Highs

In the 1996-97 season, CU, featuring sophomore guard Chauncey Billups, made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 28 years. The Buffs beat Indiana and coach Bob Knight 80-62 in the first round before losing to North Carolina and coach Dean Smith 73-56 in the second.

That same season, the Buffs won at No. 20 Texas Tech 80-78, snapping what was then the nation's longest home winning streak (35 games). "I think that's when people started to take notice of Colorado," Patton said.

In 2002-03, senior forward Stephane Pelle's jumper in the final seconds gave the Buffs a 60-59 home victory against No. 6 Kansas — Patton's only win against the Jayhawks in 26 tries.

For two weeks last season, CU was ranked No. 25 in the USA Today coaches' poll, marking the school's first Top 25 appearance since 1996-97.

Lows

In 2003-04, the Buffs finished fourth (10-6) in the Big 12. It was their highest league finish since the Billups era, but their 18 victories didn't earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Guard Jose Winston transferred before his senior season (2001-02) because of what Patton called "a personal issue I couldn't disclose. It was written that he had an issue with me, which wasn't the case." Patton and his wife, Jennifer, have remained in contact with Winston. attending his 2006 wedding.

Several stories published last spring detailed Patton's comments to his team about "light- and dark-skinned" players. He termed them "an attempt to kill my name."

"Kids not getting degrees," Patton said. "If (senior guard) Dominique Coleman doesn't get his, that's a low for me. He's close enough to get it."

B.G. Brooks