MBB Trio Named to All-Big 12 Academic Team

IRVING, Texas - A trio of University of Colorado men's basketball student-athletes were named to the 2010 Academic All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Team, the league office announced Wednesday.

Junior Levi Knutson and sophomore Trey Eckloff were named to the first team, while junior Casey Crawford was named to the second team. The three student-athletes named to the conference team are the most ever in one season for the Buffaloes in the 14-year history of the conference.

CU placed a pair on the first or second team in 2005-06 and 2004-05.

Colorado was second only to Texas, who placed a league-leading five selections on the squad -- three on the first team and two on the second. 

Knutson, majoring in business-finance was named to the first team during the 2008-09 academic year. Eckloff is also a business-finance major, while Crawford, graduates in May with his undergraduate degree, is a political science major. Crawford has one year of eligibility remaining.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the men's basketball academic all-league squad consisted of 12 first team members combined with nine on the second team.  First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

2010 Academic All-Big 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL Team

First Team (3.20-plus GPA)

Trey Eckloff, So., Business-Finance, Englewood, Colo.
Levi Knutson, Jr., Business-Finance, Littleton, Colo.

Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA)

Casey Crawford,  Jr., Political Science, Overland Park, Kan.