Eckloff, Knutson Earn All-Big 12 Academic First Team

IRVING, Texas - University of Colorado men's basketball student-athletes Trey Eckloff and Levi Knutson were named to the 2011 Academic All-Big 12 Men's Basketball First Team, the league office announced Thursday.

Eckloff (Englewood, Colo.), a junior forward majoring in finance, earns his second straight first team academic conference honor.  Knutson earns his third straight All-Big 12 academic first team accolade. The senior guard from Littleton, Colo., also majors in finance.

First team recipients are student-athletes who have a 3.20-plus grade point average.

Texas led the field with four selections -- three on the first team and one second-team honoree, while Colorado was runner up with a pair on the first team.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the men's basketball academic all-league squad consisted of 12 first team members combined with four 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 their 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.