Colorado hasn't been ranked in the Top 25 nationally in 14 years.

The Buffs have been to the NCAA Tournament just twice since 1969.

“Our fans are getting behind this team now,” coach Tad Boyle said after Colorado's latest big win, 75-71 against Oklahoma State. “It’s our team’s responsibility to reward them with the effort that they deserve. One thing about Colorado fans, if you put out maximum effort and play your tails off ... they like winning, and this state is hungry for college basketball. You can sense it.”

Colorado coach Tad Boyle says that all conference games are tough, despite size or competitiveness.

"The price of poker goes up," Boyle said. "It doesn't matter what league you're in. Big leagues, small leagues, it's all the same."

Alec Burks, Colorado's sophomore guard, scored a career-high 36 points in an upset win over Missouri by a final of 89-76.

The win against the No. 9 Tigers was Colorado's first win over a top-10 team in eight years. The Buffaloes had lost 19 consecutive games against top-10 teams, with their most recent win coming in February of 2003 against Texas.

Colorado frustrated Missouri by using a full-court press.

Burks entered the game as the Big 12's third-leading scorer.

Six Big 12 men's basketball players have been named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 30.

Alec Burks (Colorado), Marcus Denmon (Missouri), LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor), Jordan Hamilton (Texas), Marcus Morris (Kansas) and Jacob Pullen (Kansas State) were selected among the top 30 candidates.

All players nationally who excel throughout the season will be evaluated and considered for the official voting ballot released in March.