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Published Jan 20, 2009
Game Preview: CU, Tech hope to bust slumps
Brock Batchko
RedRaiderSports.com Staff Writer
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    D'Walyn Roberts has seven double-figure scoring
    efforts this season after having just one a year ago. He has 123 points,
    more than double his output from all of 2007-08 (55 points).
  • During their current three-game losing streak, Texas Tech has given up
  • an average of 76.3 points per game.
    COLORADO NOTES
    • Sophomore guard
    • Cory Higgins led the Buffaloes with 20 points against
      Kansas. He has scored in double figures in all but one game this season,
      including 20 points or more six times.
       
    • Higgins was 12-of-12 from the free throw line versus KU. He has made
    • 71-of-74 (.959) from the charity stripe over the last 11 outings and has 102
      free throws made in 2008-09, more than any Big 12 player.
       
    • Freshman forward
    • Austin Dufault has scored in double digits nine times
      this year. He has grabbed at least five rebounds in four consecutive
      outings.
       
    • CU is shooting 82.4-percent (108-of-131) from the free throw line over
    • the past seven games. Eight of 11 players who have gone to the stripe during
      that time are hitting at 75-percent or better.
      OKORIE EXPANDING ROLE AS THIRD GUARD
      After back to back thirteen point games, shooting guard Nick Okorie struggled
      from the floor in the disappointing loss to Texas. The streaky junior was just
      2-of-8 shooting and missed all three of his three point attempts. With Tech
      struggling to score for long stretches against the Longhorns, it is critical
      that Okorie step his offensive game up in order for the Red Raiders to secure
      their first conference victory.
      Against Baylor it was evident how much better the Red Raiders are when Okorie is
      playing well. He went 6 for 11 on field goals and was arguably Tech's best
      player. Bringing that effort every night will be critical as the season goes on
      especially with the loss of Tyree Graham. Okorie will now be counted on to
      handle the ball more as well as occasionally run the offense. Effectively
      creating shots for himself as well as others is an area of his game on which Okorie must improve
      to make Pat Knight's offense run at its optimal level.
      ABOUT COLORADO
      Colorado travels to Lubbock for a matchup between two teams looking for their
      first victory. The Buffs come to town as a youthful bunch that has been
      inconsistent for most of the season. Losses to Montana State, Vermont, and
      Buffalo have been the low points for the Buffs season. A 75-56 win over Colorado
      State is the lone decent win for a team that has failed to win a ball game
      against a team from one of the big six conferences.
      Against opponents in common with the Red Raiders, Colorado is 0-2 with losses to
      Stanford and TCU. The Horned Frogs were able to limit the Buffs to just 46
      points, Tech was able to put 80 on the Frogs. Against Stanford however, the
      performance was much better as they lost by 14 in a game that was much closer
      than the final score indicated. The Red Raiders on the other hand were run out
      of the gym by Stanford in a 45 point throttling.
      Recently, the Colorado struggles have come on the defensive end. Against
      Missouri in the conference opener, the Buffs were scorched for a season high 107
      points. They followed that performance up by giving up 73 points against Kansas.
      Both totals were above their season average which has risen to 66.9 points per
      game.
      From a personnel standpoint, Colorado is severely limited on the offensive end.
      With only one player averaging over 12 points, the Buffaloes are ranked 11th in
      scoring offense in the Big 12 at 66.9 points per game. The offensive
      difficulties have led to Colorado being the only Big 12 team with a negative
      scoring margin (-.1).
      Their number one weapon on offense is
      Cory Higgins (17.6 ppg). He is a 6-5 guard
      that also does a solid job of crashing the boards and pulling six boards per game.
      The number two option is
      Arlington (TX) Martin product
      Dwight Thorne. Thorne is a
      steady shooter that rarely forces shots. On the season, he is averaging 11.8
      points per game on 53-percent shooting. Pressure defense can get to the guard duo as
      they are combining to average five turnovers per game while only averaging 4.6
      assists.
      In the post, Austin Dufault is having a solid freshman year, averaging 9.4
      points per game. His shooting has been a bit shaky lately as he has gone just 14
      for his last 39. His rebounding has been improving over the course of the
      season, and he has 5 or more boards in each of the last 4 outings. His
      performance against fellow freshman
      Robert Lewandowski will be a key matchup
      that both coaches will keep a close eye on.
      THE THREE KEYS
      1. Knock down open shots. Tech struggled mightily from the floor
      against UT shooting a season low 34-percent. Alan Voskuil and John Roberson have to hit
      their open jumpers to keep teams from being able to double Mike Singletary and
      Robert Lewandowski in the post.
      2. Trevor Cook. The Red Raiders desperately need another scoring
      option to step up and contribute consistently on the offensive end.
      has proven he can provide a scoring punch given the opportunity but has been
      hampered by a back injury for most of the season. His low post defense is also
      steady as he can come from the weak side to block shots.
      3. Play with heart. Texas Tech must come out and play with energy and
      desire if they hope to record the first conference win. Coming out flat is a
      very real possibility after the disappointing blowout in their last game. This
      must be avoided because while Colorado is the Big 12's worst team, they will
      approach this game as their best chance to steal a Big 12 road game.
      THE COLORADO LINE-UP
      The starters
      Guard - Nate Tomlinson - 6-2 freshman
      Guard - Corey Higgins - 6-5 sophomore
      Guard - Dwight Thorne - 6-2 junior
      Forward - J.Jackson-Wilson - 6-6 senior
      Forward/center - Austin Dufault - 6-8 freshman
      The reserves
      Guard - Levin Knutson - 6-4 sophomore
      Forward - Trey Eckloff - 6-9 freshman
      Forward - Casey Crawford - 6-9 sophomore