Colorado

Continuing this week's Coach Ranking series: The Big 12 

#1) Bill Self, Kansas

Big XII Player Grades

BOULDER - University of Colorado men's basketball head coach Jeff Bzdelik announced Wednesday that Alec Burks, Keegan Hornbuckle, and Shane Harris-Tunks have officially signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education beginning in the 2009-10 academic year.

"With the signing of these three young men, once again we have taken a major step toward creating the vision for this program," Bzdelik said. "All three are highly skilled, highly intelligent and play with a competitive spirit."

This is the third of six annual statistical projections of BCS conference starters. The lineups are based on the Starting Fives series of articles released two weeks ago, along with a couple of changes due to recent developments.

BIG 12 FIVE-YEAR STANDINGS

This ranking tries to answer a simple question: Who has been the best team in the Big 12 over the last five years?

Unlike the NBA, where most starting lineups are set in stone weeks before the season, NCAA starting fives are highly unsettled and constantly in flux. Going through the BCS leagues this week, I'll be projecting the starting fives for each team. Also included is the team's most important bench option, and some notes on other possible lineups.

Round two of the Big East/Big 12 "Challenge" is on the docket for Thursday, with Louisville putting the Big East up 1-0 with a 38-29 home win over Kansas State last night. Redshirt freshman Victor Anderson had a big night for the Cards, rushing for 176 yards on just eighteen carries and three touchdowns. Louisville's defense also had two key interceptions in the second quarter that resulted in thirteen Cardinal points. But the task tonight will be much tougher for the defending Big East champions, who head into the high altitude to take on a young program on the rise.

Colorado Buffaloes

Overall Rank: #144