Men’s basketball: Homecoming on deck for Danny Manning as CU Buffs visit Kansas

Danny Mannings name is synonymous with basketball glory at Kansas historic Allen Fieldhouse.

Manning capped a storybook collegiate career with All-American honors and the Most Outstanding Player award at the 1988 Final Four, when he led the Jayhawks to the national championship.

After a 15-year NBA career, Manning returned to his alma mater to begin his coaching career.

Manning was an assistant on Kansas 2008 national championship team, and again when the Jayhawks reached the title game in 2012.

However, Mannings latest visit to the gym where his No.

25 jersey is retired will mark a career first.

Although Manning returned to Allen Fieldhouse plenty of times after he was done coaching at KU while his son, Evan, played for the Jayhawks, Tuesday night will be the first time Manning, a Colorado assistant, will return as part of the opposition.

He and the Buffs will try to end a 12-game losing streak against the 17th-ranked Jayhawks.

A lot of warm, great memories there, Manning said.

And not just as a player or a coach, but as a professional that was always my offseason home and thats where I spent a lot of time working out.

Id take my kids and theyd run around the bowels and the stairs at Allen Fieldhouse while I was working out.

And then wed leave when I was done.

Im looking forward to going back in that regard.

Theres a lot of family and friends that are still there.

Obviously the staff is still there.

I know those guys and theyre really good friends.

It will be a different experience, without question.

Manning and CU head coach Tad Boyle were teammates for one season at Kansas before Boyles college career ended and Mannings took off.

Allen Fieldhouse has always been one of the more difficult venues for opposing teams in the Big 12, but its also an arena typically full of knowledgeable and appreciative fans.

Boyle hasnt been able to enjoy too many cheers this season, as CUs 12-game slide has tied the second-longest losing streak within a single season in team history.

But when the Buffs last visited Kansas for a nonconference date on Dec.

7, 2019, Boyle received a respectful ovation from the KU faithful despite leading the opposing team.

They love basketball, Boyle said.

They know the game.

They know the history.

I played a long time ago now.

Im sure Ill get a nice ovation but it will pale in comparison to the game, I can tell you that.

Of course, of far more importance to Boyle than a warm welcome is finding a way to finally get the Buffs into the win column in the Big 12.

CU has lost 30 consecutive games in Lawrence, Kan., dating back to Feb.

10, 1983.

Barring a monumental upset, the Buffs will be in the unenviable position of possibly tying the programs longest losing streak when Central Florida visits on Saturday.

Its a special place for college basketball, Boyle said.

Whether you play there, Ive been there with the white jersey on as the home team.

And Ive been there with the road jersey on.

Ive experienced both ends of it.

Its a little bit more difficult with that dark colored jersey on, theres no doubt about that.

But its a knowledgeable, passionate fan base that shows up every game.

CU Buffs mens basketball at No.

17 Kansas Jayhawks TIPOFF : Tuesday, 7 p.m.

MT, Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.

TV/RADIO : ESPN2/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.

RECORDS : Colorado 9-14, 0-12 Big 12 Conference; Kansas 16-7, 7-5.

COACHES : Colorado Tad Boyle, 15th season (307-197, 363-263 overall).

Kansas Bill Self, 22nd season (604-150, 811-255).

KEY PLAYERS : Colorado G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Sr.

(13.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.4 rpg, .404 3%); F Andrej Jakimovski, 6-8, Gr.

(9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg); F Trevor Baskin, 6-9, Gr.

(8.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .515 FG%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr.

(7.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .574 FG%); F Bangot Dak, 6-11, So.

(7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .516 FG%); G Javon Ruffin, 6-5, R-Jr.

(6.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, .364 3%); G RJ Smith, 6-3, R-So.

(5.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, .424 3%); F Sebastian Rancik, 6-9, Fr.

(5.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg).

Kansas C Hunter Dickinson, 7-2, Gr.

(16.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, .527 FG%); G Zeke Mayo, 6-4, Sr.

(15.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, .407 3%); G Dajuan Harris Jr., 6-2, Gr.

(9.6 ppg, 5.8 apg); F KJ Adams, 6-7, Sr.

(8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .500 FG%); F Flory Bidunga, 6-9, Fr.

(6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .773 FG%).

NOTES : This will be the 165th meeting between CU and Kansas, the most the Buffs have played against any opponent.

...

KU leads the all-time series 124-40, with a 63-7 mark at home.

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CU has lost 20 consecutive games against ranked foes in true road games.

The Buffs last ranked win in a true road game was on Feb.

7, 2013 at No.

19 Oregon.

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Kansas began the week leading the Big 12 with a .388 defensive field goal percentage in conference games while ranking second in defensive 3-point percentage (.288).

...

CUs conference defensive 3-point percentage of .366 ranks last in the league.

...

Kansas has averaged a Big 12-best 17.3 assists in league games.

...

CU has shot just .298 (36-for-121) on 3-pointers in Big 12 road games.

...

KUs Dickinson began the week ranked sixth in league games in scoring (17.4) and second in rebounding (9.0).

...

Ruffin has shot 50% (11-for-22) from the 3-point arc over the past six games.

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The Buffs return home to host Central Florida on Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN+)..

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