BOULDER — Not meaning any physical harm, Colorado intends to give Baylor big man Ekpe Udoh several on the chin tonight at the Coors Events Center.
The best way to play against a shot blocker such as Udoh is to take the ball right at him, CU men’s basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik said Monday. A springy, 6-foot-10 junior transfer from Michigan, Udoh leads the Big 12 Conference in blocked shots (4.7 per game) and rebounds (11.3).
To be successful, Bzdelik said the Buffaloes (9-6, 0-1 Big 12) can’t shy away from Udoh, who also averages 14.1 points.
“(Udoh) is going to be making a lot of money (in the NBA) very soon,” said Bzdelik, a former Nuggets coach. “He’s so talented and long. What you need to do against players like that is take it to their chin, because if you try to avoid their body, their length enables them to still block the shot.
“If you take it strong to the rim, at their chin, that draws the shot blocker. Then you need to make a good decision to either try to draw contact or kick it to an open teammate.”
Udoh, who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules, may be the league’s hottest player. On Monday, Udoh was named Big 12 player of the week. It marked the second straight week he earned the award.
Baylor (13-1, 1-0) had to replace three starters from last season and rates as one of the league’s early surprises — in large part because of Udoh. The Bears come off a 91-60 dismantling of Oklahoma on Saturday in Waco; Udoh blocked seven shots.
“We all know from a defensive mind-set what Ekpe has done for us,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said Monday on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. “But I think the best thing about Ekpe is his intangibles. His leadership has been huge for us.”
Bzdelik said he will give 6-10 freshman Shane Harris-Tunks his second straight start. The Aussie center will replace 6-9 sophomore forward Austin Dufault for a better matchup.
“On defense against Udoh, you need to try to straighten his legs out so he can’t jump and is not as agile,” Harris-Tunks said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
