KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Casey’s been on deck and could not be more eager to step up and make a big hit with the Colorado men’s basketball team.
That’s Casey Crawford, a 6-foot-9 forward-center who sat out this season after playing his freshman year at Wake Forest. In a bit of irony that did not go unnoticed, as the Buffaloes waved goodbye to Kansas City and the season with Friday’s 54-49 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, the CU coaching staff already looked forward to the arrival of the Kansas City kid.
Crawford earned 2006 Kansas Gatorade player of the year honors after averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds at Overland Park’s Blue Valley High School in suburban K.C. While he won’t join the CU lineup until next season, Crawford has been in Boulder for almost a year, unable to play due to NCAA transfer rules. But did he ever make his presence felt in practice.
Colorado assistant Steve McClain was asked to put a number on Crawford’s shooting range. McClain thought for a while and gave up.
“I guess you could say Casey can step out as far as you need to step out and shoot the 3,” McClain said.
That’s not exaggerating by much, players say. When the 3-point arc is moved back by 12 inches in the college game next season, it will no doubt affect some shooters. Crawford won’t even notice.
“He pretty much has unlimited range with his shot,” CU freshman guard Cory Higgins said, shaking his head.
What will that do for Jeff Bzdelik’s Princeton-style passing offense? Everything, coaches say. Opposing big men must step out to cover Crawford. That will free up space along the baseline for cutters seeking backdoor passes. Most defenses didn’t bother to guard 6-9 Marcus King-Stockton. Passing lanes remained congested.
Bzdelik’s Air Force teams probably had more backdoor layups in one game than CU executed during the entire season. On Friday, the Buffs hit just 6-of-25 from 3-point range against the Sooners.
CU coaches are hoping Crawford can impact the Buffs the way 6-11 Kevin Pittsnogle did at West Virginia a few years ago.
“A big part of this offense is a five-man who can shoot,” Crawford explained. “This year, when we set a screen and roll, our guards couldn’t go anywhere because they ran right into a big guy.
“Coach (Bzdelik) was always pointing that out. He said, ‘Casey, see how they’re guarding us? That’s why we brought you here, so you can stretch the defense.’ ”
Crawford did not fit in Wake Forest’s conventional offense and rarely got off the bench in his lone season with the Demon Deacons. He totaled 10 points in nine games and decided to leave, picking CU over Northwestern, which also runs a Princeton-style attack.
Crawford missed the last several weeks of CU practices when his left foot was placed in a protective boot to help three stress fractures heal. Crawford has no history of foot problems, so nobody seems to be concerned about his durability.
“Casey was really starting to progress when he had to stop,” McClain said. “You could see what he’s really going to bring to us next year. When he was on the scout team, people had a hard time guarding him.”
Including transfers and redshirts, Colorado (12-20, 3-13 Big 12) will have at least seven new players next season. Bzdelik has two additional scholarships to give this spring and said he likely will use them. One roster spot became available Friday when Bzdelik released November signee Javonte Clanton, a guard who recently had been kicked off his Blinn (Junior) College team in Texas after the coach learned that Clanton planned to leave early for spring break and would miss playoff games.
Help on the way
CU men’s basketball player additions for 2008-09:
Casey Crawford, 6-foot-9 sophomore, forward-center: Transfer from Wake Forest was Kansas HS Gatorade player of the year in 2006. Exceptional long-range shooter working on post moves.
Adam Dufault, 6-8 freshman, forward: Averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds as a senior at tiny Kildeer (N.D.) High. He picked CU over Minnesota, Arizona State and Washington State. Possesses polished scoring skills.
Trey Eckloff, 6-9 freshman, forward-center: Became more of a focal point at Cherry Creek, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds as a senior. Another jump-shooting big man but needs to mature physically.
Nate Tomlinson, 6-2 freshman, point guard: Australian who played at Lee (Maine) Academy, Tomlinson averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 assists as a senior. Take- charge floor leader likely to start immediately.
Toby Veal, 6-7½ freshman, forward: A superior athlete from Savannah (Ga.) Johnson High, Veal picked CU over Auburn and Colorado State. Averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds as senior. Pegged as an immediate contributor.
Jeremy Williams, 6-7 sophomore, forward: Redshirted this season because of academic reasons. Started 18 games for Buffs as true freshman in 2006-07, averaging 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 27 games. A favorite in practice of CU coach Jeff Bzdelik.
Kyle Wright, 6-6 sophomore, guard: Walk-on who averaged 2.8 points in 2006-07 at Division I Stony Brook. Former co-captain at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
