GAME NOTES: A set of Big 12 teams trying to find their way back into the win column hook up at Hilton Coliseum tonight, as the Colorado Buffaloes challenge the Iowa State Cyclones. The Buffaloes enter the contest on the decline, as they have dropped five of their last six outings, including three straight. The team was most recently in action on Saturday, when it was downed by Missouri, 66-62. It was the fourth loss in five league games by Colorado, which now sits under .500 overall at 9-10. As for ISU, it is coming off a two- game road trip that was simply a disaster. The road swing began with an 83-59 pounding at second-ranked Kansas and ended with an 82-57 beating at the hands of Kansas State on Saturday. Now at 12-8 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 action, the Cyclones return back home, where they have gone a solid 10-2 thus far. ISU also leads the all-time series with Colorado, 73-65, and it has won 15 of the last 16 meetings in Ames.

The Buffaloes prefer a slower tempo game and that helps explain why they are scoring just 63.7 ppg despite shooting a solid 45.5 percent from the floor this season. Richard Roby is the squad's go-to-guy and he tops the roster in both scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). Marcus Hall is next in line with 12.8 ppg and he is also dishing out at team-high 3.9 apg, while Xavier Silas chips in with 10.6 ppg. In the squad's last game, Hall poured in 28 points and recorded three steals, but it wasn't enough for Colorado in a four- point loss to Missouri. Roby notched a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Buffaloes, who shot 45.5 percent from the floor, but committed 16 costly turnovers.

Much like Colorado, ISU isn't a big-time offensive machine and it is averaging only 66.1 ppg on 43.3 percent shooting from the floor this season. Wesley Johnson leads the team in scoring at 14.7 ppg and he is converting 77.8 percent of the time at the foul line. Craig Brackins contributes 12.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg for the Cyclones, while Jiri Hubalek turns in 11.8 ppg and a team-high 7.4 rpg. Rahshon Clark rounds out the double-figure scorers with 10.0 ppg. In the club's prior contest, ISU shot a dismal 33.9 percent from the field and it was dominated on the boards, 52-33, in a lopsided loss at Kansas State. Johnson guided the Cyclones with 20 points and five boards, while Brackins finished with 10 points and five rebounds.

ISU has the edge because it is hosting this game and its balance should also play a part in it picking up the victory tonight.