BOULDER — Not that either hopes to duplicate what they saw, but a recent trip to two affluent Big 12 Conference schools offered the University of Colorado men's and women's basketball coaches a template for a long-awaited practice facility.

Coaches Jeff Bzdelik (men) and Kathy McConnell-Miller (women) flew to Texas and Oklahoma on Monday to examine those schools' practice sites.

Bzdelik said the trip was "very informative and productive for us," but added, "We don't need to go over the top; we need it to be functional and a source of pride."

He believes a facility adjacent to the Coors Events Center can be constructed for $10 million to $12 million and would include two full courts with supplementary side baskets. One concept is separating the courts with a weight room and players' lounge.

The deadline for starting construction of such a facility is geared to Bzdelik's five-year contract, which contains a provision canceling his buyout clause if CU has not broken ground on the facility by the start of his fourth year.

CU currently is using the Events Center for men's and women's practices as well as women's volleyball and some academic purposes. Scheduling staggered practice times for three teams in two sports is unwieldy, with players' class schedules not allowing "a lot flexibility to make it all work," Bzdelik said.

The only alternative practice sites on campus are the student recreation center and antiquated Carlson Gymnasium, whose floor Bzdelik termed "useless."

Bzdelik didn't face such problems during a two- year stint at Air Force, terming the Falcons' facilities "huge . . . but I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong."

Aside from an operational standpoint, Bzdelik said CU's other need to upgrade is found in recruiting: "You have to stay up with your competition. . . . From a recruiting standpoint, this is what's important to young athletes," he said.

Construction is to begin Monday on a basketball-operations center in the Events Center that will centralize men's and women's offices now at Folsom Field.

Also, renovation of the men's locker room (the women's underwent a face-lift several years ago) is expected to be complete by the start of the Big 12 season in January. Until then, players will use auxiliary locker rooms in the Events Center.

"Our players are going to have to rough it for a couple of months," Bzdelik said. "But they're excited. . . . It's a positive because we know what's being done."

Donations for the locker room revamping have come from alumni and outsiders, including a significant sum from one of his former Northwestern players.

"It's real and it will happen," Bzdelik said.

ETC.: Recruiting in July took Bzdelik coast to coast. Cities visited included Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Philadelphia. "We're trying to catch up, to be honest," he said. . . . Of five scholarships available for the November signing period, two likely will go to wing players. . . . Limited practice (four players, two hours per week) can begin when school starts Monday and continue until Sept. 14. Another set of restrictions is in effect from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, when full-team work begins.

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