COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOTES

One of the puzzles of Tulsa’s 32-4 record is the matchup against Fresno State.

Three of Tulsa’s four losses were to the Bulldogs.

One reason: Courtney Alexander, who was the nation’s leading scorer.

“We try to take other teams away from what they try do do,” Tulsa Coach Bill Self said.

That means pressuring the pass, taking away ball reversal, denying the entry pass.

“Fresno just threw the ball to Courtney and got out of the way.”

Call it a matchup problem: Alexander scored 28, 25 and 29 points against Tulsa.

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How do you measure tradition?

“There are two or three stores in Tulsa where you can get Tulsa memorabilia,” Eric Coley said. “You can go anywhere in the country and see North Carolina memorabilia.”

Brandon Kurtz knows a victory today could begin to change things.

“I want to see little kids wearing that shirt of ours outside of Tulsa,” he said.