(Sports Network) - The Georgia Bulldogs conclude a brief two-game homestand to begin the 2010-11 season, when they welcome the Colorado Buffaloes to Athens this evening, for a matchup from the Stegeman Coliseum.
Mark Fox's Bulldogs opened the year with a victory, although it was probably not how the team envisioned it would go, narrowly getting by Mississippi Valley State at home, 72-70.
Tad Boyle became the first coach in 20 years to win his debut at Colorado, as his Buffaloes opened their 2010-11 campaign with an 88-80 decision over Idaho State.
This is the seventh meeting in this series. The Buffs claimed the first-ever matchup, but the Bulldogs have won each of the last five, including a one- point victory in Boulder in thee last meeting in 2002.
It was Alec Burks' precision at the free-throw line down the stretch that proved to be the difference, as the 6-6 sophomore went 6-of-6 with under a minute to play from the charity stripe to lead the Buffaloes to an eight-point win over Idaho State. Burks led four Buffaloes in double figures in the game with 20 points. Corey Higgins and Levi Knutson added 16 points apiece, while Marcus Relphorde chipped in 12, as CU shot a solid .483 from the floor for the game. Another reason for the victory was Colorado's ball-handling. The Buffaloes committed just seven turnovers in the game, compared to 17 for the visiting Bengals.
The Bulldogs only won by two points and scored just 72 total points against MVSU, but Georgia shot the ball extremely well in the game (.490). What made the game a lot closer was the fact that Georgia committed 15 turnovers and was outrebounded 41-31. Jeremy Price led the way with 20 points in the win. He was followed closely by fellow guard Gerald Robinson Jr. with 19 points. Forward Travis Leslie provided adequate muscle up front, recording a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The team is playing without the services of top-returning scorer Trey Thompkins, an All-SEC forward whose sprained ankle has kept him on the bench to start the year.
The Bulldogs will be a great deal better when Thompkins returns to the court, but until then, they need to just hang on. However, Colorado is a strong offensive team with the ability to win on the road.