BOULDER — Big 12 basketball is not for the faint of heart.
“It’s not for kids. It’s for grown men,” Colorado freshman guard Alec Burks said this week when asked what he expects. “I know it’s going to be a hard fight for every game.”
More like for every possession. Big 12 hoops, on both the men’s and women’s sides, figures to be as strong as it has ever been in the league’s 14-year history. Kansas and Texas, each unbeaten at 14-0, rank 1-2 in the men’s polls, and Kansas State (13-1) is ranked 11th.
As for the women: seven — yes, seven — Big 12 teams speckle The Associated Press top 25 poll, led by No. 5 Baylor.
Fasten your seat belts. This could be one wild ride. Make that two wild rides. League play begins Saturday.
“I call it the ‘Big Nasty’ instead of the Big 12,” CU men’s coach Jeff Bzdelik said. “I know what we’re up against. I think our players do too.”
For the Colorado men’s and women’s teams, there is only one way to go after finishing at the bottom of the Big 12 standings last season. Bolstered by athletic newcomers, improvement is anticipated for both programs. But the depth and strength of the league will make it difficult for either program to make a quantum leap up the standings.
The league’s schedule-makers weren’t exactly kind to the Colorado men (9-5), starting out the Buffaloes with one of the Big 12’s toughest challenges — a Saturday road game against second-ranked Texas in Austin.
The CU women (10-3) open their conference schedule Saturday at home with a noon tipoff against Missouri (10-3) at the Coors Events Center. The Buffs went 3-13 in league play last season but have more confidence and scoring options, thanks to the additions of in-state freshmen Chucky Jeffery, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Colorado Springs Sierra, and 6-2 forward Meagan Malcolm- Peck, an all-stater at Horizon last season.
Colorado continues to be led by junior forward Brittany Spears (19.8 points per game), while senior guard Bianca Smith (14.4), provides instant offense off the bench.
“They are getting better and becoming smarter basketball players,” CU coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. “They are coming together.”
Two new starters have added athleticism and scoring to the men’s team. Junior-college transfer Marcus Relphorde, a 6-7 swingman, averages 9.7 points and provides some much-needed maturity, having begun his college career at Division I Saint Louis. The bouncy, 6-6 Burks averages 16.3 points and a team-best 5.0 rebounds. He has star potential.
With 6-5 junior Cory Higgins (18.4) and Burks, Colorado’s tandem of wing players can match up with any pair in the conference. Rebounding could be a season- long challenge. At times, CU starts four perimeter plays with 6-9 sophomore Austin Dufault, a finesse forward. It would help if 6-11 freshman center Shane Harris-Tunks could progress enough to warrant more playing time.
CU went 1-15 in conference play last season. The Buffs already have matched last season’s victory total.
“We’re building. It’s a slow process,” Bzdelik said. “Last year we gained experience the hard way. This year we have more weapons, we’re more athletic. But everything is relative. We’ve gotten much better, but the league has too.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
BIG 12 BASKETBALL
Tough opening acts
The Big 12 Conference men’s and women’s basketball slates start this weekend, with Colorado facing two tough tests.
Colorado men (9-5)
Leaders: Scoring — Cory Higgins (18.4 points per game), Alec Burks (16.3). Rebounds — Burks (5.0).
Upcoming schedule
Saturday at Texas 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday Baylor 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 Kansas State 2 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Oklahoma State 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Texas A&M 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 27 Nebraska 8 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Iowa State 7 p.m.
Colorado women (10-3)
Leaders: Scoring — Brittany Spears (19.8), Bianca Smith (14.4). Rebounds — Spears (8.7), Meagan Malcolm-Peck (5.8).
Upcoming schedule
Saturday Missouri noon
Tuesday at Texas Tech 6 p.m.
Jan. 16 Iowa State 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Kansas State 6 p.m.
Jan. 24 Oklahoma State 2 p.m.
Jan. 27 at Kansas 6 p.m.
Jan. 30 Nebraska 3:30 p.m.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Altitude is airing it out.
Stan Kroenke’s flagship cable television channel exists for stretches like this. Between now and Monday, six games will air on Altitude or Altitude2 with the NBA’s Nuggets and NHL’s Avalanche.
Tonight and Saturday night features two Altitude doubleheaders, with early Avs games followed immediately by late Nuggets games. Tonight, the Avs drop the puck with Carolina at 5 p.m., and the Nuggets go against Cleveland at 8:30 p.m. The Nugs-Cavs game is the hottest ticket in town, with LeBron James and crew tipping off at the Pepsi Center. The 8:30 p.m. game is ESPN’s national game of the night.
On Saturday, the Avs-Nugs Altitude double-dip is entirely a road affair. The Avs play at Buffalo at 5 p.m., then the Nugs go against Sacramento at 8 p.m. Between pregame shows and locker-room reports, programming will be a marathon.
Then on Monday, the Nugs host Minnesota at The Can at 7 p.m., airing on Altitude, while the Avs go against the Flames in Calgary on Altitude2 at 8 p.m.
Lost in the shuffle Saturday will be the Colorado Mammoth, which opens its National Lacrosse League season at Washington at 8:30 p.m. But a quirk left them un-televised, off even Altitude2.
GET OFF THE COUCH
A full slate of festivities.
Lift a spoon to the skies as the oatmeal flows free Saturday. The streets will spill over with breakfast fun as the annual Oatmeal Festival 5K runs (and walks) through the streets of Lafayette starting at 9:30 a.m.
The Oatmeal fest has become a fan favorite over its 13 years, likely because the fun is packed into the day tighter than a bag of brown sugar. Racers come for the 5K in the morning, then stay for breakfast. And the festival earns its description, with a health fair, baking contest, blood drive, games, pet adoption and museum programs throughout the day.
Check for more information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Top Division II talent on display.
A day after college football crowns its big-school national champion, Division II will trot out its all-stars.
The Cactus Bowl — kicking off today (at 5:30 p.m.) from Kingsville, Texas — brings together two teams of D-II stars at Javelina Stadium. The rosters include two from Colorado: CSU-Pueblo’s standout linebacker Chase Vaughn (a graduate of Smoky Hill High School) and Colorado Mines star receiver Adam Saur.
Two other Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference players, Chadron State tight end Isaac Stockton (of Colorado Springs’ Mitchell) and wide receiver Brandon Harrington, will also play.
The game airs on Fox College Sports (Direct TV channel 617).
