Texas A&M and Colorado Meet in Boulder in Big 12 Battle

Texas A&M Aggies at Colorado Buffaloes, Coors Events Center, Boulder, CO
Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Colorado -2 1/2
Current Line: Colorado -3 1/2
Opening Total: 139 1/2
Current Total: 140 1/2
Money Line: Colorado -165 / Texas A&M +145

Colorado takes on Texas A&M in a battle of Big 12 teams in Boulder, Colorado is a 3 1/2 point favorite at home.

Texas A&M is 17-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. They are still ranked in the top 25 (#22 in both polls) despite a three game losing streak to Nebraska, Texas, and Baylor. The Aggies lost at home vs Baylor Saturday in overtime 76-74. The Aggies also have losses to Boston College and at Texas. A&M lost twice to Texas both times by at least 20 points. The first loss snapped a 13 game winning streak for Texas A&M. Since then the Aggies have lost 4 out of their last 5 games. Texas A&m has wins over Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Missouri, and Kansas St. The Aggies travel to Colorado tonight. The Buffaloes are 15-9 overall and 4-5 in conference. Colorado is also in a slump having lost 5 out of their last 6 games, including an 89-73 loss at Missouri Saturday. Eight of their nine losses are on the road or at a neutral site. The Buffaloes only home loss is to #2 Kansas last month 82-78. Colorado also has losses to Georgia, San Francisco, Harvard, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Baylor. They have wins over Oregon St, Colorado St, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas St, Oklahoma St, and Iowa St. Colorado leads the series 9-8 between the teams, including 4-3 in Boulder. Texas A&m has won 7 straight in the series dating back to 2005. Colorado is 15-6 ATS at home when playing a team with a winning record the last 3 seasons. This is probably due to the altitude of Colorado. No other school in the Big 12 comes even close to the altitude of Boulder and it is difficult for the schools to adjust when playing in Boulder.

Texas A&M guard Derrek Lewis is questional with an ankle injury. He only plays around 7 minutes a game, so it isn’t that big of a deal either way. The Aggies are led by forward Khris Middleston who averages 15.1 points to lead the team, 5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals a game to lead the team. Forward David Loubeau averages 10.8 points, and 5.2 rebounds a game. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.2 assists a game. B.J. Holmes averages 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists to tie for the team lead, and 1.2 steals a game. Dash Harris ties for the team lead in assists with 3.4 a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 71-60 on the season. The Aggies are shooting 44.1% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range. The Aggies are holding opponents to 41.1% shooting from the field. A&M makes 70.8% of their free throws. The Aggies average 37.9 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +8.8. They average 14 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. They force 13.9 turnovers a game on defense. A&M averages 6.3 steals and 1.7 blocks a game.

Colorado guard Nate Tomlinson injured his ankle Saturday at Missouri and is questionable for tonight. He only scores 3 points a game, so like Lewis for A&M the loss isn’t that significant. The Buffaloes have four players averaging double digit scoring led by Guard Alec Burks. Burks is averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game. Guard Cory Higgins averages 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Levi Knutson averages 11.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Forward Marcus Relphorde averages 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists to tie for the team lead, and 1.2 steals a game. Guard Andre Roberson leads the team in rebounds with 7.5, steals with 1.5 a game, and blocks with 1 a game. Colorado is outscoring opponents 81-72 on the season. The Buffs are shooting 47.7% from the field and 37.8% from 3 point range. Colorado opponents are shooting 44.7% from the field. The Buffaloes make 78.2% of their free throws. Colorado averages 36.2 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +4.2. The Buffs average 13.8 assists and 12 turnovers a game. They force 14.8 turnovers a game on defense. Colorado averages 7.6 steals and 2.8 blocks a game.

Texas A&M Coach Mark Turgeon and Colorado Coach Tad Boyle are very close friends and know each other very well. The two were college teammates at Kansas in the mid 80’s and Boyle and Turgeon coached together for 11 years from 1994 to 2006 when Boyle became the head coach at Northern Colorado. This is Boyle’s first year at Colorado and the first time the long time friends have coached against each other. Both teams need a victory to break out of slumps and gain ground on Texas and Kansas, who are the class of the Big 12. Texas has no conference losses and Kansas only has one. Every other Big 12 team has at least 4 losses. This game should be close throughout. Colorado wants to run, and Texas A&M needs to slow down the pace and run half court sets. Whichever team can control the tempo has a good shot of winning.