Boulder, Colo. — Kansas forward Drew Gooden faces two major obstacles tonight: Colorado's basketball team and Coors Events Center, Alt. 5,430 feet.
"The altitude ... people say it is just a mind thing, but there's something about that place I always get winded," Gooden said. "This year we'll see if I am in top condition to battle through that. We'll see if our team is in top condition to battle through that."
Gooden he takes a 20.5-point, 12.3-rebound average into tonight's 8:05 Central time battle against 8-2 CU has had a pair of so-so efforts in Boulder, located just 35 miles from the Mile High City of Denver.
Last year, the 6-foot-10, 235-pounder scored 10 points and grabbed 12 boards in an 85-75 victory. As a freshman he had 10 points and nine rebounds in an 84-69 KU win.
The Buffs would gladly take those same numbers tonight from Gooden, who has averaged 23 points and 16.2 rebounds his last four games.
"I am really confident right now," Gooden said. "As a team, we have a lot of confidence going into the conference season."
The 11-1 Jayhawks are never lacking in confidence against Colorado.
KU has won 24 straight games against CU, including 10 straight at the Events Center. KU's last loss to CU was a 79-71 setback in 1991 in Boulder.
"It's sort of like that (current 22-game win) streak against K-State. What's happened in the past has nothing to do with what happens Saturday," said KU coach Roy Williams, who owns a 29-1 mark versus the Buffs including a 13-0 mark against CU coach Ricardo Patton.
"It's not a cliche. It's true. We do take a lot of pride in trying to hold our game to a certain level whether at home or on the road. So far this club has done it. We'll see if we can do it in conference play when the intensity level pushes up. The question is can you do it when that crowd is so loud and a majority of the crowd is against you?"
The Jayhawks normally attract 3,000 or so fans at Coors Events Center, which seats 11,076.
"We've had unbelievable support in Colorado. A lot of Jayhawk people have been in the stands and I would guess some would be there again. Typically in the league not too many people on the road are pulling for you," Williams said.
As in years past, Colorado has high hopes of pulling out an eye-opening victory against the Jayhawks tonight.
The Buffs, who have averaged 85.7 points per game in beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Regis, Rice, Colorado State, Montana, Southern, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and St. Mary's and losing to St. Joseph's and Georgia, are led by the Harrison brothers David and D.J. who average 13.0 and 10.8 points per game respectively while playing center and forward respectively. Forward Stephane Pelle averages 11.9 points and 9.3 boards a game, while guard/forward Blair Wilson chips in 11.3 points per outing.
"I think it's more dangerous (playing at CU) when they have their better teams. This may be the best team Ricardo has had," Williams said. "I said that last year. The only player they lost of any significance is Jamahl (Mosely). They brought in (7-foot) David Harrison, a McDonald's All-American and probably one of the best post players of any freshman in the country.
"Everybody else is a year older. D.J. Harrison was a load for us last year," he added of the 6-7 senior who scored 26 versus KU in Boulder and 15 in a 91-79 loss in Lawrence. "Stephane Pelle (30 points in two games vs. KU) was a load for us last year. Nick Mohr is a good shooter. It'll be a difficult game."
And an intense game, as Big 12 contests always are.
"They will be in for a little bit of a shock," Williams said of his newcomers. "That's why we like to play a tough schedule. You have to understand the intensity level goes up. Now some guys who wouldn't dive for loose balls or take a charge before will dive for loose balls and take a charge now. I think our schedule will make it less of a shock, but a shock nonetheless."
After CU, KU returns home to meet Nebraska on Wednesday in a 7:05 p.m. tip.
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