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All Things Colorado Sports » CU assistant Rohn gives scouting report on Texas » Print Page 1 of 2 All Things Colorado Sports — Blogs — The Denver Post FEBRUARY 25, 2011, 2:40 PM CU assistant Rohn gives scouting report on Texas By TOM KENSLER | No Comments BOULDER – Colorado men’s basketball 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 rebound. 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 Avery Bradley, forward Damion James and center Dexter Pittman. “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. Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph 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 block everything.” More from All Things Colorado Sports • CU’s McKnight says he’s ‘105 percent’ [1] • No Munchie or Mister for CU, but what about … [2] • CU’s Bohn: No expansion talk with Pac-10 [3] All Things Colorado Sports Recommends [4] • New Nuggets are on Twitter (All Things Nuggets) [5] • Nuggets PG Ty Lawson takes latest snub head-on (All Things Nuggets) http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2011/02/25/cu-assistant-rohn-gives-scouting-report-on-... 2/27/2011 Page 1 of 2 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," Alec Burks 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 Texas Longhorns (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 http://www.buffzone.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?articleId=174854... 2/27/2011 Page 2 of 2 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) Close Window Send To Printer http://www.buffzone.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?articleId=174854... 2/27/2011 Page 1 of 1 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.