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FEBRUARY 25, 2011, 2:40 PM CU assistant Rohn gives scouting report on Texas By TOM KENSLER | No Comments

BOULDER – Colorado men’s coach Tad Boyle has a terrific “scout” on his staff for Saturday’s home game against fifth-ranked Texas.

First-year CU assistant coach Mike Rohn spent the previous three years as director of basketball operations at Texas A&M. As Big 12 South rivals, the Aggies played the Longhorns twice each season.

I asked Rohn what makes Texas such a good rebounding team. The Longhorns top the Big 12 in that statistical category, and also in field-goal percentage defense.

“It starts with their players, which people will see when they walk in,” Rohn said. “They’ve got the height, the athleticism and obviously something that coach (Rick) Barnes really emphasizes. They have an aggression about them, on top of the size and athleticism, and that makes them a really great rebounding team.

“For us, it will come down to all five guys getting rebounds against them. Against Texas Tech, our guards did a really nice job of helping us on the boards. We’ve got guards that can really . That just helps us. Physically, we’re not overpowering (in the frontcourt). Those guys are trying like crazy to box out. It’s hard to box out and go get it sometimes, especially when you’re overmatched.”

Rohn was asked if he is surprised that Texas (24-4, 12-1 Big 12) leads the conference standings, considering that the Longhorns had to replace three key starters from last year’s squad: guard , forward and .

“I’m one of those guys that expects Texas to be really good every year, that’s the standard that they’ve set,” Rohn said. “I will say I think their freshmen have been able to assume a bigger role than some may have expected. That has allowed them to be really good. and are really good defensive players, which you don’t find a lot in freshmen.

“Thompson gives them a dimension, with his size and quickness and his alertness on defense. He can protect the basket. They didn’t have a shot-blocker last year. They had beef with Dexter Pittman, but not a guy that will everything.”

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Nothing's bigger than Texas for CU Buffs

Boyle's Buffs know knocking off No. 5 Longhorns would be boost to postseason hopes

By Ryan Thorburn Camera Sports Writer Boulder Daily Camera

Posted:02/25/2011 06:40:15 PM MST

The Buffs have been playing basketball since the 1901-02 season.

No player in the history of the program will have played more games in a Colorado uniform after today than Cory Higgins.

So where does CU's game against No. 5 Texas (2 p.m., Altitude2) rank on the senior guard's list of important tilts?

At the top.

"I think this is the biggest game of my career so far," said Higgins, who will tie Stephane Pelle (1999-2003) and Will Smith (1996-2000) for most career games played at CU at 123. "It means the most because we're playing for the most right now and we have a top-five team coming in. This is the biggest game I've had."

The Buffs (17-11, 6-7) were suffering through a painful rebuilding process during Higgins' first three seasons in Boulder, which all ended with losing records.

The march to March is more interesting this winter with three games remaining in the regular season. A record fourth sellout at the Coors Events Center today attests to the program's progress under first-year head coach Tad Boyle.

CU's postseason opportunities would be greatly enhanced with a strong finish that included an upset of the Big 12-leading Longhorns (24-4, 12-1).

"It's big because of who we're playing, when we're playing them, and what it means in terms of our postseason aspirations," Boyle said. "We're going to get their best shot, there's no doubt. But you wouldn't want it any other way."

The Longhorns will be focused on getting a victory in their final appearance at the Coors Events Center as a conference foe because they are chasing an outright Big 12 title and a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Not to mention the fact that Nebraska fans stormed the court a week ago after the Cornhuskers upset then-No. 3 Texas.

"It's a big game because it's the next game, but when you've got Texas coming in here, they're one of the top teams in the nation," said. "So that makes it a big game for everyone."

Texas ranks second nationally in field-goal percentage defense (36.7 percent) and leads the Big 12 in rebounding (40.9 rpg). Dynamic sophomore Jordan Hamilton leads the talented roster in scoring (18.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.5 rpg).

"They're animals on the glass," Higgins said. "But if we're dialed in and execute the game plan, I think we'll be fine."

TODAY: The Colorado Buffs (17-11, 6-7) host the No. 5 (24-4, 12-1) at 2 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.

BROADCAST: Television on Altitude2 with Dave Armstrong (play-by-play) and Jon Sundvold (analyst). Radio on KKZN (760 AM) with Mark Johnson (play-by-play) and Chris Lewis (analyst).

STORY LINES: The Buffs are coming off a 71-68 victory at Texas Tech. ... Levi Knutson scored 18 points off the bench as CU won its third true road game. ... CU is 13-2 at the Coors Events Center. With wins over Texas and Nebraska the Buffs would set a program record for home wins (15). ... This will be the fourth sellout of the season, a Coors Events Center record. ... The Longhorns are coming off a 76-53 victory over Iowa State on Tuesday in Austin. ... Texas has won by double digits in 11 conference games. ... Reserve forward Alexis Wangmene has been suspended for today's game after

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being arrested on a drunken driving charge.

COACHES: Tad Boyle is 17-11 in his first season at CU. Rick Barnes is 318-118 in his 13th season at Texas.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Colorado -- G Nate Tomlinson, 6-3, Jr., 3.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg; G Marcus Relphorde, 6-7, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg; G Alec Burks, 6-6, So., 19.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg; G Cory Higgins, 6-5, Sr., 16.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg; F Austin Dufault, 6-9, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg. Texas -- G Jordan Hamilton, 6-7, So., 18.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg; G Dogus Balbay, 6-1, Sr., 4.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg; G Cory Joseph, 6-3, Fr., 10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg; F Gary Johnson, 6-6, Sr., 11.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg; F Tristan Thompson, 6-8, Fr., 12.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg.

KEY STAT: Cory Higgins will play his 123rd career game today, tying the school record for most games played at CU. He ties Stephane Pelle (1999-2003) and Will Smith (1996-2000).

SERIES: Texas leads 14-8 and brings a six-game winning streak against CU into the final Big 12 matchup between the programs. The Buffs have a 5-4 edge in Boulder.

UP NEXT: The Buffs will begin March on the road against Iowa State next Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum (5:30 p.m., no television)

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One Chauncey Billups mural replaced at CU

By Ryan Thorburn Camera Sports Writer Boulder Daily Camera

Posted:02/26/2011 12:02:47 AM MST

Chauncey Billups also has been traded out at the Coors Events Center.

At least figuratively.

There is still a giant mural of the former Colorado superstar in the northeast corner of the arena as part of his "Chauncey`s Kid Roundup" program.

But in the southeast corner the giant image of Billups has been replaced by a mural of the Flatirons, which includes a message for visiting teams:

Welcome to 5,345 feet of Rocky Mountain Altitude

"I had nothing to do with it, but I do like it," first-year CU head coach Tad Boyle said. "The altitude obviously helps, but the other thing that really helps is our fans have been incredible."

CU`s game today against No. 5 Texas is the fourth sellout of the season at the Coors Events Center. That`s a record for the 32-year-old venue, despite the ongoing construction of the new practice facility that limits patrons to one entrance.

"Having this be the fourth sellout this year is a testament to our fans," Boyle said. "It`s not an easy trek sometimes to get to the Coors Events Center this year, so my hat is off to them for what they`ve given us this year."

The familiar red and buff sandstone rocks found in most of the buildings on the CU campus are starting to be installed on the practice facility. The basketball and volleyball programs should be able to start using the new digs when the $10.8 million project is completed in August.

"You see it change every day, and I can`t wait for it to be open and for our guys to be in there working on their game this summer and preparing for more great days ahead for Colorado basketball," Boyle said.

The real Billups, who was traded by the Nuggets to the on Tuesday, will have an open invitation to use the facility during his offseason or whenever he is back home in Denver.

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Big Colorado guards could challenge Longhorns By Mark Rosner AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Published: 11:10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, 2011

A newly installed sign at the southeast corner of the Coors Events Center provides both a greeting and warning to basketball teams that will face the Colorado Buffaloes.

"Welcome to 5,345 Feet Of Rocky Mountain Altitude."

Working at this altitude is a concern for visitors, at least to some degree, but Longhorns coach Rick Barnes appears more focused on other heights: 6-foot-6-inch Alec Burks , 6-5 Cory Higgins and 6-4 Levi Knutson .

They are three good-sized guards who can make life challenging, even for the fifth-ranked Longhorns, regarded by some analysts as the top defensive team in the nation.

As Barnes prepared Texas to face Colorado today, he detected some of the same skills that Nebraska used to beat the Longhorns 70-67 a week ago in Lincoln.

"Colorado is a team that loves driving the ball," Barnes said.

The Longhorns had difficulty defending Nebraska's driving guards when the Huskers spread out their offense. Iowa State had some success with that approach in the first half of a game on Tuesday that the Longhorns eventually dominated.

That type of offense can produce layups as well as open perimeter shots when the Longhorns try to help defensively in the lane.

Now comes Colorado, adept at similar strategy. Burks averages 19 points a game, three more than Higgins. Knutson, a reserve, averages nearly 12 with 47 percent accuracy on three-point shots, best in the Big 12.

Colorado, 6-7 in the league, is 4-2 at home. The Buffs beat Missouri, earmarked for the NCAA tournament, by 13 points in Boulder. Colorado defeated Kansas State, a team that has recently enhanced its NCAA résumé, at the Coors Center. The Buffs also won at Kansas State. Third-ranked Kansas left Boulder with a four-point victory.

Tad Boyle , Colorado's first-year coach, said strong fan support has helped; the 11,064-seat arena has been full for three of the six Big 12 home games.

"The crowds have given our players a lot of energy," said Boyle, who also asserts that altitude is a factor.

"A lot of people might pooh-pooh that and say it's not a big deal," Boyle said. "I think it really helps us. If we play at the (quick) tempo we want, you can really see the effects in the second half."

Kansas State coach Frank Martin disagrees.

"I think the only thing that matters is that their players are good, and Tad has done a heck of a job with them," Martin said. "The altitude, I think it affects you the first couple minutes of the game."

Longhorn strength coach Todd Wright said the impact of playing at this altitude is uncertain. Nevertheless, the Longhorns, who have played in Boulder once every other season in the Big 12,

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changed their travel plans beginning in 2007. They arrive in Boulder fewer than 24 hours before the game.

Wright said that on previous trips, including defeats in 2003 and 2005, the Longhorns arrived within a 48- hour window. The Longhorns won at Colorado in 2007 and 2009.

Wright said the change was made after he consulted a strength coach from the NFL's Denver Broncos.

"He said if you can get there within a 24-hour period, it could give you a better chance," Wright said.

Even so, Wright has no real proof of that idea. During the 2007 game at Colorado, Wright, using monitors that wrap around the players' chests, determined that there was no difference in heart rates from when they played in Austin.

"The players are the only ones who are going to really know if there is really a difference," Wright said.

In 2007, at least one of them noticed a difference. Longhorn freshman was winded less than two minutes into the game.

"I was about to cry," Durant said before heading back to Austin.

Durant produced 37 points and 16 rebounds in that game, an indication of quick recovery from his initial reaction. Then again, as one longtime Colorado resident said, "He might have had 37 playing on Pikes Peak."

Regardless, the Buffs enjoy suggesting to their guests the potential for problems. There is a reminder of the altitude in the visiting coaches' locker room.

There used to be a sign in the visiting players' locker room as well.

A Colorado spokesman said that changed last season, when Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel , who did not like the message, pulled it off the wall.

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