Well, Colorado fans have to think the Buffs would have ended their Big 12 road losing streak at Iowa State and knocked off a No. 1 team for the first time by taking care of Kansas.

After all, CU lost 64-63 in Ames and squandered several opportunities on Wednesday night with empty possessions during a 72-66 overtime loss to KU at the Coors Events Center.

"Wouldas, couldas and shouldas," Bzdelik said. "I`d like to think if we had (Burks) at Iowa State, we only had him for two minutes, that might have been different, too. But it`s part of the game."

The Buffs actually could have had Burks in the lineup against the Jayhawks. The talented freshman, who is averaging 16.3 points per game, was

Levi Knutson of CU scores past Sherron Collins of KU. Cliff Grassmick / February 3, 2010 ( Cliff Grassmick )

"Alec Burks was cleared by the doctor, and I`m the one that said no because he wasn`t 100," Bzdelik said. "He`s a young, talented guy and that was my decision strictly from the standpoint that I want the risk when he steps back on the court to be as minimal as possible."

So what was Burks` reaction to the decision?

"He wanted to play but he understood why (the decision was made)," Bzdelik said.

Burks was suffered a sprained left knee two minutes into CU`s loss at Iowa State last Saturday. Only Chauncey Billups (17.9 ppg) has averaged more points per game at CU as a true freshman than the 6-6 guard from Grandview, Mo.

Levi Knutson helped make up for Burks` absence by scoring 13 points off the bench. The junior guard was playing so well that Bzdelik left him on the court against the nation`s top-ranked team for 34 minutes.

"I`m always ready to play," Knutson said. "I just try to take advantage of the time I`m out there and help the team win. It wasn`t enough today."

Bzdelik said Burks remains day-to-day when asked if he would return to the lineup against Missouri on Saturday.

Bumps and bruises

Marcus Relphorde (bruised hip) and Nate Tomlinson (bruised leg) needed treatment after the physical game against KU.

Keegan Hornbuckle, who missed the previous three games with a right shoulder sprain, returned to the rotation and had two points and four rebounds in nine minutes.

Glass half full

CU, by far the worst rebounding team in the Big 12, made a dramatic improvement on the boards against Kansas.

The Buffs out-rebounded KU 22-18 in the first half and scored nine points off eight offensive boards. KU finished the game with a 45-41 rebounding edge.