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Colorado Buffaloes Can the Buffs take the next step?
Last season18-14, 7-9 Big 12 (NIT first round, lost to Southern Illinois)
CoachRicardo Patton (sixth season, 75-62; 75-62 overall)
Projected starting lineupG Jose Winston, 5-11, Jr.Not a great shooter, but a defensive marvel; broke Chauncey Billups' single-season steals record (62) by 20.
G Nick Mohr, 6-5, Jr.
F Michel Morandais, 6-6, Fr.
F Jamahl Mosley, 6-8, Sr.
C Richard Fox, 6-11, So.
Top guy off the benchF Stephane Pelle, 6-8, So.This heir apparent to Mosley may start if Morandais doesn't pan out; had five double-doubles a year ago.
Key gamesat California (Dec. 9). The Buffaloes rammed the Bears a year ago in Boulder.vs. Missouri (Jan. 10). CU's first home league game should reveal plenty about how this team can handle the Big 12's best. at Nebraska (Feb. 3). The Buffs lost in Lincoln in 2000, and cannot afford to do so again if they hope to contend.
OutlookThis is the prototypical tweener team. Good enough for an upset or two (see Oklahoma, Iowa State) but liable to drop an easy one (see Nebraska, Texas A&M), Patton's troops have finished 7-9 in the Big 12 for three straight years. There's no reason to believe that pattern won't continue. The Buffaloes have a nice frontcourt with Mosley, Fox and Pelle, but who will replace the clutch shooting of departed Jaquay Walls? Morandais, Mohr and freshman Blair Wilson are the best candidates, but hardly sure things. Another NIT berth is realistic, especially with their non-conference schedule.--Adam Thompson
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