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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trevor Cook

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

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

Guard - Levin Knutson - 6-4 sophomore

Forward - Trey Eckloff - 6-9 freshman

Forward - Casey Crawford - 6-9 sophomore