Joel Bolomboy, a 6-foot-9 freshman from Keller Central, has made an immediate impact for a Weber State team in contention for the Big Sky Conference title. The Wildcats (15-5, 10-2) seek to enhance their postseason credentials tonight against Southern Utah (10-12, 8-5).
Bolomboy leads the team in rebounds (8.2 per game) and blocked shots (35) despite playing a reserve role in which he averages 21.9 minutes per game. He's also scoring 7.1 points per game for a team chasing Montana (17-4, 13-0) in the league standings, with hopes of winning the Big Sky postseason tournament and earning its first berth to the NCAA Tournament since 2007.Bolomboy, who was born in Russia, has a father (Joseph) who is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a mother (Tania) who is from Russia.The freshman ranks second among the Wildcats in shooting percentage (57.0) and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in eight games this season. His season high for rebounds is 17, which came in Weber State's first meeting of the season against Southern Utah, an 81-74 victory on Jan. 10.The Wildcats, who have earned postseason berths in each of the past four seasons, have won 11 of their past 13 games. One of the losses was a 76-74 loss at Montana on Jan. 26.Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760Twitter: @Jimmy_Burch
Games to watch
No. 5 Kansas (19-3, 7-2 in Big 12) at Oklahoma (14-7, 5-4) Oklahoma, off since Monday, has had two extra days to prepare for today's matchup (3 p.m., ESPN2) against a Jayhawks team seeking to break its first two-game losing streak since 2006.
North Carolina (16-6, 6-3 in ACC) at No. 8 Miami (18-3, 9-0) The Hurricanes can complete the program's first regular-season sweep of the Tar Heels with a victory today (1 p.m., ESPN).
No. 1 Indiana (20-3, 8-2 in Big Ten) at No. 10 Ohio State (17-5, 7-3) The Hoosiers, who lost Thursday to unranked Illinois, face a difficult road test Sunday (noon, CBS) after becoming the fifth consecutive top-ranked team to lose after topping the polls that week.
Numbers game
4.86Assist-to-turnover ratio for UCLA point guard Larry Drew II, an NCAA best and well ahead of his closest pursuer, Michigan's Trey Burke (3.76).
66Blocked shots by North Texas forward Tony Mitchell, tied for the most by any Division I player in the Lone Star State this season.
0-2Combined record posted this week by the top two teams in the college basketball polls. No. 1 Indiana fell to unranked Illinois 74-72, and No. 2 Florida lost to unranked Arkansas 80-69.
UT Arlington men host struggling UTSA
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TCU to honor all-time scorer Browder
TCU women host Texas Tech while still looking for first Big 12 win
UT Arlington women look for winning streak
TCU men never lost faith, but Kansas upset renews spirit
Texas Wesleyan baseball looking for improvement
TCU coach irked at Frogs' missteps after Miracle at Daniel-Meyer
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