Big 12 Battle in Columbia: Colorado at Missouri

Colorado Buffaloes at Missouri Tigers, Mizzou Arena, Columbia, MO
Saturday, February 5, 2011, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN Full Court Pay-per-view, Fox Sports Midwest
Opening Line: Missouri -10
Current Line: Missouri -10
Opening Total: 156 1/2
Current Total: 155 1/2
Money Line: Missouri -550 / Colorado +450

Kim English and the Missouri Tigers host Colorado in Big 12 action Saturday. The Tigers are 10 point home favorites.

Colorado upset Missouri in Boulder January 8 89-76. The two teams meet again in Columbia Saturday night. Colorado is 15-8 overall and 4-4 in the big 12. Missouri is ranked #14 in the country and is 17-5 overall and 3-4 in conference. Colorado has losses to Georgia San Francisco, Harvard, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Baylor. The Buffaloes snapped a 4 game losing streak with a 95-69 home victory over Iowa St Tuesday night. Colorado has wins over Oregon St, Colorado St, Indiana, Kansas St, and Oklahoma St in addition to the wins over Missouri and Iowa St. Missouri has losses to Georgetown, Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma St in addition to the Colorado loss. Missouri has lost back to back games at Texas and Oklahoma St. The Tigers didn’t arrive in Stillwater for the game against OSU until 6 hours before game time due to the winter weather enveloping most of the country. The Tigers lost that game 76-70 Wednesday night. Missouri has wins over Wyoming, Oregon, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Old Dominion, Nebraska, Kansas St, and Iowa St. This is a very important game for Missouri as they travel to Kansas Monday night and if they lose to Colorado tonight, it could mean a 4 game losing streak. Missouri leads the overall series 98-53, including 56-11 at home. Missouri has won and covered 4 out the last 5 meetings, and 4 out of 5 have gone over the total as well.

Colorado has no significant injuries right now. The Buffaloes have four players averaging double digit scoring led by Guard Alec Burks. Burks is averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game. Guard Cory Higgins averages 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game. Levi Knutson averages 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Forward Marcus Relphorde averages 11.5 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists to tie for the team lead, and 1.1 steals a game. Guard Andre Roberson leads the team in rebounds with 7.5, steals with 1.6 a game, and blocks with 1.1 a game. Colorado is outscoring opponents 82-72 on the season. The Buffs are shooting 48% from the field and 38% from 3 point range. Colorado opponents are shooting 44.7% from the field. The Buffaloes make 78.3% of their free throws. Colorado averages 35.8 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +3.9. The Buffs average 14 assists and 11.6 turnovers a game. They force 14.9 turnovers a game on defense. Colorado averages 7.7 steals and 2.9 blocks a game.

Missouri has no significant injuries right now. Missouri has 5 players scoring in double digits. Guard Marcus Denmon averages 16.7 points to lead the team, 3.9 rebounds, 1.97assists, and 2 steals a game to tie for the team lead. He is also shooting 47% from 3 point range. Forward Ricardo Ratliffe averages 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game. Forward Laurence Bowers averages 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Michael Dixon averages 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists to lead the team, and 2 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Guard Kim English averages 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. Missouri is outscoring opponents 83-69 on the season. Missouri is shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range. Tiger opponents are shooting 41.5% from the field. Missouri is shooting 71.2% from the free throw line. Missouri averages 37.8 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +0.8. The Tigers average 17.2 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. Missouri forces 18.4 turnovers a game on defense. They average 9.7 steals and 5.6 blocks a game.

These two teams like to run, and this could be a high scoring game. Both teams have defensive lapses sometimes. Colorado must protect the ball from Missouri’s tough pressure defense. Missouri needs this game a lot. They will probably drop out of the top 25 with a loss.