Buffs bounced; Aggies show CU an answer

Colorado looked listless, clueless and overmatched and that's being nice.

The Buffs showed no visible signs of knowing what to do, how to adjust or how to remain in the game in Manhattan and the result of that was a 78-59 defeat at the hands of a greatly-improved but hardly outstanding Kansas State team.

CU's defense was not as sloppy as it has been most of the season but its' offense looked as though it were sleepwalking through the game. Xavier Silas and Dominique Coleman combined for 30 points and Jermyl Jackson-Wilson finished in double figures with 11 but Richard Roby played one of his worst games in a Buffs' uniform, scraping up only five points.

Cartier Martin had to take two steps back early in the season to take three steps forward under new coach Bob Huggins but it has been worth it as Martin has been getting stronger as the season goes along. He ripped CU for a game-high 25 points.

Black and Gold Truth: The Wildcats are a good team, a winner and Huggins has changed the culture in Manhattan. The Buffs knew this game was going to be a bear, especially with K-State coming off a big bouncing at the hands of Kansas earlier in the week. That CU looked so terrible in defeat is where the disillusionment comes from and that is why fans have long shook their heads at the Patton regime. Roby wasn't the only missing Buff with his play. Jeremy Williams was no factor either. How does that happen?

Sixth-ranked Texas A & M got eight 3-pointers and a career-high tying 26 points from sophomore forward Josh Carter in beating Nebraska, 66-55, in Lincoln. The Aggies badly needed Carter's explosion as Acie Law was held to but nine points.

BGT: So let me ask you a question. How did A & M win on the road on a night they get 28 combined points from Law, Joseph Jones and Antanas Kavaliauskas? Yes, a rhetorical question. Defense. The Husker battled to shoot 38 percent from the floor and got only three free-throw attempts. Novel approach, I know, this defense thing but something for CU to think about.

Ninth-ranked Kansas won easily at Missouri, 92-74, behind forward Julian Wright's career-high 33 points. Brandon Rush added 21 more in a game that saw the Jayhawks shoot 53 percent from the floor.

BGT: Wright has been an enigma -- wonderfully talented but afraid to assert himself -- and a little raw but he showed what he is capable of doing. KU had four players in double figures and once again, displayed how good they can be on any given day. Unfortunately for them, some days they just don't seem to remember how much is expected of them. The Tigers, who got 19 from solid guard Stefhon Hannah, just lack the talent of yesteryear.

No. 17 Oklahoma State was beat -- then in a frenzied effort, tied the game and sent it into overtime and double overtime where it finally got the dog off its' leg -- beating visiting Texas Tech 93-91, as Mario Boggan did in the Red Raiders with 35 points and 14 rebounds, proving again he is the best player in the Big 12 not named Kevin Durant.

BGT: The Cowboys, while oozing with potential, just continue to struggle and look to be an early casualty come postseason but Boggan carries them beyond defeat often. Bob Knight's team looked poorly coached, giving away what should have been a sure win.

Kevin Durant scored 17 points and recorded five assists and wasn't even the biggest star on his team as fellow freshman -- point guard D.J. Augustin -- exploded for 31 points to lead Texas to a 77-68 home victory over Iowa State.

BGT: Augustin has been overshadowed all season by Durant but he is one of the best young talents in college basketball. On a day when Durant was mortal and fellow guard A.J. Abrams shot 1-for-10 from the floor, Augustin was Superman and the Longhorns avoided defeat. Mike Taylor scored 26 points, had five rebounds and passed out six assists in the loss. The Cyclones have talent but are struggling through a difficult season.

Oklahoma played defense, holding Baylor to 39 percent shooting but had to fight off the Bears, 68-64, as forward Nate Carter scored 22 points.

BGT: The Sooners are having an excellent first season under new coach Jeff Capel. Not overwhelming with talent, they are instead well coached and play as a team. Carter started slow this season but has been a force in conference play. Curtis Jerrells and Kevin Rogers combined for 43 points for Baylor. The Bears can score but need to learn how to play defense to be all that they can be, which is very good.

Tomorrow: The Sunday Truth column which will be full of recruiting and basketball news, Big 12 and nationally, including a new Top 20 list of names for the next head coach of the Buffs.