Patton takes Buffs to run and gun with Seahawks

Maybe just what Colorado needs.

North Carolina Wilmington invites the Buffs over for some basketball Wednesday at its' place and I would assume, at 1-3 on the season, plans to play the role of good host.

The Seahawks beat Belmont to open the campaign before falling to Tennessee, Campbell and Charleston, not exactly anyone's Final Four.

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NC Wilmington is giving up an average of 90 points a game.

If Ricardo Patton's young team can't score the ball at will on these guys, then we need to launch an investigation. The question then becomes can CU slow the Seahawks just enough to leave town with a victory?

The Buffs' opponent does shoot the ball well and places four players in double figures, led by 6-foot-10, 255-pound Canadian center Vladimir Kuljanin, who posts a line of 17.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game.

Temi Soyebo, a slender 6-foot guard, averages 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and six assists a contest.

It's obvious NC Wilmington can get good shots and knock them down from the perimeter. For CU to get the win, they will have to get back on defense, stay with its' man and, you know, crowd him just a little, to the point of smelling the shooter's breath.

Time for Richard Roby to bust out with a big effort, Dominique Coleman to "get his" and forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson to continue his strong all-around play. That trio rolls, then it's time for freshman point guard Kal Bay (pictured) to make strides offensively as well as starting to take control of the team when he's on the floor.

And also on the Black and Gold Breakdown's chalkboard is for the Buffs to start to develop a rotation and chemistry. It also wouldn't hurt to see some "big" make his presence felt.

If CU thinks this is nothing more than a scrimmage, it is going to get beat. If it sees the opportunity to pile up points with team play and getting a little dirty on defense and on the boards, it should get the much-needed victory and allow Patton to lose the pack of dogs chasing him with every lackluster performance.

Buffs honored

Three CU players have been recognized for their achievement on the field despite a 2-10 season.

Kicker Mason Crosby, defensive end Abraham Wright and cornerback Terrence Wheatley all get picked by Big 12 coaches as top-level talents at their respective positions.

Crosby, the Buffs' all-time leading scorer, is named to the team for the third-straight season.

Wright excelled as a pass rusher with 11 1/2 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.

Wheatley came back from serious injury that could have ended his career to intercept five passes, break up 11 more and record 11 third-down stops.

CU had playmakers in 2006, just precious few of them. Crosby, Wright and Wheatley were the type of talents the Buffs needed more of to be a winner.