Relphorde signs in the Big 12

Marcus Relphorde had good news Tuesday for Colorado men's basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik.

Relphorde, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound wing from Indian Hills Community College in Iowa called Bzdelik to tell him he is committing to CU.

Relphorde said Tuesday night he will sign and fax his letter of intent Wednesday.

"He was real happy," said Relphorde, who took recruiting visits to Arkansas, last weekend, and TCU, in March. "He was real anxious. I told him I was taking that one more visit, and he was waiting to get the news. He said he was really happy and excited to hear it.

"My main goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament. Individually, my goal will be to earn (Big 12) newcomer of the year.

"I just want to help turn the program around and start a winning tradition at Colorado."

Relphorde is from the Chicago area. He said he has two years of eligibility remaining to play two. He also said he averaged about 12 points per game last season for Indian Hills, and hit nearly 45 percent of his 3-pointers.

Among the people he met on his visit to CU on April 10 was athletic director Mike Bohn, whose enthusiasm for the program was hard to miss, Relphorde said. Relphorde added he learned about CU's plans to break ground on its practice facility "very soon," and he hopes its construction is completed by the time he's a senior. Relphorde said he expects to contribute right away.

"I really got along well with the team," Relphorde said. "Everybody is real close. I love the campus. I had never been to Colorado and the mountains and all that was crazy. I liked everything about the school.

"With the pieces they've signed, I think we're headed in the right direction next year."