QUICKLY: Colorado brings a 24-consecutive home game winning streak (non-conference games) into tonight's contest. The Buffs were 12-0 last season, 8-0 in 2009-10, and won their last four in 2008-09. The 24-game streak ranks second all-time in school history. The Buffs won 35-straight at home from Dec. 4, 1976 thru Dec. 5, 1981.
SEASON OPENER: The Buffaloes have won three straight season openers (lost 2007-08 to New Mexico, 54-47), and 14 of their last 15 openers. Since 1996-97, the Buffs are 11-1 in Boulder; 2-0 on the road; 1-0 on a neutral floor.
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE PREVIEW: The Skyhawks lost six seniors to graduation a year ago and returns Matt Morris, a 6-foot-6 senior center from Durango. Morris was named to the RMAC Preseason All-Conference Team. As a junior, he averaged 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He was picked to the All-RMAC second team in 2011-12, and also received a bevy of academic accolades, including RMAC All-Academic Player of the Year, Capitol One All-District VII second team, RMAC All-Academic first team, and the D-2 Athletic Directors Association/WeatherPORT Academic Achievement Award.
Skyhawk head coach Bob Hofman begins his 16th season at FLC and 23rd overall as a head coach in the collegiate ranks, and will be gunning for his 400th collegiate victory when he leads his troops against his alma mater. Hofman played point-guard for the Buffs from 1970-74 (2.1 ppg., 0.9 rpg.) and was an assistant coach at CU from 1981-83 with former head coach Tom Apke.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: Andre Roberson made a name for himself in Boulder last year shattering the freshman record with 297 rebounds. By the way, he also set the freshman record for steals (51) and blocks (42) in his initial season becoming just the fourth Big 12 Conference player to lead all three categories for his team (others were: Michael Beasley, Kansas State; Antoine Wright, Texas A&M; Kevin Durant, Texas).
BLOCKS & BOARDS: Andre Roberson became the sixth CU freshman to lead the team in blocked shots (the others: Shane Harris-Tunks, David Harrison, Stephane Pelle, Carlton Carter, Matt Bullard). In addition, Roberson was 100th nationally in rebounding per game (7.8 rpg.) and tied for fifth nationally in freshman rebounding (only player with zero starts). Of the top six freshman rebounders, Roberson ranked second of the six per 40 minutes on the glass.
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There are so many unknowns for the team this year, that this should be a good first start for them. Get what should be an easy win, at home, before heading to Puerto Rico for murderers row. We've heard a lot about how the team is emphasizing defense this year, so this is a good chance for them to show it.
Other things to watch:
* The newcomers -- Brown, Adams, Dinwiddie and Booker should all play. Will Cain? What about the walk-on Beau Webb?
* Frontcourt -- This should be a confidence building game for our bigs. Fort Lewis has one starter that's 6'9" and another that's 6'6". The others are all 6' or below. Dinwiddie could almost be a PF for them. Hopefully we can see SHT start to get some confidence back.
* Fort Lewis' head coach is Bob Hofman. Hofman was a PG for the Buffs from 1970-74 (averaging 2.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg) and was an assistant at CU from 1981-83 under Tom Apke.
Finally, if you don't have tickets to the game, get your ass to the Dark Horse for pre-game. Find the tall, balding guy in the AllBuffs shirt who answers to the name "Goose" and bring a copy of the thread announcing the get together and you're going to the game for free. First come first serve, so find me early.
SEASON OPENER: The Buffaloes have won three straight season openers (lost 2007-08 to New Mexico, 54-47), and 14 of their last 15 openers. Since 1996-97, the Buffs are 11-1 in Boulder; 2-0 on the road; 1-0 on a neutral floor.
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE PREVIEW: The Skyhawks lost six seniors to graduation a year ago and returns Matt Morris, a 6-foot-6 senior center from Durango. Morris was named to the RMAC Preseason All-Conference Team. As a junior, he averaged 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He was picked to the All-RMAC second team in 2011-12, and also received a bevy of academic accolades, including RMAC All-Academic Player of the Year, Capitol One All-District VII second team, RMAC All-Academic first team, and the D-2 Athletic Directors Association/WeatherPORT Academic Achievement Award.
Skyhawk head coach Bob Hofman begins his 16th season at FLC and 23rd overall as a head coach in the collegiate ranks, and will be gunning for his 400th collegiate victory when he leads his troops against his alma mater. Hofman played point-guard for the Buffs from 1970-74 (2.1 ppg., 0.9 rpg.) and was an assistant coach at CU from 1981-83 with former head coach Tom Apke.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: Andre Roberson made a name for himself in Boulder last year shattering the freshman record with 297 rebounds. By the way, he also set the freshman record for steals (51) and blocks (42) in his initial season becoming just the fourth Big 12 Conference player to lead all three categories for his team (others were: Michael Beasley, Kansas State; Antoine Wright, Texas A&M; Kevin Durant, Texas).
BLOCKS & BOARDS: Andre Roberson became the sixth CU freshman to lead the team in blocked shots (the others: Shane Harris-Tunks, David Harrison, Stephane Pelle, Carlton Carter, Matt Bullard). In addition, Roberson was 100th nationally in rebounding per game (7.8 rpg.) and tied for fifth nationally in freshman rebounding (only player with zero starts). Of the top six freshman rebounders, Roberson ranked second of the six per 40 minutes on the glass.
*********************************
There are so many unknowns for the team this year, that this should be a good first start for them. Get what should be an easy win, at home, before heading to Puerto Rico for murderers row. We've heard a lot about how the team is emphasizing defense this year, so this is a good chance for them to show it.
Other things to watch:
* The newcomers -- Brown, Adams, Dinwiddie and Booker should all play. Will Cain? What about the walk-on Beau Webb?
* Frontcourt -- This should be a confidence building game for our bigs. Fort Lewis has one starter that's 6'9" and another that's 6'6". The others are all 6' or below. Dinwiddie could almost be a PF for them. Hopefully we can see SHT start to get some confidence back.
* Fort Lewis' head coach is Bob Hofman. Hofman was a PG for the Buffs from 1970-74 (averaging 2.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg) and was an assistant at CU from 1981-83 under Tom Apke.
Finally, if you don't have tickets to the game, get your ass to the Dark Horse for pre-game. Find the tall, balding guy in the AllBuffs shirt who answers to the name "Goose" and bring a copy of the thread announcing the get together and you're going to the game for free. First come first serve, so find me early.
