—
Colorado Basketball – January, 2022
—
February 1st
… CU in the Arena …
Tad Boyle to miss the Oregon game after positive COVID test
From CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado athletic department announced on Tuesday that men’s basketball Head Coach Tad Boyle has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Thursday’s game against Oregon.
Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Boyle is isolating and is not attending practices. Associate Head Coach Mike Rohn is serving as acting head coach in Boyle’s absence. Boyle’s status for Saturday’s game against Oregon State will be determined later this week.
The entire men’s basketball team and coaching staff are fully vaccinated and boosted.
“While I’m disappointed I can’t be on the court with our team, I have full confidence in our coaching staff and know that Coach Rohn will have our team ready to play on Thursday,” Boyle said. “We’re all doing everything we can to navigate the impacts of COVID-19, and I’m grateful for the expertise and care of our medical staff in ensuring we take the proper steps to keep our student-athletes and staff safe.”
–
—–
January 30th
… CU in the Arena …
Tad Boyle: “After the Washington loss I was angry, I was disappointed, I was frustrated. Tonight, I’m just embarrassed”
Related … “Shorthanded CU Buffs come up empty at Washington State” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … A road trip that started out with a bang for Colorado ended with a thud Sunday, as the shorthanded Buffaloes dropped a 70-43 decision to Washington State at Beasley Coliseum.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs, who started their three-game road trip with a win at Oregon, fell to 13-8 overall and 5-6 in Pac-12 play with their second straight loss. WSU improved to 12-7, 5-3.
Jabari Walker was the only CU player in double figures, finishing with 11 points and eight rebounds. Nique Clifford scored eight for CU and freshman K.J. Simpson, who received his first start as a Buff, had four points, five assists and three rebounds.
Michael Flowers led four Cougars in double figures with 16 points.
The Buffs played without the services of regular starters Elijah Parquet (injury) and Tristan da Silva (illness), but Colorado was missing more than just two key players. The Buffs were once again plagued by turnovers and poor shooting and the Cougars were happy to take advantage.
The Buffs trailed by 13 midway through the first half and by 21 at intermission. But unlike the last three games, when the Buffs rallied from double-digits to make it a close game — including the win at Oregon — there was nothing resembling a comeback against WSU.
Instead, the Cougars steadily built their cushion in the second half, pushing their lead to as much as 35 down the stretch.
Colorado shot just 29 percent from the floor (16-for-56) while the Cougars were 26-for-53, including 12 3-pointers, tying the most by a CU opponent this year. WSU also won the rebound battle 39-30 and the Buffs committed 16 turnovers that led to 26 Washington State points.
“After the Washington loss I was angry, I was disappointed, I was frustrated,” Boyle said. “Tonight, I’m just embarrassed. This was an embarrassing performance by our basketball team and it falls on me. I’m the head coach. I’ve been here for almost 12 years as the head coach and I’ve not experienced that kind of loss like we experienced tonight. This is a new one for me.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs try and regroup against Washington State: “It’s just about the next game”
From the Daily Camera … Even in a best-case scenario, in which the Colorado Buffaloes surge through February to make a postseason push, the loss suffered on Thursday night at Washington was the sort that will haunt a club.
Yet as head coach Tad Boyle is quick to point out, no matter how much it stings, there is nothing that can be done about something now squarely in the rear-view mirror. Nothing, that is, except start putting some wins on the board.
The up-and-down Buffs will try to bookend their three-game road trip with another triumphant high to balance the lowly loss at Washington in between, as CU completes its regular season series against Washington State on Sunday night. CU once again is expected to play without starting forward Tristan da Silva, who is sidelined with an illness that Boyle termed on Saturday as “COVID-related.”
It will be the fourth time in five games the Buffs have been without one of their starters, as senior guard Elijah Parquet missed both of last week’s home dates against USC and UCLA before coming off the bench during Tuesday’s win at Oregon. As of Saturday, Boyle did not believe any other CU players would be sidelined.
“It’s just about the next game,” Boyle said. “I don’t look at road trips or home swings. We’ve just got to figure out the next game, and for us that’s Washington State. As much as you want to look backwards, that Washington loss is definitely going to haunt us as the season unfolds. There’s no two ways about it, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. You pick up the pieces and move forward and try to improve and not worry about all the other stuff. The teams that can do that and just focus on the next game, the rest takes care of itself.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
Game Notes …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 13-7 overall and 5-5 in the Pac-12 Conference after splitting its first two games of a three-game road swing through the Pacific Northwest. The Buffaloes defeated Oregon, 82-78, on Jan. 25, in a thrilling come from behind victory, but stumbled at Washington, 60-58, on Jan. 27.
Colorado’s win at Oregon avoided what would have been the program’s first three-game losing skid since the end of 2019-20. Five of its seven losses – and four in the Pac-12 – have come to ranked opponents.
The Buffaloes have won 10 of their last 16 and 36 of 52 (36-16) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just three times – twice this year and once last season.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Thirteen of Colorado’s games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 9-4 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 70.3 points per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field. After struggling from 3-point range early in the season, Colorado has made 39 of 94 over the last five games (.415). Colorado shot a season-best 53.3 percent from the 3-point line (8-15) at Oregon and best in a road game since hitting 54.2 percent at UCLA (13-24) on Feb. 6, 2019.
The Buffaloes had a season-high 10 3-point field goals at Arizona State and most in a true road game since hitting 12 at Arizona on Dec. 28, 2020. The Buffaloes hadn’t made more than five in any of the previous five games away from Boulder. Colorado is 26 of 64 from 3-point range over its last three road games (.406) after starting the season 18 of 83 (.217) away from Boulder.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Washington State is 11-7 overall and 4-3 in the Pac-12. The Cougars have won their last two and three of their last four. Washington State averages 74.0 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the field. The Cougars lead the Pac-12 in 3-pointers with 8.7 made per game. WSU leads the Pac-12, and ranks 25th in the nation, in offensive rebounds at 12.9 per game. Defensively, Washington State allows 63.3 points per game while opponents are shooting 39.9 percent overall.
Michael Flowers leads Washington State at 12.7 points and 3.0 assists per game. He has a team-best 45 3-point field goals and shoots 36 percent from long range. Noah Williams is second on the team in scoring at 11.7 points per game. Mouhamed Gueye tops the Cougars in rebounding at 5.4 per game while pitching in 7.1 points a contest. Efe Abogidi averages 7.3 points while leading Washington State in field goal shooting (.623) and blocked shots (27).
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 24th meeting between Colorado and Washington State with the Buffaloes holding a 17-6 series edge and have won the last three and eight of the last 11. The series is tied 4-4 in Pullman. Colorado won last season’s meeting at Beasley Coliseum, 70-59, on Jan. 23, 2021.
–
—–
January 29th
… CU in the Arena …
CU women snap four-game losing streak with 66-62 overtime road win over Utah
From CUBuffs.com …Tameiya Sadler hit a driving layup with 16 seconds left in overtime and Tayanna Jones then got a steal and hit two free throws as the Colorado Buffaloes outlasted the Utah Utes, 66-62, to end a four-game slide and pick up a crucial Pac-12 road win here Friday night.
The Buffs were down five entering the fourth quarter and had chances to wrap up the game in regulation, but a 3-pointer by Dasia Young with just seven seconds left pushed the game into overtime, the Buffs third overtime game in their last four outings. The Buffs then outscored the Utes 8-4 in the extra period to get the win.
The Buffs improve to 14-4 overall and 3-4 in league play while the Utes fall to 10-7 overall and 1-3 in Pac-12 play. The two will meet again in Boulder Sunday at Noon on Pac-12 Networks.
“It’s exciting to see both Tameiya and Tayanna step up,” Coach JR Payne said. “I love that Coach T (Toriano Towns) had the ultimate faith in Tayanna at the end of the game to make a stop, she not only did that, she got a steal, then she had the wherewithal to hit two free throws. Not many people can come in at the end and do that after not playing much.”
“For Tameiya, I’m proud of how she’s embracing her new role,” Payne continued. “We know she’s capable, it was hard to get her back in the flow after not practicing for 10 days. We asked her to be aggressive and score, and she clearly did that and make some big plays.”
Sadler provided a spark all game long and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Mya Hollingshed and Peanut Tuitele led the Buffs with 16 points apiece. Tuitele was a perfect 7-of-7 shooting and added five rebounds and Hollingshed added 11 rebounds and two blocks while fighting foul trouble.
Jaylyn Sherrod scored most of her seven points in the final minute of regulation and she added two assists and two rebounds.
How It Happened: The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair and with it tied 4-4, a CU 9-0 run was immediately countered by a Utah 10-0 run. The Buffs then scored the final two buckets of the quarter to lead 17-14 after the first quarter.
The Buffs 9-0 run included two traditional three-point plays by Hollingshed and Kindyll Wetta followed by a 3-pointer from Tuitele. Tuitele had five points in the first quarter and Hollingshed added five rebounds.
A quick Frida Formann 3-pointer to open the second quarter gave the Buffs a 20-14 lead but then CU would only score one bucket the next eight minutes as Utah went on a 15-2 run to take a 29-22 lead. Tuitele hit a layup and Hollingshed a 3-pointer and free throw somewhat stopped the bleeding and cut the Utes lead down to 33-28 at halftime.
The third quarter was again back and forth and after it was all said and done both teams scored 12 points and the Utes led 45-40 at the end. After the Utes led 38-30, Hollingshed and Quay Miller scored the next six points in the game to cut the lead to two points. Utah then responded with a 7-2 run before two Sadler free throws made it 45-40 in the quarter’s final minute.
The Buffs came out firing in the fourth quarter and after Tuitele and Hollingshed hit 3-pointers, the Buffs quickly tied the game at 46-46 with 6:54 left in the game. The Buffs then took a four-point lead at 52-48 off back-to-back Tuitele layups. Sherrod then took over late, and with the Buffs down 53-52, she scored five straight points to give the Buffs a 57-53 lead with just 30 seconds left. But Utah hit two free throws with 27 seconds left and after Formann went 1-of-2 from the line, Utah hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left to tie the game at 58-58 and force overtime.
Sadler opened the overtime scoring less than a minute in to give the Buffs a 60-58 advantage, and Utah responded with a layup of their own to tie it up at 60-60. After Utah hit 1-of-2 from the line, Hollingshed hit a layup after a nifty move to put the Buffs up 62-61 with 1:18 left. Utah tied the game at 62-62 on another 1-of-2 trip to the line. Sadler hit her second OT bucket with just 16 seconds left then Jones made the defensive play of the game, poking the ball out near mid-court and getting fouled. She hit both her free throws and that’s where the game ended at 66-62.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 27th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
CU loses in Seattle for the sixth straight season, fall to Washington, 60-58
… Related … ” ‘Pathetic’ effort dooms CU Buffs men’s basketball at Washington” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … Another furious Colorado rally came up just short Thursday as the Buffaloes dropped a 60-58 decision to Washington at Alaska Airlines Arena.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs fell to 13-7 overall and 5-5 in Pac-12 play while the Huskies improved to 10-8, 5-3.
Jabari Walker was the only Buff in double figures, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds. Elijah Parquet and Keeshawn Barthelemy each scored nine for CU.
Terrell Brown Jr., the Pac-12’s leading scorer, tossed in 26 for Washington.
The Buffaloes shot just 34 percent from the floor (18-for-53), committed 17 turnovers that led to 21 Washington points and gave up 15 offensive rebounds.
But despite their shooting and turnovers woes, the Buffs managed to cut a 15-point second-half deficit down to two in the final minute. CU had a chance to tie the game in the waning seconds but Walker’s baseline shot drew iron and the Huskies won despite not scoring for the final four minutes of the game.
“Absolutely pathetic by the Colorado Buffaloes tonight,” Boyle said in his post-game radio interview. “We could not have played worse. This is on us. This is totally on us. We got bullied tonight. We got punked, we got out-toughed and there’s no excuse for it, and I’m the coach that let it happen.”
Thursday was the third straight game in which the Buffs staged a big rally. They came up just short against UCLA a week ago after falling behind by 17, then came from 15 down to win at Oregon on Tuesday.
But their miscues proved to be too much to overcome against the Huskies, as their shooting woes couldn’t make up for their turnovers. CU’s 34 percent shooting effort was the Buffs’ second-lowest of the season, and it included an 8-for-24 night from 3-point range.
“To go to Oregon and win by three and turn it over 17 times gave us a false sense of security because we made shots,” Boyle said. “Tonight we didn’t make shots and we turned it over 17 times and gave up 15 offensive rebounds.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
Freshman center Lawson Lovering out for the season (MCL)
From the Daily Camera … The good news for Lawson Lovering is that he avoided the worst-case scenario with the knee injury he suffered earlier this week.
Nevertheless, Lovering’s freshman season at Colorado has likely come to a premature end.
Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle confirmed to BuffZone that Lovering suffered an MCL injury during practice on Monday. Tests revealed it was not an ACL injury, which would have required a much longer and grueling rehabilitation plan. As it stands, the recovery time is expected to be six to eight weeks, and while CU’s season could still be ongoing during that timeframe, Boyle made it clear they have no intention of rushing the 7-foot-1 freshman back into the action.
Lovering is not expected to require surgery, but with more than half a season under his belt he is ineligible for a redshirt.
“We wouldn’t rush him back on that obviously, being a 7-footer,” Boyle said. “In terms of knee injuries, I guess it was the best you could’ve hoped for.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs hope to sustain momentum against Washington (9:00 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks): “We have to not be satisfied”
From the Daily Camera … For the first time this season, the Colorado men’s basketball team has a little capital in its corner.
It will go to waste if the Buffaloes fail to build on the momentum through the remainder of their Pacific Northwest business trip, a point head coach Tad Boyle was making to his club even as Tuesday’s late-night celebration still was unfolding.
CU shook off its two discouraging losses at home last week to the nationally-ranked Los Angeles schools, as well as a rough start on Tuesday that had the Buffs down by 15 points less than six minutes into the game, to post a stirring comeback victory at Oregon.
It was the Buffs’ first win in Eugene in nine years. More importantly, it was CU’s first Quad 1 win in the NET rankings formula, which led to a nine-spot jump for the Buffs to No. 76 in Wednesday’s edition of the NET.
It was a critical win and one that at least gives the Buffs an opportunity to play their way into NCAA Tournament contention. Yet the effort will be for naught if CU can’t produce results during the remainder of the road trip, which continues on Thursday night at Washington in a venue that has been equally frustrating for CU.
“That’s the challenge we have right now. We have to not be satisfied,” Boyle said. “We’ve got to stay hungry, stay humble. We’re 5-4 in this league. We’re not at the top of this league in the standings. We tripped up a couple games at home. You always say you want to win at home and split on the road. Well guess what? You lose two at home, splitting on the road ain’t good enough to get you to the top half of this league.
“If you’re in the top half of this league down the stretch, maybe you have a chance to compete for a championship. We get another crack at Arizona, but we’re done with USC and UCLA. It’s just about winning the next game and figuring out what we have to do. That’s all we have to think about right now.”
… Continue reading story here …
—
CU at Washington Game Notes …
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 13-6 overall and 5-4 in the Pac-12 Conference after defeating Oregon, 82-78, on Jan. 25, in the first of a three-game road swing through the Pacific Northwest.
Colorado’s win avoided what would have been the program’s first three-game losing skid since the end of 2019-20. Five of its six losses – and all four in the Pac-12 – have come to ranked opponents.
The Buffaloes have won 10 of their last 15 and 36 of 51 (36-15) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just three times – twice this year and once last season.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Twelve of Colorado’s games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 9-3 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 70.9 points per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the field. After struggling from 3-point range early in the season, Colorado has made 31 of 70 over the last four games (.443). Colorado shot a season-best 53.3 percent from the 3-point line (8-15) at Oregon and best in a road game since hitting 54.2 percent at UCLA (13-24) on Feb. 6, 2019.
The Buffaloes had a season-high 10 3-point field goals at Arizona State and most in a true road game since hitting 12 at Arizona on Dec. 28, 2020. The Buffaloes hadn’t made more than five in any of the previous five games away from Boulder. Colorado is 18 of 40 from 3-point range over its last two road games (.450) after starting the season 18 of 83 (.217) away from Boulder.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 66.7 points per game, ranking fifth in the Pac-12. Colorado has held its opponents under 70 points in seven of its last 11 games, including a Pac-12 season-low 57 to Arizona State on Jan. 15. The Buffaloes are the second-best rebounding defense team (31.6 rpg) in the Pac-12 and rank fourth in rebound margin (+6.0).
ABOUT THE HUSKIES: Washington is 9-8 overall and 4-3 in the Pac-12. The Huskies won three-straight immediately following the first game against Colorado before falling at Oregon in their last outing, 84-56, on Jan. 23. Washington averages 69.6 points while shooting 39.7 percent from the floor. Defensively, Washington is giving up 72.2 points while teams are shooting 45 percent, both number ranking 11th in the Pac-12. The Huskies are one of the best turnover teams in the nation. Washington leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth in NCAA Division I in turnover margin at plus-5.4 per game. The Huskies force 17.4 turnovers per game, ranking 17th in the nation.
Terrell Brown, Jr., leads the Pac-12 and ranks 12th in the nation in scoring at 20.9 points per game. On the defensive end, Brown tops the conference and ranks fifth nationally in steals at 2.6 per game. Forward Emmitt Matthews, Jr., is second on the team in scoring at 11.6 per game and tops the Huskies in 3-pointers made with 22. Daejon Davis averages 8.1 points and is second on the team in both steals (38) and assists (48). Nate Roberts leads Washington in rebounding at 6.3 per game while averaging 3.9 points per contest.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 33rd meeting between Colorado and Washington with the Huskies holding an 18-14 advantage. Colorado has won three of the last four including a 78-64 decision in Boulder on Jan. 9. Washington has won 12 of 14 all-time meetings in Seattle, including the last five. Colorado’s last win at Alaska Airlines arena was a 64-47 decision on Mar. 5, 2015.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 25th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs fall behind 13-0 to start, rally to shock Oregon, 82-78 – Boyle: “This team showed a lot of guts tonight”
… Related .. “Rally time: CU Buffs men’s basketball shakes off bad start to race past Oregon” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … After two heartbreaking losses at home, Tad Boyle‘s Colorado Buffaloes weren’t about to let an opportunity for a big win slip away on the road.
Instead, they seized the chance. The Buffs overcame a 15-point first-half deficit Tuesday and rallied to collect a critical Pac-12 road win, knocking off Oregon, 82-78, at Matthew Knight Arena.
The Buffs improved to 13-6 overall and 5-4 in Pac-12 play while the Ducks had their six-game win streak come to an end to fall to 12-7, 5-3.
The victory gave the Buffs their first Quadrant One win of the season, a critical piece of the NCAA’s NET rankings, and came on the heels of narrow losses to USC and UCLA at home last week.
CU’s Jabari Walker recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Keeshawn Barthelemy added 19 points and four assists and Tristan da Silva had 15 points.
Quincy Guerrier led Oregon with 22 points.
The win was CU’s first on Oregon’s home floor since 2013 and ended a streak of 13 straight games between the two teams with the home team winning.
Colorado trailed by 15 early in the game, but managed to cut the deficit to five by halftime. The Ducks momentarily rebuilt their lead to nine early in the second half before CU began chipping away at the deficit.
The Buffs took their first lead of the game, 62-61, on an Evan Battey 3-pointer with 9:20 remaining, then went ahead for good with a 7-0 run that gave CU a 69-63 edge with 7:28 on the clock.
The Ducks cut Colorado’s edge to three in the final seconds, but a Battey free throw with 4.9 remaining gave CU a four-point lead to clinch the win.
Colorado shot 58 percent from the floor in the second half (15-for-26) and finished with a 30-22 rebounding edge for the game.
“You have to find a way,” Boyle said. “Our guys found a way tonight. I’m really proud of them. To win on the road after losing two heartbreakers at home, this team showed a lot of guts tonight.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Tough ask: Buffs try to break losing streak with road game against surging Oregon
From the Daily Camera … Timing is everything.
Had the Colorado men’s basketball team played at Oregon as originally intended on Dec. 30, the Buffaloes would have faced a Ducks team that was just 7-6 and a few weeks removed from an embarrassing overtime loss at home against Arizona State. If the game had occurred on the first attempt at a makeup date on Jan. 3, the state of the Ducks wouldn’t have been much different.
Instead, the Buffs finally will visit Oregon on Tuesday. And now the Ducks are the hottest team in the Pac-12 Conference.
While the Buffs have been unable to come up with the signature wins that would push CU into NCAA Tournament contention, the Ducks have shaken off their uneven start to do just that.
“That’s the way the ball bounces,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “The two things that I see is that number one, they’re playing so much harder. They’re playing with great effort and energy at both ends, offensively and defensively. They weren’t playing with a lot of energy (early) at least on the defensive end that I saw. That’s really picked up.
“And number two, they’re shooting the ball well. It’s amazing when shots go in, it gives you sometimes more energy and gives you more pep in your step.”
In addition to the December overtime loss at home against Arizona State, Oregon also suffered a 32-point loss against Brigham Young at home on Nov. 16. Although the Ducks bring a six-game winning streak into Tuesday’s twice-rescheduled date, their turnaround might have actually begun with their most recent loss, when they took No. 1 Baylor down to the wire on Dec. 18.
In the past two weeks, the Ducks have served notice they are ready to be a factor in the Pac-12 race, while also providing hope the Pac-12 won’t be reduced to a three-bid league once the NCAA Tournament field is released. In a span of six days, Oregon posted three consecutive road wins, including an impressive sweep of the nationally ranked Los Angeles schools to become the first Pac-12 team to defeat two top-10 teams on the same road trip. On Sunday, the Ducks dismantled Washington by 28 points, the largest margin of victory ever in a regional rivalry that dates back to 1904.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 23rd
… CU in the Arena …
Losses mount as turnovers continue: “If we can get those turnovers down, we can beat anybody in this league”
From the Daily Camera … If it was just a matter of imploring his players to avoid reckless passes, or even sitting a particular turnover-prone player, curtailing the turnover issues plaguing the Colorado men’s basketball team would at least feature an easily-identified solution.
Yet on a team that often features a different leading scorer every night, the same can be said for the Buffaloes’ turnover problems. In any given game, anyone in the Buffs’ rotation might get bitten by the turnover bug.
In a 71-65 loss on Saturday night against No. 9 UCLA, CU committed a season-high 21 turnovers. While there were other transgressions — surrendering 11 offensive rebounds, for example, as well as a couple of late defensive lapses — none of them proved as critical as CU’s giveaways.
On a night in which the Buffs shot 50 percent, those lost possessions were what turned an upset bid into an 0-5 mark this season against ranked opponents.
“All these young guys that are learning through these live bullets that are coming at them from really good teams and really good players, if our guys will take heed of that and commit to improving, and we can get those turnovers down, we can beat anybody in this league. But if we don’t, we’re going to continue to have nights like this.”
–
—–
January 22nd – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs can’t overcome a 17-point deficit in 71-65 loss to No. 9 UCLA
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado’s furious second-half rally came up just short Saturday and the Buffaloes dropped a 71-65 decision to No. 9 UCLA at the CU Events center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs dropped to 12-6 overall and 4-4 in Pac-12 play while the Bruins improved to 13-2, 5-1.
The Buffs trailed by 15 at intermission, but slowly chipped away at the lead and cut the deficit to just one, 62-61, with 1:54 to play. But that was as close as they could come, as the Bruins hit a key 3-pointer and six free throws in the final 1:30 to slip away with the win.
Jabari Walker led CU with 19 points and seven rebounds. Evan Battey added 15 points and K.J. Simpson and Tristan da Silva each scored 10.
Johnny Juzang led UCLA with 23 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Colorado trailed by 15 at the half, 43-28, after the Bruins outscored the Buffs 22-8 over the last eight minutes of the half.
But CU slowly chiseled away at the lead when the Bruins went cold, hitting just four of their first 15 shots of the half. The Buffs used a 6-0 surge to pull back within single digits, 49-41, with K.J. Simpson scoring four and Evan Battey adding a short jumper off a Julian Hammond III assist.
The Bruins finally answered to push the lead back to 10, but a Lawson Lovering bucket inside cut the deficit back to eight and UCLA called timeout.
But after a Bruins bucket out of the break, Colorado answered with two straight buckets from Tristan da Silva — both off offensive rebounds. That brought another UCLA timeout with 8:09 to play and the Buffs trailed by just six, 53-47, as they limited UCLA to just 10 points in the first 13 minutes of the half.
Colorado then narrowed the gap to three, 55-52, on an Evan Battey 3-pointer with five minutes to play, then pulled back within three a minute later on a Walker three-point play.
UCLA momentarily pushed the lead back to five before the Buffs got back-to-back buckets from Battey and Walker, whose thunderous dunk off a pass from da Silva cut the deficit to 62-61 with 1:54 to play.
But the Bruins answered with a 3-pointer from Tyger Campbell — his first field goal of the game — to go back up by four, 65-61, with 1:30 to play.
Colorado came back with two free throws from Battey on its next possession to pull within 65-63, then forced a UCLA miss and the Buffs called timeout with 36 seconds remaining.
But the Buffs couldn’t convert on the possession, missing a layup, and they were forced to foul. UCLA’s Johnny Juzang hit two free throws with 16 seconds left to rebuild the Bruins’ cushion to four, 67-63.
The Bruins then hit four more free throw in the final seconds to put the game away.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Chance for redemption – Buffs take on No. 9 UCLA
From the Daily Camera … It was the fifth-year senior, Evan Battey, who best articulated the lost value in a missed opportunity.
Battey has played in 117 games at Colorado, which is tied for 23rd all-time, and has started 92, which ranks 15th. After Thursday’s defeat against No. 16 USC, a loss that dropped the Buffaloes to 0-4 this season against ranked opponents, Battey lamented about those dwindling opportunities, particularly now that only six home games remain in his CU career.
“I said before the (USC) game we don’t have many of these opportunities left,” Battey said. “Especially games at home. I’m running out of time, personally.”
Battey and the Buffs will get a chance at redemption, and another shot at a ranked foe, on Saturday night as CU attempts to salvage a split of a key homestand against No. 9 UCLA.
Unlike USC, the Buffs got a taste of UCLA earlier this season, suffering a 12-point loss in Los Angeles on Dec. 1. CU faced a talented roster that night against a Final Four entrant last spring, but this time the Bruins are expecting to have all of their best weapons at their disposal.
During that December defeat, UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez didn’t attempt a shot and played only seven minutes after absorbing a blow to his head during the first half. Starting forward Cody Riley also was sidelined due to an injury that kept him out of the lineup for 15 games before he finally returned earlier this month.
“It’s a better team than we saw,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “Assuming everybody is healthy, we’ll see Jaquez for 35, 36 minutes. We’re going to see Cody Riley for a handful, and Cody Riley is a hell of a player. He’s a low post monster. He can really shoot the ball from 15 to 17 feet. UCLA is good. They didn’t go to the Final Four by accident.”
… Continue reading story here …
—
Game Notes …
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the Pac-12 Conference after dropping a 61-58 decision to No. 16 (AP)/15 (Coaches) USC on Jan. 20. The loss snapped the Buffaloes’ eight-game home winning streak in conference games.
Overall, the Buffaloes have won nine of their last 13 and 35 of 49 (35-14) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just twice – once last year, and once this season.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Ten of Colorado’s games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 8-2 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 70.6 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. The Buffaloes had just 16 field goals made and shot 31.4 percent against the Trojans, both season lows.
After struggling from 3-point range early, Colorado has made 17 of 40 over the last two games (.425). The Buffaloes had a season-high 10 3-point field goals at Arizona State and most in a true road game since hitting 12 at Arizona on Dec. 28, 2020. The Buffaloes hadn’t made more than five in any of the previous five games away from Boulder. Colorado shot 40 percent from downtown against the Sun Devils (10 of 25); the Buffaloes had shot 22 percent (18 of 83) in the previous five away from home.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 65.8 points per game, ranking fifth in the Pac-12. Colorado has held its opponents under 70 points in seven of its last nine games, including a Pac-12 season-low 57 to Arizona State on Jan. 15. USC was held to 61 points, the Trojans’ second-fewest of their season.
ABOUT THE BRUINS: No. 9 ranked UCLA is 12-2 overall and 4-1 in the Pac-12. The Bruins are coming off a 63-58 win at Utah on Jan. 20 to hold onto their second-place position in the conference standings. UCLA averages 79.4 points per game, ranking second in the Pac-12 and 28th in the nation. The Bruins shot 45.6 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from 3-point range. UCLA is one of the best teams in the country in terms of taking care of the ball. The Bruins turn the ball over just 9.7 times per game, ranking ninth in the nation. Defensively, UCLA allows 66.2 points while opponents shoot 41.8 percent.
Johnny Juzang leads UCLA at 17.9 points per game along with a team-best 28 3-point field goals. Jules Bernard averages 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds while ranking second on the team in assists with 31. Jaime Jaquez, Jr., averages 12.8 points while ranking second on the team in both steals (14) and rebounds (5.7 rpg). Myles Johnson leads UCLA in rebounding at 5.9 per game while averaging 4.4 points on 61.0 percent shooting. Tyger Campbell tops the Bruins in assists (61) while averaging 12.2 points an outing.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 23rd meeting between Colorado and UCLA with the Bruins holding a 15-7 advantage. UCLA took the first meeting of the season, a 73-61 decision on Dec. 1, in Los Angeles. Colorado holds a 5-4 advantage in Boulder, including a 70-61 decision on Feb. 27, 2021.
–
—–
January 20th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs falter down the stretch in 61-58 loss to No. 16 USC
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado came up short in its bid for a win over a ranked team Thursday, as the Buffaloes dropped a 61-58 decision to No. 16 Southern California at the CU Events Center.
Colorado fell to 12-5 overall and 4-3 in Pac-12 play while the Trojans improved to 15-2, 5-2.
The Buffs led, 50-45, with 6:40 to play, but USC outscored Colorado 16-8 down the stretch for the win.
Jabari Walker led CU with 13 points and Evan Battey and Tristan da Silva each added 10.
Chevez Goodwin led USC with 14 points.
The Buffs shot just 31 percent from the floor (16-for-51) and were outrebounded, 47-32. USC had 18 offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points.
HOW IT HAPPENED: After a late CU rally in the first half sent the Buffs into intermission tied at 25-25, the Trojans jumped out to a six-point lead early in the second half. USC used a 7-0 run to take a 43-37 edge seven minutes in as the Buffs came up empty on five straight possessions.
But Colorado responded with a 10-0 run over the next six minutes to take a 47-43 lead with 8:18 to play. Nique Clifford, who had his first career start, began the run with a thunderous dunk on a fast break, fueled by a Jabari Walker steal. Battey then added a bucket inside, Luke O’Brien drained a long 3-pointer and Clifford capped the drive with another long trey.
That brought on a USC timeout and the Trojans regrouped after the break to tie the game at 50-50 on an Isaiah Mobley dunk with five minutes to play.
Colorado momentarily regained the lead on two K.J. Simpson free throws before the Trojans went ahead, 53-52, on a Boogie Ellis three-point play.
The Buffs again tied the game on a Battey free throw with 2:43 to play before USC took a 57-54 lead with 1:39 to play.
Colorado again closed the gap to one with two Walker free throws before Chevez Goodwin hit one of two free throw tries for a 58-56 USC lead with 26 seconds left.
That gave the Buffs a chance to tie on their next possession, but CU missed a shot at the rim and the Trojans added another free throw. The Buffs then turned it over on their next possession and the Trojans added two more free throws with six seconds left to ice the win.
The Buffs were outrebounded 47-32 in the game and CU shot just 31 percent (16-for-51).
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
An eighth straight win over USC would boost CU’s NCAA tournament resume
From the Daily Camera … Sure, it’s a longstanding winning streak. Yet it’s one few of the current Colorado Buffaloes have contributed to.
A source of pride in recent seasons for coach Tad Boyle’s CU men’s basketball program has been the three-year run against USC, a winning streak that began amid terse and emotional exchanges, has included three straight road wins for the Buffs, and was last on display when CU posted a thrilling, last-minute win against the Trojans in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals.
However, for the bulk of the crew set to take the CU Events Center floor on Thursday against the 16th-ranked Trojans, those previous wins were other players’ battles. The onus is on the younger players who have taken over CU’s rotation to keep the streak alive.
Winners of seven straight against USC, the Buffs begin a weekend critical to any potential postseason push by looking to make it eight in a row against the Trojans on Thursday evening.
“It’s a big game for us. We haven’t been able to beat a ranked team yet,” sophomore wing Nique Clifford said. “We get an opportunity to just to that. And then being a rivalry. We’ve got to come out and play our best. I think we’ve beat them seven times in a row. We don’t want to let that streak up and we’ve got to take pride in that. The older guys before us have done their part, so now it’s our turn to just keep that streak going.”
… Continue reading story here …
—
Game Notes …
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 12-4 overall and 4-2 in the Pac-12 Conference after splitting its Arizona road trip last week. The Buffaloes saw a season-best five-game win streak snapped at No. 6 ranked Arizona, 76-55, on Jan. 13, but bounced back with a 75-57 decision at Arizona State on Jan. 15.
Colorado has won at least one game during each of its last five multi-contest Pac-12 road trips. The Buffaloes haven’t been “swept” on a conference road trip since falling at California and Stanford at the end of the 2019-20 season.
Overall, the Buffaloes have won nine of their last 12 and 35 of 48 (35-13) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just twice – once last year, and once this season.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Nine of Colorado’s games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 8-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 71.4 points per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. The Buffaloes had a season-high 10 3-point field goals at Arizona State and most in a true road game since hitting 12 at Arizona on Dec. 28, 2020. The Buffaloes hadn’t made more than five in any of the previous five games away from Boulder. Colorado shot 40 percent from downtown against the Sun Devils (10 of 25); the Buffaloes had shot 22 percent (18 of 83) in the previous five away from home.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 66.1 points per game while opponents have shot 41.1 percent. Arizona State’s 57 are the fewest Colorado has allowed to a Pac-12 opponent this season.
ABOUT THE TROJANS: No. 16 (AP)/15 (Coaches) USC is 14-2 overall and tied with Colorado for third in the Pac-12 at 4-2. The Trojans won their first 13 games of the season and climbed as high as No. 5 in the AP poll on Jan. 10 before dropping two of their last three contests. USC averages 75.4 points while shooting 48 percent from the floor, the latter ranking second in the Pac-12. The Trojans sport the seventh-best shooting defense in the country, allowing opponents just 37.4 percent from the field. USC also ranks 10th in the nation in rebounds at 41.6 per game.
Isaiah Mobley leads USC at 15.3 points and a Pac-12 best 9.2 rebounds per game. Mobley is also the Trojans’ top 3-point shooter at 44.4 percent and 28 made on the season. Chevez Goodwin averages 13.0 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 63.6 percent, ranking third in the Pac-12. Boogie Ellis averages 12.6 points while dishing out 2.9 assists per game. Drew Peterson tops the Trojans in assists (3.2 apg) while averaging 11.1 points per outing.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 24th meeting between Colorado and USC with the Buffaloes holding a 16-7 series lead. The Buffaloes have won seven-straight against the Trojans including all three match ups in 2020-21 highlighted by a 72-70 classic in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament. Colorado is 8-2 against USC in Boulder, having won the last three.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 19th
… CU in the Arena …
At the midway point of the season, roles for new Buffs have been defined
From the Daily Camera … Last week’s trip through Arizona pushed the Colorado men’s basketball team past the midway point of the season in terms of games played.
At the outset of the season, the Buffaloes were a team in need of young players being ready to take over prominent roles. As the Buffs get ready to begin a critical homestand Thursday evening against No. 16 USC (5:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network), those roles have largely been cemented.
Head coach Tad Boyle has used the same starting lineup in all 16 games — sophomores Jabari Walker, Keeshawn Barthelemy and Tristan da Silva alongside seniors Evan Battey and Elijah Parquet. And off the bench, it is sophomores Nique Clifford and Luke O’Brien, along with freshman KJ Simpson, who are doing most of the heavy lifting.
“I think (the bench players) are getting used to it, and they’re growing up,” Boyle said. “Nique, he made unbelievable strides in the Arizona State game in terms of his defense. We know he’s been rebounding the ball well all year. And KJ is coming in and knows what’s expected of him now. And Luke, they’re all growing up. They’re all understanding what it takes to win, but also understanding what it takes to lose.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 18th
… CU in the Arena …
Evan Battey hopes to remain undefeated against his hometown USC Trojans
From the Daily Camera … It was four years ago last week when the rivalry changed for good.
The night of Jan. 10, 2018 was a memorable one, if not a victorious one, for the Colorado men’s basketball team in Los Angeles. Coming off wins at home against ranked teams from Arizona State and, especially, Arizona, the bolstered confidence of a young Buffaloes team was derailed by a 70-58 loss at USC.
Four days previous, CU head coach Tad Boyle offered his “hell yes!” exclamation following the win against Arizona when asked if there was extra satisfaction in defeating one of the teams embroiled in the then-new FBI recruiting corruption probe.
USC, of course, was one of those teams, too. And with the Trojans holding that 12-point lead, head coach Andy Enfield took a timeout in the waning seconds to lead a courtside celebration with his team. The Trojans then tried to run a set play on their final possession.
USC completed a regular season sweep of the Buffs that year, but CU has enjoyed payback ever since. Fifth-year senior and Los Angeles native Evan Battey was redshirting as a true freshman that season, and was just weeks removed from the stroke that threatened to end his basketball career. As an active player, he has never lost to the Trojans in three seasons covering seven games. That run will be put to the test when the Buffs open a homestand ripe with opportunity against the Trojans on Thursday (5:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
“Any time you go and play against a hometown team like USC, right down the street from me, it’s a great opportunity to just compete,” Battey said. “I’m definitely going to miss playing them. I’m sorry I didn’t get to play them at the Galen Center this year. It’s coming to an end…all the rivalries I had coming in to my college career are coming to an end.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 17th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
No. 22 Buffs fall in overtime on the road against Oregon State, 69-66
… Despite losing to No. 2 Stanford on Friday, the Buffs remained at No. 22 in this week’s Associated Press poll. If the Buffs want to stay ranked for a third-straight week, they may have to sweep road games against Arizona State (8-5, 0-0) on Friday and No. 10 Arizona (12-2, 2-2) on Sunday …
From CUBuffs.com … In a back-and-forth overtime thriller, the Colorado women’s basketball team fell to Oregon State 69-66 Monday afternoon at Gill Coliseum.
Colorado fell to 13-2 with a 2-2 mark in Pac-12 play. The Beavers improved to 8-4 and 1-1 in conference play.
Quay Miller was the leading scorer from CU with 18 followed by Mya Hollingshed and Frida Formann each with 13. Hollingshed led in the rebounding category with 11.
Colorado stormed back in the fourth quarter after being down five early in the period. Oregon State’s Ellie Mack connected a tightly contested jumper in the lane to tie things up and head to overtime. In the overtime period, neither squad could get in a rhythm, but the Beavers hit one more shot than the Buffs with a 3-pointer from Talia von Oelhoffen and escaped with a narrow victory.
Von Oelhoffen led the Beavers with 17 points and Mack followed with 16.
Up Next
Colorado will stay on the road as they travel to Tempe for a 5 p.m. matchup with Arizona State Friday. Game can be seen on the Pac-12 Networks.
–
—
CU women back in action with makeup game against Oregon State
Related … “No. 22 Buffs Start the Week at Oregon State” … from CUBuffs.com
From the Daily Camera … Friday night’s matchup with No. 2 Stanford was a big game for the Colorado women’s basketball team, but it didn’t take long for the Buffaloes to turn the page.
Less than 24 hours after the disappointing 60-52 defeat, the Buffaloes were on an airplane, headed for Corvallis, Ore., and another daunting challenge.
On Monday, the 22nd-ranked Buffs (13-1, 2-1 Pac-12) will visit Oregon State (7-4, 0-1) in a game originally scheduled for Dec. 31 but postponed because of COVID-19 issues at CU.
Challenge No. 1 for the Buffs is to avoid letting Friday’s disappointment spill into Monday.
“Culturally we’re very much about being excellent today,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “I don’t think that’s a difficult task for us with this team, because so much of what we do is just focused on winning the day, competing today, getting better today. So I think honestly, we’ll watch the film and we’ll be over (the loss to Stanford).”
An even bigger challenge for CU is the number of road games on the upcoming schedule.
Monday kicks off what is now scheduled to be a four-game road swing over the next 12 days. That’s followed by a three-game homestand and another four-game road swing.
Although COVID-19 postponements and reschedules could change future slates, Utah is the only other team in the Pac-12 with even one four-game road swing scheduled.
“On paper, I would say that’s not really fair, but it is what it is,” Payne said. “We’re thrilled to have the game rescheduled. With that being said, we’re going to have to show a whole lot of resilience in the coming two weeks.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 15th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs salvage a desert split with a 75-57 road win over Arizona State
… Related … “Bounce back: All-around performance gives CU Buffs key road win at Arizona State” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado broke open a tight game with a second-half barrage of 3-pointers and stellar defense and Jabari Walker notched his eighth double-double of the season Saturday to lift the Buffaloes to a 75-57 win over Arizona State at Desert Financial Arena.
The win gave Tad Boyle‘s Buffs a split of their road trip to the desert, as they improved to 12-4 overall and 4-2 in Pac-12 play. Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils, who were playing just their second game in 26 days, fell to 5-9, 1-3.
Colorado jumped out to a big lead early, taking a 15-3 edge six minutes in before the Sun Devils battled back to close the gap to three by halftime, 37-34. But the Buffs regained command for good by hitting five 3-pointers in the first seven minutes of the second half to rebuild their lead to double digits and ASU never threatened again.
Walker finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds for the 10th double-double of his career. Guard Keeshawn Barthelemy just missed a double-double, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Evan Battey and Tristan da Silva each scored 11. Nique Clifford added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Jalen Graham led ASU with 16 points.
The Buffs held ASU to just 34 percent shooting (20-for-59), including a 9-for-29 effort in the second half. Colorado shot 43 percent for the game (25-for-58), including 10-for-25 from beyond the arc, and also held a dominating 46-31 edge on the boards.
Colorado also finished with 17 assists on its 25 baskets.
“Our guys really responded to the whooping we took in Tucson (a 76-55 loss on Thursday),” Boyle said. “We took a big step forward, especially in the second half, on both offense and defense.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
CU at Arizona State is on – a “must win” for the Buffs
From the Daily Camera … A must win? If the Colorado men’s basketball team hopes to make a run at NCAA Tournament consideration, that probably will be the case on Saturday night.
For the first time in two years, the Buffaloes will visit Arizona State (8 p.m. MT, ESPN2). Three of CU’s four losses so far this season have occurred against top-15 teams in Tennessee (13th when they played the Buffs, but No. 22 now), UCLA, and Arizona, which thumped the Buffs on Thursday night.
The losses against UCLA and Arizona were CU’s only true road games so far this season, but ASU presents a more manageable opportunity for the Buffs to pick up their first road win of the year. The game also presents an opportunity for CU to get its long-range shooting touch on track. CU has shot just .217 (18-for-83) on 3-pointers in its five games away from the CU Events Center, where the Buffs have shot a decent .358 from the arc.
ASU enters Saturday ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in defensive 3-point percentage, allowing teams to shoot .329.
“You just have to have confidence and get more reps up,” CU forward Evan Battey said. “That’s all you can do, honestly. There’s no magical pixie dust to shoot threes better or make threes better. It’s just reps and confidence.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
Game Notes …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 11-4 overall and 3-2 in the Pac-12 Conference after seeing its season-best five-game win streak snapped at No. 6 ranked Arizona, 76-55, on Jan. 13. The Buffaloes have still won eight of 11 and 34 of 47 (34-13) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just twice – once last year, and once this season.
ABOUT THE SUN DEVILS: Arizona State is 5-8 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-12. The Sun Devils, who have lost their last two, have played just once since Dec. 19, a 74-50 setback at California on Jan. 2. Arizona State averages 63.1 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent overall and 28.2 percent from the 3-point line, all ranking last in the Pac-12. Defensively, Arizona State gives up 67.3 points per game while opponents shoot 41.2 percent. The Sun Devils rank third in the Pac-12 in blocked shots at 4.5 per game and fourth in steals at 6.4 an outing.
DJ Horne leads Arizona State at 13.7 points per game. He has a team-best 34 3-point field goals, ranking third in the Pac-12 at 2.6 per game, shooting 41 percent from long range. Kimani Lawrence leads the Sun Devils and ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in rebounding at 7.8 per game while averaging 11.1 points an outing. Marreon Jackson leads Arizona State and ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in assists at 4.0 per game. Luther Muhammad averages 6.2 points while leading the Sun Devils in steals (16).
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 23rd meeting between Colorado and Arizona State with the Buffaloes holding a 13-9 series lead. The Buffaloes have won the last four and six of the last eight meetings. Colorado has won just twice in 10 tries in Tempe, but one was the last visit to Desert Financial Arena, a 68-61 decision, on Jan. 16, 2020.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 14th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs lead for three quarters, but ultimately fall to No. 2 Stanford, 60-52
… Related … “CU Buffs women handed first defeat, fall to No. 2 Stanford” … From the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … The No. 22 Colorado Buffaloes battled but came up short in a 60-52 loss to No. 2 Stanford Cardinal in front of an electric CU Events Center crowd.
“I’m really proud of our ball club,” said head coach JR Payne. “I think two really good basketball teams played tonight. Two teams that should be competing at the highest level and we both did tonight. We competed and battled. There are so many things we can learn from.”
Winners of 13 straight to start the season, Colorado dropped their first game of the year and fell to 13-1 and 2-1 in Pac-12 play.
The Cardinal improved to 12-3 on the year and 3-0 in conference play.
Quay Miller led the way for the Buffs with 16 points followed by Peanut Tuitele who had 10. Kindyll Wetta dished out three assists and Lesila Finau led in the rebounding category with four.
Colorado forced 13 first-quarter turnovers, the most CU has forced in a quarter in school history. Junior point guard Jaylyn Sherrod tied a school record for steals in a quarter with four in the first period and finished the game with five.
“Tonight, shows how good we are as a defensive team,” Tuitele said. “We came out hot and we were all playing our roles. Everyone was guarding hard and knew the scout. It just shows that we can be one of the best defenses in the country.”
Despite the great start, Stanford fought back and used a strong second half, outscoring CU 36-24, to pull away from the Buffs.
Haley Jones led with 11 points for the Cardinal followed by Cameron Brink and Ashten Prechtel who each had 10.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
No. 22 Buffs in search of national respect v. Stanford
… Related … “Clash of Top-Ranked Teams Set for Friday” ,,, from CUBuffs.com
From the Daily Camera … The preparation is the same, but those in the Colorado women’s basketball program know that Friday isn’t just another game.
No. 22 Colorado (13-0, 2-0 Pac-12) is the only undefeated team in all of Division I college basketball – 714 teams between men and women – and the Buffaloes will welcome defending national champion and current No. 2 Stanford (11-3, 2-0) to Boulder.
“We haven’t shied away from any of it,” CU head coach JR Payne said of the attention showered upon her team this week. “There’s a lot of potential distractions, but it is unbelievably important that we don’t allow them to be distractions. You want to be talked about, you want to have people coming to the game and things like that, but we have to be laser-focused on Stanford because if it’s anything short of that you don’t give yourself a chance to be successful.”
Friday’s game will be the first matchup of Top 25 teams in Boulder since No. 4 Stanford knocked off No. 17 Colorado on Jan. 12, 2014.
It’s been nine years since CU played in the NCAA Tournament or made much noise in the Pac-12. Since then, the Buffs have been fighting for relevance. This week, they’ve been recognized nationally, they’re projected as an NCAA Tournament team and have an opportunity to further enhance their postseason resume by beating the Cardinal.
“You always dream about going to college and playing for a top program and going to the big dance and having all those experiences that you see on TV,” CU senior Mya Hollingshed said. “I definitely wanted to have those when I came to college. We like to see our hard work pay off and over my five years, I can say our hard work is finally paying off. There’s people that have been here before that have paved the way and helped us get here honestly.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 13th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs remain winless at McKale Center as No. 6 Arizona pulls away for 76-55 victory
… Related … “Big second half by No. 6 Arizona buries CU Buffs” … from the Daily Camera
… CU is 0-11 all-time at the McKale Center … 0-10 under Tad Boyle … CU hasn’t won a game in Tucson since 1965 …
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado couldn’t overcome poor shooting Thursday night and Arizona turned up the heat in the second half as the Buffaloes dropped a 76-55 decision to the sixth-ranked Wildcats at the McKale Center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs saw their five-game win streak come to an end while falling to 11-4 overall and 3-2 in Pac-12 play. It was CU’s 10th straight loss on the Wildcats’ home floor in the Boyle era.
Arizona improved to 13-1, 3-0.
The Buffs trailed by as much as 15 in the first half before narrowing the deficit to four by intermission, 32-28. But the Wildcats pushed their lead back into double digits early in the second half and Colorado never had another answer, as CU endured a five-minute scoring drought in a key second-half stretch.
Freshman K.J. Simpson led Colorado with 17 points, 14 in the first half. Simpson, who originally committed to Arizona last year before signing with Colorado, also added four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Evan Battey had nine points and seven rebounds for CU.
Azuolas Tubelis and Justin Kier each had 14 for Arizona.
CU shot a season-low 33 percent from the floor (21-for-64), including 4-for-20 from 3-point range. The Wildcats shot 51 percent (29-for-57) and outrebounded the Buffs, 44-33, including a 27-12 edge in the second half.
Arizona also had a 42-28 edge in points in the paint and the Buffs gave up 22 fast-break points.
“I was really proud of our guys’ fight in the first half,” Boyle said. “Once we settled in, our guys fought back. But in the second half, I did an awful job of coaching. We gave up too many layups and we got selfish on offense. That’s my fault.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs taking on No. 6 Arizona
… Related … “Improved play by CU Buffs will be put to test at No. 6 Arizona” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 11-3 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12 Conference after sweeping the Washington schools at home last week. The Buffaloes downed Washington State, 83-78 on Jan. 6, recording their 100th Pac-12 regular season win in the process, then claimed a 78-64 decision over Washington on Jan. 9.
Colorado has won five-straight and eight of its last 10 games. The Buffaloes have won 34 of 46 (34-12) dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span, the Buffaloes have suffered back-to-back losses just twice – once last year, and once this season.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Nine of Colorado’s 14 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 8-1 in those contests
Colorado is averaging 72.4 points per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field. The Buffaloes shot 40 percent from 3-point range against the Washington schools (14 of 35), an improvement from the 30.8 percent they were shooting from long range entering last week.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 66.0 points per game while opponents have shot 40.9 percent. Colorado allowed 78 to Washington State – its second most this season. Prior to the recent layoff, the Buffaloes defense had allowed just 52.3 points over the previous three games.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS: No. 6 ranked Arizona is 12-1 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12. The Wildcats lone loss came at Tennessee, 77-73, on Dec. 22. Arizona has played just one game since that loss, a 95-79 home win over Washington on Jan. 3. The Wildcats sport the nation’s top offense at 89.9 points per game. Arizona also leads the country in assists (21.8 apg), scoring margin (+24.8) and rebounds (43.9 rpg). Defensively, the Wildcats allow 65.2 points per game while opponents shoot 36.8 percent. Arizona is second in the nation in defensive boards (31.0 drpg) and third in blocks (6.6 bpg).
Bennedict Mathurin leads Arizona and ranks second in the Pac-12 in scoring at 18.9 points per game. Mathurin shoots 51 percent from the field and is second on the team in 3-pointers (32) and steals (14). Azuolas Tubelis averages 14.8 points while ranking third on the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and assists (41). Christian Koloko averages 13.5 points while shooting at team-best 62.4 percent. Koloko leads the Pac-12 and ranks sixth in the nation in blocks at 3.4 per game. Kerr Kriisa leads the Pac-12 in assists (5.0 apg) while averaging 12.5 points an outing.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 37th meeting between Colorado and Arizona with the Wildcats holding a 21-15 edge. The teams split their series in 2020-21 with each winning at home. Arizona holds a 12-3 all-time lead in Tucson. The Buffaloes last win at Arizona came on Dec. 20, 1965.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS: Colorado is 0-2 against ranked teams in 2021-22 after dropping a 69-54 decision to No. 13/15 Tennessee on Dec. 4. Colorado was 3-3 against ranked teams in 2020-21; its most games against ranked opponents in three seasons. Colorado’s 22 wins over ranked opponents in the Tad Boyle era is by far the best in team history. In fact Boyle coached teams, with a record of 22-38, have accounted for 33 percent of wins over ranked opponents (66) since 1949-50.
… Continue reading Game Notes here …
–
—–
January 12th
… CU in the Arena …
CU at Oregon rescheduled for January 25th
From CUBuffs.com … Twice postponed, the University of Colorado’s men’s basketball game at Oregon has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25, in Eugene, Ore. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. MT and air on the Pac-12 Network and KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
The game had originally been slated for Dec. 30, but was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffaloes’ program. The teams were able to reschedule for Jan. 3, but that date was postponed due to Oregon COVID-19 issues.
Following the game at Oregon, Colorado will continue on its originally scheduled trip to the Pacific Northwest, playing at Washington on Thursday, Jan. 27 and at Washington State on Sunday, Jan. 30.
With the rescheduled contest, Colorado (11-3, 3-1 Pac-12) will be on the road for five of its next seven games beginning with No. 6 ranked Arizona on Thursday, Jan. 13.
Colorado continues to work with Oregon State and the Pac-12 to reschedule the game in Corvallis, originally scheduled for Jan. 1, that was affected by the Buffaloes’ earlier COVID-19 issues.
–
—
Buffs may lose Saturday game at Arizona State – Boyle: “We’re willing to stay down and play on Sunday”
From the Daily Camera … Barring any last-minute change of plans — which certainly is a reasonable fear these days — the Colorado men’s basketball team will head to Arizona on Wednesday evening ahead of a huge battle at No. 6 Arizona.
Who, or even if, the Buffaloes play on the back half of the trip might still be up in the air even when the CU team flight takes off.
Following a home sweep of the Washington teams and an off day on Monday, the Buffs returned to practice on Tuesday with an eye on pulling off an upset at Arizona on Thursday (9 p.m. MT, FS1) that would give CU its first road win at Arizona in 56 years.
However, on Monday night Arizona State announced that because of its program’s ongoing COVID-19 issues, the Sun Devils’ Thursday night home date against Utah has been postponed. CU (11-3, 3-1 Pac-12) is scheduled to complete its road trip at ASU on Saturday night.
“We’re willing to stay down and play Sunday. We’re willing to do whatever we have to do to get that game,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “My job is to serve our players, and our players want to play gamers. (The seniors), it’s their last go-around. Their junior year was already messed up with no fans. Now we’re cancelling games, postponing games. I just want to get the games in. Whatever we have to do to get the Arizona State game in from our standpoint, we’ll do within reason.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 11th
… CU in the Arena …
No. 22 CU women ESPN’s and USBAW’s national “Team of the Week”
From ESPN …
Team of the Week: Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffs are the last undefeated team in Division I, moving to 13-0 with victories over USC and UCLA on Friday and Sunday. Admittedly, Colorado still hasn’t played a ranked team, which will change Friday when the Buffs host No. 2 Stanford. But they did beat the Cardinal last year in Boulder, Colorado. Fifth-year senior Mya Hollingshed is leading the Buffs, averaging 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds.
Win of the Week: USC 76, No. 4 Arizona 67
Because of COVID-19 issues, neither team had played since the weekend of Dec. 17-19 until both returned to action Friday. The Wildcats beat Washington State to stay unbeaten, while the Trojans fell at Colorado (emphasis added). But Sunday in Los Angeles, USC handed Arizona its first loss with a 27-point outburst in the fourth quarter. Junior guard Alyson Miura led the way with 15 points and six assists.
–
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado and junior guard Jaylyn Sherrod were both honored by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association on Tuesday. The Buffaloes were the USBAW Women’s Team of the Week, while Sherrod was announced as the Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Week.
Sherrod, a 5-7 junior guard from Birmingham, Ala., averaged 20.0 points and 8.0 assists in two Colorado wins, enabling the Buffs to remain the last unbeaten Division I women’s team at 13-0. She also earned her first Pac-12 player of the week honor, having scored a career-high 25 points in Sunday’s 71-63 win over UCLA and earlier on the weekend, had 15 points and six rebounds in Friday’s conference opening 71-58 win at USC, committing just two turnovers overall in both games. She is second in the nation with a 3.56 assist-to-turnover ratio.
With the twin wins last weekend at home in Boulder, the Buffs achieved their first ever sweep of the Los Angeles duo of USC and UCLA since joining the Pac-12 resulting in a current 13-0 record after snapping a 10-game losing streak to the Bruins. The achievements helped Colorado return to the AP Poll on Monday after a brief appearance in the rankings earlier this season. On Friday they’ll host No. 2 Stanford, the defending national champs whom a year ago they beat, becoming at the time the ninth-ever unranked team to beat the No. 1-ranked opponent.
It’s the second consecutive season the Buffs have earned USBWA honors. Last year Frida Formann was the National Freshman of the Week, following CU’s upset over Stanford. Sherrod is the second Buff to be named National Player of the Week, joining Chucky Jeffery’s award on Dec. 16, 2012.
–
—–
January 10th
… CU in the Arena …
CU women back in the polls, coming in at No. 22
From the Daily Camera … Colorado is back in the Top 25.
On Monday, the CU women’s basketball team moved into the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, sitting at No. 22.
At 13-0 (2-0 Pac-12), the Buffaloes are the only remaining undefeated team in the country. The Buffs were briefly in the rankings, at No. 25, on Dec. 6, but fell out the next week and have been knocking on the door since.
This is CU’s highest ranking since being at No. 20 for the Dec. 26, 2016, poll. This is also the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Buffs have been ranked at any point after playing conference games.
On Friday night, the Buffs will host No. 2 Stanford (11-3). The Cardinal are the defending national champion but lost in their last visit to Boulder, 77-72 in overtime on Jan. 17, 2021. Stanford was No. 1 at the time.
Friday’s game will mark the first matchup of Top 25 teams in Boulder since No. 4 Stanford knocked off No. 17 Colorado on Jan. 12, 2014.
–
Julian Hammond/Jaylyn Sherrod named Pac-12 Players of the Week
Press Releases from CUBuffs.com …
University of Colorado’s Julian Hammond III has been named the Pac-12 Conference Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week, for games played Jan. 3-9, the league office announced on Monday.
Hammond is Colorado’s second Freshman of the Week this season and third overall for an award just in its third year of existence. K.J. Simpson received the honor back on Nov. 29, 2021. Jabari Walker earned the initial Buffaloes honor, on Jan. 18, 2021.
A 6-foot-3, 181-pound guard from Denver, Hammond played a key role off the bench in Colorado’s Pac-12 wins over Washington and Washington State last week, averaging 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists while hitting 55 percent from the field.
Against Washington State on Jan. 6, he grabbed five rebounds, had four steals and dished out four assists – all career-highs. His four steals matched Luke O’Brien’s team season-best effort against Maine. Prior to the WSU game he totaled all of one assist and one steal in his first eight career games.
In the win over Washington on Jan. 9, Hammond scored a career-high 14 points in just over 12 minutes of action, hitting 5 of 7 from the field including all four 3-point attempts.
Colorado, 11-3 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12, continues conference action this week with a trip to the Arizona schools. The Buffaloes face No. 6 Arizona on Thursday, Jan. 13 (9 p.m., FS1, KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM), in Tucson and Arizona State on Saturday, Jan. 15 (8 p.m., ESPN2, KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM) in Tempe.
–
Colorado junior Jaylyn Sherrod earned her first career Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week honor the league announced on Monday.
Sherrod, a Birmingham, Ala., native, led the newly ranked No. 22 Buffaloes to CU’s first-weekend sweep of USC and UCLA. She averaged 20.0 points, 8.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds as the Buffs improved to 13-0 overall and stand as the only unbeaten DI team in the NCAA.
Sherrod helped guide the shorthanded Buffs to a 71-58 win over the Trojans to start the weekend. She registered 15 points and handed out eight assists. She continued to shine on Sunday, posting a career-high 25 points to go with eight more assists in CU’s first win over UCLA since 2014. Her eight assists against the Bruins led to 21 points for the Buffs.
CU’s standout guard only turned the ball over twice on the weekend and now ranks second in the NCAA with a 3.56 assist-turnover ratio. Sherrod also got the job done at the free-throw line, hitting 18-of-23 (78.3 percent), including career-highs in makes (13) and attempts (17) against UCLA. She also forced four steals, giving her 25 this season.
Sherrod earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week once in her rookie season. She’s the first Buffs to earn the weekly award since her teammate Mya Hollingshed did so on Jan. 18 last season, following CU’s upset of then No. 1 Stanford.
No. 22 Colorado gears up for a ranked showdown against No. 2 Stanford on Friday (7 p.m. MT, Pac-12 Network). It will be the first time a ranked CU team has hosted a top 25 opponent since No. 4 Stanford took on the No. 17 Buffs on Jan. 12, 2014.
–
—–
Depth of CU bench showcased in win over Washington
From the Daily Camera … The Colorado men’s basketball team has operated the entire season with 12 scholarship players, one fewer than the full allotment.
The Buffaloes also have been forced to watch two of the top figures in the team’s vaunted recruiting class, Quincy Allen and Javon Ruffin, remain sidelined due to injury. A third freshman, guard KJ Simpson, was unavailable on Sunday due to a concussion he suffered three days earlier against Washington State.
Yet despite those setbacks, the Buffs are a team that counts depth as a strength. Julian Hammond III and Luke O’Brien showed why that is the case during CU’s 78-64 win against Washington at the CU Events Center.
Hammond, again filling in for Simpson, enjoyed the finest game of his young career against the Huskies. And while O’Brien didn’t score a point, his contributions nonetheless were critical as the Buffs steadily pulled away from UW.
“We had good minutes from Luke O’Brien,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “Julian Hammond played good minutes off the bench. Nique Clifford continues to come along. The depth of this team is starting to grow up.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 9th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Tristan da Silva’s career-high 22 leads Buffs to fifth straight win, 78-64 over Washington
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado’s Tristan da Silva poured in a career-high 22 points and the Buffaloes gave coach Tad Boyle his 300th career win Sunday, topping Washington 78-64 at the CU Events Center.
The win, CU’s fifth in a row, improved the Buffaloes to 11-3 overall and 3-1 in Pac-12 play. The Huskies fell to 6-7, 1-2.
Da Silva was one of three Buffs in double-figure scoring. Freshman guard Julian Hammond III added a career-high 14 points and sophomore Jabari Walker collected his seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Cole Bajema led the Huskies with 18 points, but CU’s Elijah Parquet held Terrell Brown — the conference’s leading scorer — to 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The Buffs dominated UW on the boards, 47-27, and shot 48 percent from the floor (31-for-64). Colorado also held the Huskie to just 36 percent shooting (21-for-58).
HOW IT HAPPENED: Colorado led by 11 at halftime, 39-28, and built the margin to 15 early in the second half on an Evan Battey bucket inside.
But the Huskies slowly battled back and used a 7-0 run to cut Colorado’s lead to five, 48-43, with 12:23 left to play.
The Buffs, though, answered with a decisive run. CU got three unanswered baskets to push the margin back to 11 as Elijah Parquet scored on a layup, Battey followed with a basket inside and da Silva drove the lane to push CU’s lead back to 11, 54-43.
Colorado then continued to build its lead, pushing the cushion to as much as 17 with just under five minutes to play when a Walker bucket gave CU a 69-52 edge. Hammond helped CU build its big lead with a pair of 3-pointers en route to his career high.
The Buffs also helped their cause by eliminating turnovers. After giving the ball away 12 times in the first half, CU had just one turnover in the first 16 minutes of the second.
Washington never mounted another serious threat down the stretch.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
CU women heading for national ranking after 71-63 win over UCLA (first win over Bruins since 2014)
… Buffs were ranked 26th last week, but a 2-0 weekend – leaving the Buffs as the only undefeated woman’s team – should put CU into national polls …
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado continues to rack up the wins, picking up a 71-63 victory over UCLA on Sunday. The Buffaloes victory broke a 10-game losing streak to the Bruins and marked CU’s first-weekend sweep of USC and UCLA.
“I just told the team I’m really proud of them,” head coach JR Payne said after the win. “I think every team is going through some adversity or another. We’re no different. To come out and sweep our opening weekend in the Pac-12, on a short turnaround, when our opponent had a lot of time to prepare for us. We had a very short amount of time to prepare for a great team like UCLA. [That] just shows a lot of resilience. A lot of togetherness, a lot of cohesion and I’m super proud of our ballclub.”
Junior Jaylyn Sherrod scored a career-high 25 points, helping the Buffs improve to 13-0. She also handed out a game-high eight assists for the second straight contest. Sherrod was just 5-for-12 from the field but did her damage from the free-throw line, picking up career-highs in makes (13) and attempts (17).
The Buffs, who trailed after the first quarter for the first time this season, had to shake off a slow start on the way to their first 2-0 conference start since the 2006-07 season.
“I very much like to stay in the moment as far as our team and what we’re doing,” Payne continued. “That’s why I use the phrase ‘we just want to go 1-0 on game day.’ So whoever we play on that day, I want to beat them and that’s it.”
Offensively, Colorado made just 19 field goals, its second-lowest total of the season. Sophomore Frida Formann put in 14 points, with the aid of three 3-pointers. Mya Hollingshed was largely held in check by the Bruins but still fought her way to 10 points and seven rebounds.
UCLA (5-4) was led by Natalie Chou’s 15 points. Sunday’s game for the Bruins marked their first since Dec.11.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs facing semi-familiar foes v. Washington (3:00 p.m., MT, ESPN2)
… Related … “CU Buffs to face familiar players in unfamiliar jerseys with visit from UW Huskies” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado is 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-12 Conference after defeating Washington State, 83-78 on Jan. 6. The outcome gave the Buffaloes their 100th Pac-12 regular season win since joining the conference in 2011-12 (100-85, .541).
Colorado’s layoff was its longest without a game in the middle of a season since 2006-07, when a pair of late December home games were canceled due to weather, resulting in a 24-day layoff.
Colorado has won 33 of its last 45 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons, and now have won their last four and seven of nine overall.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Nine of Colorado’s 13 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 8-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 71.0 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. Colorado shot 51.8 percent against a Washington State defense that entered the game allowing just 38.1 percent. The percentage was Colorado’s best in a Pac-12 game since the Buffs shot 55.8 percent against Oregon State on Feb. 20, 2021.
Colorado scored 83 points against Washington State after not having reached 70 in its previous five outings. The Buffaloes won their 28th straight game when scoring 83-plus points (last loss was at WSU in overtime on Jan. 21, 2017 in Pullman). CU’s 46 second half points were its most in any half this season.
The Buffaloes had a season-best 17 assists against Washington State, topping their previous best of 16 which came in their last game, against CSU Bakersfield – nearly three weeks ago. In that CSU Bakersfield game, Colorado’s 16 assists came on just 19 made baskets. The 84.2 percentage of assists to made field goals is the best in the Boyle era, besting the 82.1 percent against Jackson State on Nov. 16, 2013 when the Buffaloes had 23 assists on 28 buckets.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 66.2 points per game while opponents have shot 41 percent. Colorado allowed 78 to Washington State – its second most this season. Prior to the layoff, the Buffaloes defense had allowed just 52.3 points over the previous three games.
ABOUT THE HUSKIES: Washington is 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12. The Huskies are coming off a 74-68 win at Utah on Jan. 6th. Washington averages 70.8 points while shooting 39.7 percent from the floor. Defensively, Washington is giving up a Pac-12-worst 72.9 points while teams are shooting 44 percent. The Huskies are one of the best turnover teams in the nation. Washington leads the Pac-12 and ranks seventh in NCAA Division I in turnover margin at plus-6.5 per game. The Huskies force 18.3 turnovers per game, ranking 14th in the nation.
Terrell Brown, Jr., leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth in the nation in scoring at 21.4 points per game. On the defensive end, Brown tops the conference and ranks 11th nationally in steals at 2.4 per game. Forward Emmitt Matthews, Jr., is second on the team in scoring at 11.1 per game and tops the Huskies in 3-pointers made with 16. Daejon Davis averages 8.7 points and is second on the team in both steals (26) and assists (28). Nate Roberts leads Washington in rebounding at 6.2 per game while averaging 3.4 points per contest.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 32nd meeting between Colorado and Washington with the Huskies holding an 18-13 advantage. Colorado has won the last two of the last three. The teams did not meet in Boulder in 2020-21. The Buffaloes won a 92-69 neutral site game in Las Vegas on Dec. 20, 2020, that didn’t count in the league standings. Washington won the only official Pac-12 contest between the schools, an 84-80 decision in Seattle on Jan. 20, 2021. Colorado is 9-4 all-time vs. Washington in Boulder.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 7th
… CU in the Arena …
CU women one of two undefeated teams after 71-58 win over USC
… The only other undefeated Division 1 team in women’s basketball is No. 4 Arizona. CU was ranked 26th in the most recent women’s poll …
From CUBuffs.com … The Colorado women’s basketball team took care of business after an 18-day break, opening Pac-12 Conference play with a 71-58 win over Southern California. The Buffaloes shook off the rust and improved to 12-0 on the season with only nine available players.
The Buffs used an eight-player rotation in their first game since Dec. 20, getting double-digit contributions from four different scorers. Fifth-year senior Mya Hollingshed led all scorers with 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior Quay Miller recorded her first double-double as a Buffs, totaling 13 points and tying her career-high with 10 rebounds. Junior Jaylyn Sherrod had eight assists to go with her 15 points. Sophomore Frida Formann finished with 15 points, going 3-for-8 from 3-point distance.
“I wasn’t sure what tonight’s game was going to look like because both teams have not played in a while,” head coach JR Payne commented after the win. “This is the longest break we’ve had in between games since 1979, which is a very long time. I am unbelievably proud of my ballclub. We were tough. We were resilient. We pushed through. I think every team in the country is facing some level of adversity at this point of the year. I knew that our response would be tough and gritty. I’m very excited to start Pac-12 (play) with a win against a good USC team. I’m proud of who we are, not even necessarily what we did. I’m proud of who we are as a ballclub and excited to go 1-0 today.”
The Buffs’ 12-0 start matches its best since the 2019-20 season. CU improved to 3-8 all-time in Pac-12 openers, with two of the three wins coming in the last three seasons. CU also keeps pace with Pac-12 rival Arizona, as the two teams remain the only undefeated squads in the nation.
“It feels awesome [to be 12-0],” Payne added. “We talk a lot about going 1-0 on game day. We just want to continue to do that and play great basketball with great effort. We’re excited to be where we are. It’s just been a long time since we’ve played. As a team, we get into such a rhythm of playing every couple of days. There’s a rhythm to our lives that revolves around basketball. To have that jilted with Christmas break and then some canceled games — it has kind of thrown us all a little. I think we feel pretty good now.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 6th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs run all-time home record v. Washington State to 11-0 with 83-78 win
… Related … “Big second half run pushes CU Buffs men’s basketball past Washington State” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado broke open a close game in the second half Thursday with a 13-2 run and the Buffaloes had four players in double figures as CU collected an 83-78 Pac-12 win over Washington State at the CU Events Center.
The Buffs, who were playing their first game in 19 days, improved to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in Pac-12 play to help coach Tad Boyle celebrate his 59th birthday.
Washington State fell to 8-6, 1-2.
Big man Evan Battey led CU with 20 points. Jabari Walker had 16 points — all in the second half — and eight rebounds; Keeshawn Barthelemy also had 16 points; and Tristan da Silva chipped in 10.
Tyrell Roberts led the Cougars with 25 points. CU defensive specialist Elijah Parquet held WSU leading scorer to seven points on 2-for-10 shooting — half his season average.
Colorado trailed by one at intermission, 38-37, but the Buffs used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to turn a 58-55 deficit into a 68-60 lead and they never trailed again.
While WSU shot 46 percent (28-for-61) from the floor, Colorado was even better, shooting 52 percent (29-for-56), including a blistering 18-for-28 in the second half.
“I was really proud of our guys,” Boyle said. “They just find a way. We played poorly in the first half but we were still only down by one. Washington State is a good defensive team and we figured out a way. A good win for the Buffaloes.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
CU v. Washington State (7:00 p.m., MT, ESPN2)
… Related … “Long layoff finally (hopefully) at an end as CU Buffs set to host Washington State” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes are back in action for the first time in 19 days and will play just their second game in the last 26 days.
Colorado hasn’t played since a 60-46 win over CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 18 at the CU Events Center. The Buffaloes saw their nonconference finale against No. 7 Kansas on Dec. 21 canceled and their scheduled Pac-12 games at Oregon (Dec. 30) and Oregon State (Jan. 1) postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Colorado program.
The Buffaloes were able to reschedule their game at Oregon for Jan. 3 but then that game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Ducks’ program. Colorado will continue to work with both Oregon and Oregon State on possible make up dates.
Colorado’s layoff is its longest without a game in the middle of a season since 2006-07, when a pair of late December home games were canceled due to weather, causing a 24-day layoff.
Colorado has won 32 of its last 44 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons, and now have won their last three and six of eight overall.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Eight of Colorado’s 12 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 7-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 71.0 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. Against CSU Bakersfield, Colorado had a season-high 16 assists and on just 19 made baskets. The 84.2 percentage of assists to made field goals is the best in the Boyle era, besting the 82.1 percent against Jackson State on Nov. 16, 2013 when the Buffaloes had 23 assists on 28 buckets.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 65.2 points per game while opponents have shot 41 percent. Colorado’s defense has tightened the last three games, allowing just 52.3 points an outing.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Washington State is 8-5 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12. Like Colorado, the Cougars will be looking to end an extended layoff. WSU hasn’t played since Dec. 22; a 58-52 setback to Boise State in Spokane, Wash. The Cougars had their rivalry game against Washington on Dec. 29 postponed due to COVID-19
issues in their program.
Washington State averages 75.7 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. The Cougars lead the Pac-12 in 3-pointers with 8.9 made per game. WSU is second in the Pac-12, and 28th in the nation, in offensive rebounds at 13.1 per game. Defensively, Washington State allows 63.3 points per game while opponents are shooting 38.9 percent overall.
Michael Flowers leads Washington State at 13.8 points and 2.8 assists per game. He has a team-best 36 3-point field goals and shoots 40 percent from long range. Noah Williams is second on the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game. Mouhamed Gueye tops the Cougars in rebounding at 5.3 per game while pitching in 6.3 points a contest. Efe Abogidi averages 7.1 points while leading Washington State in field goal shooting (.607) and blocked shots (23).
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 23rd meeting between Colorado and Washington State with the Buffaloes holding a 16-6 series edge and have won seven of the last 10, including a season-sweep in 2020-21. Colorado is 10-0 all-time against the Cougars in Boulder.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 5th
… CU in the Arena …
Men’s and women’s teams looking for gift card donations at home games this weekend
From CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado Athletic Department will be collecting gift cards to be distributed to victims of the Marshall Fire at the four basketball games this week at the CU Events Center.
Gift cards will be accepted at all entrances at the games, and fans are asked to bring cards with the denomination visible on the card. The Boulder Office of Emergency Management has asked for gift cards to Front Range grocery stores, department stores, and local restaurants. They will be given to distribution centers that are identified by the Boulder Office of Emergency Management.
Beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 5, $5 of every ticket sold to men’s and women’s basketball games the rest of the season will be donated to emergency relief efforts.
Fans wishing to make monetary donations may donate online to the Buffs Together Emergency Fund or Buffs4Life.
The games this week where CU will be accepting gift card donations are:
Thursday, January 6
Men’s Basketball vs. Washington State – 7 p.m.
Friday, January 7
Women’s Basketball vs. USC – 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 9
Women’s Basketball vs. UCLA – 11 a.m.
Men’s Basketball vs. Washington – 3 p.m.
–
—–
January 4th
… CU in the Arena …
Video: Mark Johnson interviews senior Evan Battey
From BuffsTV …
–
—–
January 3rd
… CU in the Arena …
CU at Oregon off again (this time due to issues in Oregon program)
From CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado’s men’s basketball game at Oregon on Monday, Jan. 3, has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Ducks’ program.
Colorado and Oregon will work together to reschedule the game for a later date. The game had originally been slated for Thursday, Dec. 30, but was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffaloes’ program.
Colorado is still working with Oregon State to reschedule the game in Corvallis, originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 1, that was affected by the Buffaloes’ COVID-19 issues. The Buffaloes, 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12, are next scheduled to host Washington State on Thursday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. at the CU Events Center.
–
—
Buffs try to shake off rust with first game in 16 days
From the Daily Camera … Often when the fall semester ends, a new round of lessons begins for the Colorado men’s basketball team.
During those few weeks when the Buffaloes usually don’t have to worry about anything beyond basketball, head coach Tad Boyle typically takes advantage of the time to add a few wrinkles to his team’s arsenal. Tweaks like maybe a new inbounds play, or an adjustment to one of the Buffs’ defensive sets.
Given the resumption of Pac-12 Conference play finally, and maybe hopefully, is at hand, those midseason adjustments certainly are in the works for CU. However, any upcoming tweaks will take a back seat to simply finding a collective rhythm once again.
Barring any late setbacks, the Buffs’ COVID-sparked competitive pause will come to an end Monday night with a makeup date at Oregon. Assuming tipoff occurs as planned at Knight Arena, it will be CU’s first game in 16 days and just the second game in 23 days dating back to a Dec. 10 win against Milwaukee.
… Oregon put together some very un-Ducks-like performances in November and December, scoring just 49 points in a Nov. 16 home loss against Brigham Young and dropping their Pac-12 opener at home against an Arizona State squad that scored all of 29 points in its previous game just four days earlier.
However, Oregon more recently has shown signs of possibly turning a corner. The Ducks held a halftime lead against top-ranked Baylor on Dec. 18 before the Bears pulled away in the second half, and in their first game since Dec. 21 the Ducks topped Utah at home on Saturday night.
“I expect to see a much-improved team,” Boyle said. “They’re going to have a game under their belt (against Utah). They’re a team that plays extremely hard. They’re very athletic. They’re aggressive offensively, they’re aggressive defensively. You have to make some plays against Oregon. They press, they run a matchup zone, they change defenses — they really try to keep you off balance.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
January 2nd
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs begin three conference games in a week at Oregon (Mon., 8:00 pm., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes are back in action for the first time in 16 days and will play just their second game in the last 23 days.
Colorado hasn’t played since a 60-46 win over CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 18 at the CU Events Center. The Buffaloes saw their nonconference finale against No. 7 Kansas on Dec. 21 canceled and their scheduled Pac-12 games at Oregon (Dec. 30) and Oregon State (Jan. 1) postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Colorado program.
The Buffaloes were able to reschedule their game at Oregon for Jan. 3 and will continue to work with Oregon State on finding a makeup date for the game in Corvallis.
Colorado’s layoff is its longest without a game in the middle of a season since 2006-07, when a pair of late December home games were canceled due to weather, causing a 24-day layoff.
Colorado has won 32 of its last 44 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons, and now have won their last three and six of eight overall.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Eight of Colorado’s 12 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 7-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 71.0 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. Against CSU Bakersfield, Colorado had a season-high 16 assists and on just 19 made baskets. The 84.2 percentage of assists to made field goals is the best in the Boyle era, besting the 82.1 percent against Jackson State on Nov. 16, 2013 when the Buffaloes had 23 assists on 28 buckets.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 65.2 points per game while opponents have shot 41 percent. Colorado’s defense has tightened the last three games, allowing just 52.3 points an outing.
ABOUT THE DUCKS: Oregon is 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-12 after claiming a 79-66 win over Utah on Jan. 1. The Ducks have won three of their last four, with the lone loss coming to No. 1 ranked Baylor. Oregon averages 71.2 points on 46.6 percent from the field. The Ducks rank third in the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting at 34.9 percent. Defensively, Oregon allows 66.1 points while opponents shoot 43.7 percent from the floor.
Senior guard Will Richardson leads Oregon at 13.6 points and 3.6 assists per game. Richardson has a team-best 29 3-point field goals and shoots 45 percent from beyond the arc. Guard De’Vion Harmon is second on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game and second in steals (16). Jacob Young ranks third on the team in scoring (10.1 ppg) and ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in steals (19). N’Faly Dante averages 8.0 points and 5.1 rebounds while leading the Pac-12 in shooting at 67.8 percent.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 24th meeting between Colorado and Oregon with the Buffaloes holding an 13-10 series lead. The teams split their season series in 2020-21, each holding serve at home. Colorado claimed the home win with a 79-72 decision on Jan. 7 in Boulder while the Ducks countered with a 60-56 win in Eugene on Feb. 18. That is the trend in this series as the home team has won the last 13 regular season games. The last road win was a 48-47 Colorado triumph in Eugene on Feb. 7, 2013. Oregon holds an 9-2 lead in Eugene.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 30th
… CU in the Arena …
CU women’s weekend in Oregon postponed due to CU COVID issues
From the Daily Camera … The Colorado women’s basketball team won’t be going to Oregon this weekend.
On Wednesday, CU announced that COVID-19 issues within the program have caused the Buffaloes to postpone games at Oregon State on Friday and at Oregon on Sunday. CU’s conference travel partner, Utah, will also postpone its two games this weekend in Oregon.
The Buffs (11-0) have not played since Dec. 20 and were set to open Pac-12 play Friday in Corvallis, Ore.
Instead, the women will remain sidelined along with the CU men’s team, which is dealing with COVID-19 issues of its own. The men were forced to cancel a Dec. 21 home date with Kansas and then postponed their own trip to Oregon this week. The CU men have rescheduled their game at Oregon, however, for Monday night.
Following a Christmas break, the CU women returned to practice on Sunday. The Buffs were off Monday and practiced Tuesday.
… As of Wednesday evening, 10 of the 12 originally scheduled games for the opening weekend of Pac-12 play in women’s basketball have been postponed. The only games still scheduled are in Pullman, Wash., as Washington State is set to host California on Friday and Stanford on Sunday.
For now, CU’s next scheduled game is Jan. 7 against Southern California at CU Events Center.
–
—–
December 28th
… CU in the Arena …
CU at Oregon re-scheduled for Monday, January 3rd (8:00 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …
The University of Colorado’s men’s basketball game at Oregon has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 3, in Eugene, Ore. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. MT and air on the Pac-12 Network and KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
The game had originally been slated for Thursday, Dec. 30, but was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffaloes’ program.
Colorado is still working with Oregon State to reschedule the game in Corvallis, originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 1, that was affected by the Buffaloes’ COVID-19 issues. Following the Oregon game, the Buffaloes, 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12, are next scheduled to host Washington State on Thursday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. at the CU Events Center.
–
—–
December 27th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs may be able to get in one of the Oregon games before the next home game (WSU, Jan. 6th)
From the Daily Camera … The holiday joy has been absent for Colorado men’s basketball fans, first with the cancellation of the Dec. 21 showdown at home against Kansas, then with Sunday’s announcement that the first two-game road trip in Pac-12 play this week in Oregon has been postponed.
If there is a glimmer of hope, it’s that the Buffaloes are hoping they aren’t sidelined quite as long as initially expected.
In an interview with BuffZone following another personnel-challenged practice on Monday, head coach Tad Boyle said his program already is in discussions with Oregon and Oregon State about setting makeup dates. Certainly nothing is set in stone, but Boyle said if his club can get enough players cleared of COVID quarantine protocols in time, the Buffs might hit the road shortly after New Year’s to face one of those Oregon schools ahead of the Jan. 6 home date against Washington State, which currently is the next scheduled game for CU.
The Buffs’ two one-game weeks against Utah — the week of Feb. 7 and the week of Feb. 28, the final week of the regular season — also remain options, though both Oregon teams have regular two-game schedules on the docket for those weeks. Boyle also said making an extended trip to the Pacific Northwest in late January might be an option if the Buffs can reschedule one of the Oregon games ahead of their trip to Washington, which begins Jan. 27 at UW.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
CU road trip to play Oregon schools postponed
Press release from CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado’s men’s basketball games at Oregon on Thursday, Dec. 30, and Oregon State on Saturday, Jan. 1, have been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffaloes’ program.
Colorado will work with both schools and the Pac-12 Conference to reschedule the games for later dates. The postponements mark three-straight games for the Buffaloes affected by COVID-19 protocols. Colorado’s nonconference finale against Kansas on Dec. 21 at the CU Events Center was canceled.
Colorado will continue to coordinate with team medical staff and campus health officials in monitoring the program’s status on a daily basis. The Buffaloes, 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12, are next scheduled to host Washington State on Thursday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. at the CU Events Center.
–
—–
December 26th
… CU in the Arena …
Tournament projections: CU on the outside looking in as Pac-12 play resumes
From The San Jose Mercury News …Arizona’s narrow loss at Tennessee on Wednesday evening was the last high-profile, non-conference matchup for the Pac-12 before round-robin league play ramps up next week.
The numbers, for your consumption:
— Against AP top-25 opponents, the Pac-12 is 2-11.
— Against Power Six opponents, it’s 7-15.
— Against the West Coast Conference, it’s 6-6.
By any measure, the past six weeks have been underwhelming for all but three teams.
As the data below suggests, Arizona, USC and UCLA are locks for the NCAA Tournament.
Everyone else is either on the outskirts of the bubble or nowhere near the bubble.
For those unfamiliar with the NET rankings cited below (or in need of a reminder):
The result of each game played falls within one of four quadrants, based on the NET ranking of the opponent and location of the game. The categorization changes over time as teams move up and down the NET.
Quadrant 1: Home vs. Nos. 1-30, Neutral vs. Nos. 1-50, Away vs. Nos. 1-75
Quadrant 2: Home 31-75, Neutral 51-100, Away 76-135
Quadrant 3: Home 76-160, Neutral 101-200, Away 135-240
Quadrant 4: Home 161-353, Neutral 201-353, Away 241-353
For example: UCLA’s victory at home over No. 12 Villanova counts as a Quadrant I win for the Bruins.
Essentially, teams want to load up on Quad I and II wins and avoid Quad III and IV losses.
Listed in order of NET ranking …
Arizona
NET Ranking: No. 2
Record vs. Quad I and II: 4-1
Record vs. Quad III and IV: 7-0
NCAA projection: No. 2 seed
Comment: The loss at No. 8 (NET) Tennessee will have no material impact on the Wildcats’ trajectory. If anything, it removes the pressure of being undefeated entering conference play.
USC
NET Ranking: No.13
Record vs. Quad I and II: 2-0
Record vs. Quad III and IV: 10-0
NCAA projection: No. 5 seed
Comment: The Trojans are one of five undefeated teams left, along with Baylor, LSU, Iowa State and Colorado State. But their non-conference strength of schedule (No. 247 in the Pomeroy efficiency ratings) leaves much to be desired.
UCLA
NET Ranking: No. 21
Record vs. Quad I and II: 2-1
Record vs. Quad III and IV: 6-0
NCAA projection: No. 3 seed
Comment: The Bruins have played one game since Dec. 1, so expect significant rust once they return to competition. It might take weeks to regain top form.
…
Colorado (No. 7 in the Pac-12)
NET Ranking: No. 107
Record vs. Quad I and II: 0-2
Record vs. Quad III and IV: 9-1
NCAA projection: no bid
Comment: Eliminate the big three, and the rest of the conference has a 2-18 record in Quad I games. Granted, a few of those are intra-league results. But still.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 23rd
… CU in the Arena …
Pac-12 announces updated COVID policies: No forfeitures
From the San Jose Mercury News … With COVID threatening to derail college basketball, the Pac-12 announced Wednesday a series of policies for the remainder of the 2021-22 season that are based on the procedures used last year.
As always, local public health requirements have priority.
Key tenants, which apply to the men and women for round-robin league play, include:
— Player and coach thresholds.
Teams must be available to compete if they have at least seven available scholarship players and one available coach. If there are fewer than seven scholarship players, teams have the option to play. If they decide not to compete, the participants and conference office will work to reschedule.
— No contests/forfeitures.
Games that cannot be played will either be rescheduled — “while being mindful of student-athlete health and safety considerations,” according to the conference — or declared no contests.
There will be no forfeitures, except for one situation:
“The Conference office shall have the option to levy a forfeit in the event the Conference standards of sportsmanship are not met in the process of attempting to reschedule a contest.”
The UCLA-Washington game earlier this month was declared a forfeiture at the time because the Huskies were unable to play. The result of that game will be changed to a no contest if it cannot be rescheduled.
— Return to play.
Once a team has enough healthy players, it will have at least two days of full practice before competing.
Of note: “The impacted institution may elect to play the game earlier than the two-day minimum buffer if the quarantined individuals (who are not infected) engage in conditioning during the quarantine period.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 21st – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
***CU/Kansas game canceled***
Press Release from CUBuffs.com … The University of Colorado men’s basketball game against the University of Kansas scheduled for tonight at the CU Events Center has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Buffs’ program.
“Our top priority since the start of the pandemic has been the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and the community,” CU Athletic Director Rick George said. “While we’re disappointed for our student-athletes and fans to have to cancel the game, both schools agreed this is the best decision.”
Fans with season tickets or single game tickets who made their original purchase from the CU Athletics Ticket Office have the following options:
- Donate the value of the tickets to the Buff Club for end of year tax purposes and double priority points.
- Request a credit on your account to be used this season.
- Request a refund to their original form of payment.
Those who bought their tickets through the CU Athletic Ticket Office will be contacted via email this evening with an outline of the process, and prompted to respond with their preference by 5 p.m. Jan. 7.
The CU men’s basketball program will coordinate with team medical staff and campus health officials on next steps regarding team activities. The Buffs’ next game is not until Dec. 30 at Oregon.
–
—
Buffs set to host Jayhawks: “It’s a hell of an opportunity”
From CUBuffs.com … As Colorado coach Tad Boyle is fond of saying, the price of poker goes up considerably for his Buffaloes beginning this week.
The Buffs (9-3 overall, 1-1 Pac-12) wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule Tuesday with a 7 p.m. game against seventh-ranked Kansas, then take a holiday break before hitting the road for the first two of 18 straight conference games.
Colorado plays at Oregon on Dec. 30 (9 p.m. MT, Pac-12 Networks), then at Oregon State on New Year’s Day (6:30 p.m., Pac-12).
The matchup with the 9-1 Jayhawks will be Colorado’s third against a ranked team this season, following a game at UCLA (No. 5) and at home against Tennessee (No. 13). CU lost both of those encounters.
Tuesday’s game is expected to be sold out.
“I’m looking forward to having the CU Events Center full of Buff fans,” Boyle said Saturday after Colorado defeated CSU Bakersfield at home. “More importantly than that, it’s having our team ready to play and having them ready to defend a very efficient offensive team that has really good players … We’re going to have to make shots. We’ll have to execute. We’ll have to be strong with the ball. It’s a hell of an opportunity. That’s all you can ask for in life.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
Game Notes …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes brushed off the rust from an eight day finals break with a 60-46 win over CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 18.
Colorado wraps up a season-long five-game homestand against Kansas on Tuesday as well as wrapping up the nonconference regular season schedule. The Buffaloes will have a nine-day layoff for the Holidays before resuming Pac-12 Conference play on Dec. 30th at Oregon. Colorado opened the Pac-12 schedule with an 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 – the earliest conference game in the nation this season.
Colorado has won 32 of its last 44 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons, and now has won their last three and six of eight overall.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Eight of Colorado’s 12 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 7-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 71.0 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Buffaloes lead the Pac-12 Conference, and rank in the Top 10 nationally, in free throws made and attempted.
Colorado’s 194 free throws made rank 9th in NCAA Division I while its 247 attempts are 10th. Against CSU Bakersfield, Colorado had a season-high 16 assists and on just 19 made baskets. The 84.2 percentage of assists to made field goals is the best in the Boyle era, besting the 82.1 percent against Jackson State on Nov. 16, 2013 when the Buffaloes had 23 assists on 28 buckets.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 65.2 points per game while opponents have shot 41 percent. Colorado’s defense has tightened the last three games, allowing just 52.3 points an outing.
ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS: No. 7 ranked Kansas is 9-1 overall and winners of its last five. The Jayhawks lone loss was a 74-73 setback to Dayton on Nov. 26. Kansas boasts the third-best shooting team in the nation at 51.9 percent. The Jayhawks average 85.8 points per game, ranking eighth nationally. Defensively, Kansas allows 67.5 points while opponents shoot 43.8 percent. The Jayhawks average 7.7 steals and 4.5 blocked shots per game.
Ochai Agbaji is the nation’s fifth leading scorer at 22.0 points per game. The senior guard is shooting 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3-point range. Christian Braun is averaging 16.8 points while leading Kansas at 6.7 rebounds per game and hitting 62.6 from the field, a percentage that ranks 15th in the nation. Remy Martin, who starred for four years at Arizona State, is averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 assists for the Jayhawks as a “super senior.” David McCormack averages 8.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while leading Kansas with 15 blocked shots.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 165th meeting between the long-time rivals that were conference foes in the Big 7/8/12 from 1947-2011. It will be the fourth meeting since the Buffaloes left for the Pac-12 in 2011 (KU has the edge in two of those three). Tuesday’s game was originally scheduled to be played in December 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic altered everyone’s schedules last winter.
Kansas holds a 124-40 all-time lead in the series that dates back to 1931. The Jayhawks own a 40-27 edge in Boulder, although the Buffaloes won the last meeting in the CU Events Center, a 75-72 thriller on Dec. 7, 2013 where Askia Booker hit a 30-foot runner at the buzzer to upset the No. 6 ranked Jayhawks.
… Continue reading Game Notes here …
–
—–
December 20th
… CU in the Arena …
Former ASU guard Remy Martin returns to the CEC – with No. 7 Kansas (Tues., 7:00 p.m., MT, ESPN2)
… Jabari Walker cleared to play … A sell out is expected (hopefully with not too many Kansas fans) …
From the Daily Camera … Colorado has made life in Boulder difficult for Remy Martin before. But this time, Martin is bringing a much more intimidating group of friends to the CU Events Center.
A potential season-altering opportunity awaits the Buffaloes on Tuesday night, as Martin and his new mates with the Kansas Jayhawks visit Boulder for CU’s final nonconference game of the season.
Martin, the former star guard at Arizona State, joined Kansas following his fourth season with ASU last year. He and the seventh-ranked Jayhawks will face a Buffs squad expected to be at full strength, as on Monday head coach Tad Boyle said sophomore forward Jabari Walker, CU’s leading scorer and rebounder, is expected to be in the lineup for the renewal of a former Big 12 Conference rivalry.
Walker played less than five minutes during Saturday’s win against Cal State Bakersfield before getting inadvertently clubbed on the head by a Roadrunners player.
“I just remember getting hit, and I was dizzy for a minute,” Walker said. “The first five minutes was the worst of it, but after that it was (good) from there. The biggest thing is I had a stiff neck the next day. Once I got treatment on that, I’m just happy and blessed it wasn’t anything more serious.
“We’re excited. We didn’t get this opportunity last year with COVID. We know it’s something that you don’t get an opportunity to do every year. This is the sophomores’ first year of doing it, and we understand how big this is for the program. We just want to get this win and bring that energy to the city. I know it will be crazy all around in Boulder if we get this win.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Boyle concerned as Pac-12 COVID cancellations add up: “We still have to be diligent”
From the Daily Camera … Fans still are in the stands. But the return to normalcy promised by the 2021-22 college basketball season quickly is spiraling off the rails.
The surge of COVID-19 issues wreaking havoc on schedules in the NBA, NHL and NFL isn’t leaving college basketball unscathed.
Prior to his team’s 60-46 win against Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Colorado head coach Tad Boyle reiterated the plan remains for the Buffaloes to be released for a four-day holiday break at their respective homes following Tuesday’s showdown at the CU Events Center against No. 7 Kansas (7 p.m., ESPN2).
The Buffs are sticking to that plan despite watching Pac-12 rivals Washington and UCLA suffer recent virus-related setbacks. On Friday after practice, Boyle vented some frustration regarding the lack of transparency within the Pac-12’s forfeiture and information-sharing policies. For instance, on Friday morning Boyle lamented not knowing exactly what transpired at UCLA and UW. Not because he expected either school to name those with positive tests, but because he believes knowing what exactly went awry with both teams might prevent it from occurring elsewhere.
Boyle told BuffZone he did have conversations with the league office later on Friday, saying discussions are ongoing at the administrative level reviewing COVID policies amid a sudden and dramatic wave of canceled games and programs on pause.
“We still have to be diligent. We’ve still got to be responsible. We’ve got to be smart,” Boyle said. “The good thing is, these guys have been grinding in finals, and I think the biggest risk is when these guys go home. Most of the students now are gone, so the social life on campus has really diminished significantly. Which is a good thing for our guys. Now it’s just a matter of being responsible. But when they do go home, wear your masks, social distance, and know who you’re around.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 18th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs use defense to take out CSU-Bakersfield, 60-48
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado built a 17-point second-half lead Saturday, then withstood a late CSU Bakersfield run to collect a 60-46 win at the CU Events Center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffaloes improved to 9-3 with their third straight win while CSUB dropped to 4-4.
The Buffs led by nine at the half and extended their cushion to 17 midway through the second half. A mini-rally from the Roadrunners cut the margin to eight with five minutes to play, but the Buffs rebuilt the lead to double digits and maintained control down the stretch.
Keeshawn Barthelemy led CU with 12 points and added six rebounds. Dominque Clifford had 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Elijah Parquet added 10 points, and Lawson Lovering had six points and four rebounds. CU’s leading scorer, Jabari Walker, did not play in the second half because of an injury and did not score.
Kaleb Higgins led the Roadrunners with nine points. The Buffs held the Roadrunners to 15-for-55 shooting (27.3 percent) while CU shot 19-for-45.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Buffs led by nine at the half, 24-15, and slowly pushed the margin to 17 midway through the period. A Barthelemy 3-pointer gave Colorado a 42-26 edge before a Lovering offensive rebound and bucket and two free throws from Simpson helped CU to a 48-31 edge with 10:24 remaining.
But the Roadrunners didn’t go away quietly. Thanks to some second-chance buckets and a couple of Colorado turnovers, CSUB cut the deficit to eight, 52-44, on a Justin McCall bucket with 5:13 to play.
Colorado, though, regained control and built the cushion back to double digits on buckets from Tristan da Silva and Evan Battey and CU held the Roadrunners at bay over the final minutes.
Colorado used an 8-0 run early to jump out to a 14-4 lead less than seven minutes in. Barthelemy started the surge with a drive to the hoop, Tristan da Silva added a three-point play and Elijah Parquet drained a 3-pointer to put CU in control.
But the Buffs went stale after that, scoring just 10 more points the remainder of the half. After hitting three of their first five shots, the Buffs shot just 5-for-18, including an 0-for-8 stretch.
Colorado’s defense, though, kept the Buffs comfortably in the lead, as they limited the Roadrunners to 5-for-27 shooting in the half and CU held a 24-15 edge at intermission.
NEXT UP: Colorado wraps up its non-conference schedule Tuesday when the Buffs play host to Kansas in a 7 p.m. game at the CU Events Center (ESPN2).
–
—
Buffs’ final tuneup before Kansas comes to town – CU v. CSU-Bakersfield
… Related … “Stopping offensive rebounds a key for CU Buffs against CSU Bakersfield” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … CU is a 14.0-point favorite over the Roadrunners …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 8-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference, returning to the hardwood after an eight-day break for finals. The Buffaloes were last in action on Dec. 10, claiming a 65-54 decision over Milwaukee at the CU Events Center.
Colorado is set to play its fourth of five-straight home games to end the nonconference schedule. The Buffaloes opened the Pac-12 schedule with an 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 – the earliest conference game in the nation this season. Colorado resumes Pac-12 play at the end of the month.
Colorado has won 31 of its last 43 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons, and now has won their last two and five of seven overall.
The Buffaloes have fared well in tight contests. Eight of Colorado’s 11 games have been within six points – or two possessions – with four minutes or less remaining in the game. The Buffaloes are 7-1 in those contests.
Colorado is averaging 72.0 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Buffaloes lead the Pac-12 Conference, and rank in the Top 20 nationally, in free throws made and attempted. Colorado’s 179 free throws made rank 13th in NCAA Division I while its 247 attempts are 16th.
While the Buffaloes are among the top teams in the nation at getting to the line, they also have a recent trend of keeping their opponents off it. Milwaukee shot just 11 free throws on Dec. 10, making seven. Two days earlier, Eastern Washington attempted only seven free throws. CU’s opponents are just 18 of 27 from the line the last three games.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 66.9 points per game while opponents have shot 42 percent. Colorado’s defense has tightened the last two games, allowing just 55.5 points. In both those games, the Buffaloes reached one of their Boyle era Ògold standardsÓ of holding opponents to 40 percent of less from the field and least a plus-8 rebound advantage. Colorado improved to 76-5 in those games after holding Milwaukee to 36.4 percent and winning the rebounding battle by nine (39-30).
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS: CSU Bakersfield is 4-3 overall, coming off a 69-59 setback at Abilene Christian on Dec. 15, snapping a three-game winning streak. The Roadrunners average 67.1 points per game, however that number drops by nearly 10 points against NCAA Division I competition (57.2 ppg). Defensively, Bakersfield is holding opponents to 64.1 points while allowing just 39.9 percent shooting. The Roadrunners lead the Big West Conference in offensive rebounds (12.4 orpg), turnover margin (+2.7) and turnovers forced (16.9 topg).
Bakersfield’s balanced attack features four players averaging between nine and 10 points per game. Sophomore guard Kaleb Higgins has a team-best 69 points (9.9 ppg), one point ahead of senior guards Justin McCall and Justin Edler-Davis, each with 68 (9.7 ppg). The senior duo are not only tied in points, they share the team lead in rebounding at 4.7 per game. Sophomore guard Shaun Williams, who missed the game against Abilene Christian, averages 9.2 points with a team-best 15 assists.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be third meeting between Colorado and CSU Bakersfield with the programs hooking up for the first time in 10 years almost to the date. Colorado swept a home-and-home series in 2011. The Buffaloes took an 85-73 decision in Bakersfield on Jan. 2, 2011 and followed up the next season with a 70-64 win in Boulder on Dec. 19, 2011.
–
—–
December 10th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs overcome late deficit, pull away for a 64-53 win over Milwaukee
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado once again allowed a healthy lead to slip away in the second half Friday, but the Buffaloes again had an answer down the stretch, rallying to take a 65-54 win over Milwaukee at the CU Events Center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs improved to 8-3 while the Panthers fell to 2-7.
Colorado led by four at the half and built its lead to nine, 39-30, early in the second half. But the Panthers rallied with an 18-7 run to take the lead before the Buffs regrouped to put together a 12-0 surge in the final minutes for the win.
Evan Battey led CU with 15 points, Jabari Walker added 14 — all in the second half, with eight in the decisive run — and Elijah Parquet scored 11.
Jordan Lathon led Milwaukee with 14 points while CU held Panthers leading scorer Patrick Baldwin Jr. to just 12 points on 3-for-13 shooting, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range.
The game was a near mirror image of Wednesday’s 60-57 win over Eastern Washington, when CU let a 15-point lead turn into a deficit late before clawing back for the win.
“It’s the old Forrest Gump line,” Boyle said. “We’re like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get. That doesn’t mean night to night. It means timeout to timeout, first half to second half … But our guys did a good job down the stretch making plays and we got the win.”
CU’s offense struggled again for much of the game, but the Buffs’ defense held Milwaukee to 36 percent shooting (20-for-55) and Colorado held a 39-30 rebound edge.
“We’re 76-5 when we hold an opponent under 40 percent and outrebound them by more than eight,” Boyle said. “Seventy-six and five over the last 11 and a half years. That’s a pretty good record. It doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to win the game, but you put yourself in a position to win. We did that against Eastern Washington and we did it tonight.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs must stop Patrick Baldwin, Jr. in order to keep Milwaukee from pulling off an upset
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference, coming off a 60-57 squeaker against Eastern Washington on Dec. 8th. The Buffaloes are 4-1 in games decided by five points or less (4-5 in 2020-21 in those instances). The Buffaloes snapped a two-game skid and get set to play their third of five-straight home games to end the nonconference schedule.
The Buffaloes opened the Pac-12 schedule with an 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 – the earliest conference game in the nation this season. Colorado resumes Pac-12 play at the end of the month.
Colorado will play its second game in three days, and have done well this season in that scenario. The Buffaloes are 3-0 this season on a quick turn-around; in games one or two days following the previous contest.
Colorado has won 30 of its last 42 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the win over Eastern Washington, the Buffaloes bounced back from just their second two-game losing streak in the last two seasons.
Colorado is averaging 72.7 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Buffaloes lead the Pac-12 Conference, and rank in the Top 10 nationally, in free throws made and attempted. Colorado’s 165 free throws made rank eighth in NCAA Division I while its 231 attempts are seventh.
The Buffaloes were 8 of 12 from the free throw line against EWU, both season lows, but the opponent hasn’t been getting to the line either. Eastern Washington attempted only seven free throws and combined with Tennessee, CU’s opponents are just 11 of 16 from the line the last two games.
Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 68.2 points per game while opponents have shot 43 percent. Colorado held Eastern Washington to 57 points. The Eagles had averaged 81.0 points in their previous eight games. Colorado held Eastern Washington to 40 percent shooting (22-55) and had a plus-12 advantage on the boards (40-28). Colorado is 75-5 in the Tad Boyle era when holding teams to 40 percent or less from the field and at least a plus-8 rebound advantage.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: Milwaukee is 2-6 overall, snapping a six-game skid with a 77-69 win over Robert Morris in its last outing on Dec. 4th. The Panthers are 1-1 in the Horizon League. Milwaukee is averaging 64.6 points while shooting 41 percent from the field. Defensively, the Panthers allow 71.1 points per game and hold the Horizon League’s best field goal defense at 38.7 percent. Milwaukee also leads the Horizon and ranks 30th in the nation in blocked shots at 5.5 per game.
Freshman wing Patrick Baldwin, Jr., regarded as one of the Top 5 players in the Class of 2021, leads Milwaukee at 17.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor. Baldwin went 6 for 6 from 3-point range in the Panthers’ win over Robert Morris en route to a 26-point outing. Junior guard DeAndre Gholston is averaging 16.3 points per game, but missed the Robert Morris contest. Freshman guard Donovan Newby leads the Panthers in assists with 22 while averaging 10.4 points per game.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the fifth meeting between Colorado and Milwaukee with the Buffaloes winning all four previous meetings. It will be the first meeting in 20 years. The last game between the two teams was a 93-87 decision at the CU Events Center on Dec. 30, 2001. Three of the four games have been played at the CU Events Center. The Buffaloes took a 74-71 overtime win in Milwaukee on Dec. 30, 2000.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 8th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs do their best to lose, but find a way to defeat Eastern Washington, 60-57
… Related … “CU Buffs men’s basketball escapes Eastern Washington upset bid” … from the Daily Camera
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado allowed a 15-point first-half lead to become a four-point deficit late in the game Wednesday, but the Buffaloes rallied in the final minutes to take a 60-57 win over Eastern Washington at the CU Events Center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs improved to 7-3 while the Eagles fell to 4-5.
Jabari Walker led CU with 17 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double in the last six games.
Steele Venters led Eastern Washington with 23 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Colorado led by as much as 15 in the first half and still had an eight-point lead at intermission, 39-31.
But after shooting 50 percent from the floor in the first half, the Buffs went cold in the second and also suffered a rash of turnovers.
That combination helped the Eagles slowly chip away at CU’s lead. EWU tied the game at 49-49 with 7:04 to play on a Venters 3-pointer, then finally took a 53-51 lead on a Mason Landeck layup with 5:05 to play. Landeck hit two free throws 30 seconds later after Colorado’s ninth turnover of the half to extend Colorado’s deficit to four, 55-51.
But following a timeout, Evan Battey hit a bucket inside and added a free throw to pull Colorado within one before the Buffs got a defensive stop on the other end. CU then regained the lead, 57-55, on a Walker three-point play with 2:17 to play.
Eastern Washington tired the game again on a Steel Venters bucket, but Colorado regained the lead for good on a Battey jump hook with 1:31 to play. It was Battey’s ninth point of the game, all coming in the second half.
CU got defensive stops on EWU’s next two possessions and although the Buffs missed three of four free throw attempts in the final seconds, the Buffs survived when an Eastern Washington 3-pointer at the buzzer came up just short.
Colorado stumbled at the game’s outset but quickly recovered with a 14-0 run to take a 14-6 lead less than five minutes in. Walker started the run with a three-point play, Barthelemy had seven points in the surge and Elijah Parquet added four.
The Buffs then built their margin to double digits with a 7-0 run midway through the half and built their cushion to as much as 15 when a Walker drive to the basket gave Colorado a 33-18 edge with 6:24 left in the half.
The Eagles, though, slowly chipped away and reduced the deficit to eight, 39-31, with a 3-pointer from Venters just before the half.
CU outrebounded the Eagles, 18-12, in the opening half and also forced eight turnovers, which the Buffs converted into 11 points.
NEXT UP: The Buffs return to the Events Center on Friday when they play host to Milwaukee in a 7:30 p.m. contest (Pac-12 Networks
–
—
CU a 15.0-point favorite over Eastern Washington (6:00 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the ac-12 Conference, coming off a 69-54 nonconference setback to No. 13/15 Tennessee on Dec. 4. The Buffaloes have four nonconference games remaining, beginning Wednesday, before resuming Pac-12 play at the end of the month.
The Buffaloes opened the Pac-12 schedule with an 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 – the earliest conference game in the nation this season.
Colorado has won 29 of its last 41 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. With the loss to Tennessee, the Buffaloes suffered back-to-back losses for just the second time during the current 29-12 run.
Colorado is averaging 74.1 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field. Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 69.4 points per game while opponents have shot 43 percent. The Buffaloes have outrebounded their opponents by an average of 6.4 per game.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Eastern Washington is 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big Sky Conference. Three of the Eagles’ four wins have been on the road, including a 76-71 decision at Washington State on Nov. 27. Eastern Washington averages 81.0 points while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Eagles allow opponents 79.0 points per game on 43 percent shooting.
Steele Venters leads EWU at 19.1 points per game shooting 53 percent overall and 52 percent from 3-point range. Linton Acliese is the Eagles’ top rebounder at 7.8 per game while averaging 16.5 points per contest. Rylan Bergersen ia averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the fourth meeting between Colorado and Eastern Washington with the Buffaloes having won all three previous meetings. The last meeting was a 76-68 Buffs’ win at the CU Events Center on Dec. 22, 2016.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 7th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs hope to get their defensive mojo back against Eastern Washington: “We’ve just got to do the little things more”
From the Daily Camera … Unlike a handful of shooting slumps that have struck the Colorado men’s basketball team, the slump Elijah Parquet is battling through doesn’t necessarily jump off the box score. Unless, of course, one peruses the opposing score sheet.
Colorado’s lockdown senior guard has struggled defensively right alongside his teammates over the first month of the season. While those shooting slumps have to turn around as well, head coach Tad Boyle remains far more concerned about his team’s recent defensive efforts as the Buffaloes look ahead to a Wednesday night home date against Eastern Washington (6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
The Buffs returned to practice on Monday, and Boyle hinted for the first time so far this season he is considering revamping the rotation.
“There’s no reason to be in a defensive slump, but (Parquet) is struggling defensively,” Boyle said. “I just don’t think his mindset is where it needs to be there. I’ve got one thing the players want. And one thing only. It’s playing time. That’s how I fix it. That’s how I fix anything. I’ve got to do a better job of distributing the minutes, and I didn’t do a very good job of that (against Tennessee).”
Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler torched the Buffs for a 13-for-20 showing with 27 points on Saturday, but he hardly is the only opposing backcourt player to fare well against CU. UCLA’s Tyger Campbell went 4-for-7 on 3-pointers with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
… “I think it’s more off the ball than on the ball,” Parquet said of his defensive struggles. “Our ball-screen defense has been rough. One-on-one, guarding the ball, I think I’m doing a good job on that front. It’s just off the ball stuff. Rotations, that part of the defense. We’ve just got to do the little things more. That’s what we’ve got to focus on in practice, and in the games.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 4th – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Turnovers doom Buffs in 69-54 loss to No. 13 Tennessee
From CUBuffs.com … Turnovers plagued Colorado early and the Buffaloes had no answer for Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler on Saturday as CU dropped a 69-54 decision to the No. 13 Vols at the CU Events Center.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs fell to 6-3 overall with their second straight loss while Tennessee improved to 6-1.
Evan Battey led CU with 12 points, Tristan da Silva added 11 and Jabari Walker had 10. Keeshawn Barthelemy had just four points on 2-for-13 shooting, but did have a team-high nine rebounds.
Chandler led the Vols with 29 points, with the majority of his buckets coming on drives to the basket.
Colorado committed 15 turnovers — 12 in the first half — leading to 21 Tennessee points. CU was also outscored 42-28 in the paint and the Buffs shot just 19-for-55 (35 percent) from the floor while Tennessee shot 47.5 percent (29-for-61).
It was the third straight game the Buffs have allowed an opponent to shoot at least 46 percent from the floor, with the Vols cashing in 17 layups in the game.
The Buffs trailed by 10 at halftime after Chandler scored the last six points of the half. CU did manage to reduce the margin to five at several junctures midway through the second half, but the Vols never let Colorado get any closer.
“This was an opportunity that if we play the way we’re capable of playing, we can win this game — but we didn’t,” Boyle said. “We were not good enough on offense or defense. We don’t have that (defensive) identity yet. We don’t have players that have a defensive mindset. We just don’t.”
NEXT UP: The Buffaloes continue their homestand Wednesday when they play host to Eastern Washington in a 6 p.m. game at the CU Events Center (Pac-12 Networks).
… Continue reading story here …
–
——
December 3rd
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs Host No. 13 Tennessee (Saturday, 12:00 p.m., MT, Fox)
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the Pac-12 Conference, coming off a 73-61 setback at No. 5/5 ranked UCLA on Dec. 1. The Buffaloes opened the Pac-12 schedule with an 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 – the earliest conference game in the nation this season.
Colorado has won 29 of its last 40 games dating back to the beginning of the 2020-21 season. During that span the Buffaloes have avenged every loss with a win, with one lone exception; back-to-back losses at California and at Oregon, Feb. 13 & 18.
Colorado is averaging 76.6 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 69.5 points per game while opponents have shot 42 percent. The Buffaloes have outrebounded their eight opponents by an average of 6.9 per game. Colorado held Brown to 30.2 percent shooting (16-53) and held a plus-9 advantage on the boards (39-30). Colorado is 74-5 in the Tad Boyle era when holding teams under 40 percent from the field and at least a plus-8 rebound advantage.
ABOUT THE VOLS: Tennessee is 5-1 overall, ranked No. 13 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 15 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll. The Volunteers, winners of the last three, will play their first true road game of the season against Colorado. Tennessee has played a pair of neutral site games, including a convincing 89-72 win over then-No. 18 ranked North Carolina on Nov. 21, in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn.
Tennessee’s offense is putting up 82.0 points per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. The Volunteers lead the SEC and rank fourth in the nation in assists at 20.2 per game. The Tennessee defense has held its opponents to 63.3 points on 40 percent shooting. The Volunteers average 10.5 steals per game.
Santiago Vescovi leads Tennessee at 15.5 points per game and has a team-best 18 3-point field goals. Kennedy Chandler leads Tennessee in assists at 5.2 per game while averaging 15.3 points on 49 percent shooting. Olivier Nkamhoua tops the Vols in rebounding at 6.8 per game while pitching in 10.2 points per contest.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the fourth meeting between Colorado and Tennessee. The Volunteers have won all three previous meetings including a 56-47 decision in Knoxville on Dec. 8, 2020. The Volunteers swept a home-and-home in 1980 & Ô81.
Colorado is 70-117 against current SEC schools, which looks odd, but a 55-96 all-time record vs. Missouri factors into that. Remove the Tigers, and Texas A&M (series tied 9-9), the Buffaloes are 6-12 against the rest of the SEC.
BEHIND THE SERIES: Saturday’s game is the second of a three-game series between Colorado and Tennessee that evolved from last season’s revolving door of pandemic scheduling.
Colorado and Tennessee were not scheduled to meet in 2020-21 but after both sides experienced early season cancellations due to COVID, the teams put together an agreement that started with the Buffaloes playing in Knoxville on Dec. 8, 2020. The set will conclude with a neutral site game in Nashville in 2022-23.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS: Colorado is 0-1 against ranked teams in 2021-22 after dropping a 73-61 decision at No. 5/5 UCLA on Dec. 1. As the Buffaloes get set to take on No. 13/15 Tennessee, it will mark the first time since Jan. 25-27, 2018, that Colorado will face ranked teams in consecutive games. The Buffaloes fell at No. 11/12 Arizona and No. 21/20 Arizona State.
Colorado was 3-3 against ranked teams in 2020-21; its most games against ranked opponents in three seasons.
Colorado’s 22 wins over ranked opponents in the Tad Boyle era is by far the best in team history. In fact Boyle coached teams, with a record of 22-37, have accounted for 33 percent of wins over ranked opponents (66) since 1949-50.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 2nd
… CU in the Arena …
No rest for the weary – No. 13 Tennessee up next: “It’s what we’ve asked for, it’s what we want”
From the Daily Camera … The loss hopefully grabbed the team’s attention.
How that reckoning affects the Colorado men’s basketball team as it shifts frm one top-15 foe to another remains to be seen. But head coach Tad Boyle expects Wednesday’s loss at No. 5 UCLA will drive home the reality that the Buffs must play smarter.
After the Buffs exited Pauley Pavilion with a 73-61 loss, Boyle discussed the many small details within games that often came naturally to last year’s veteran squad, but have presented a tougher learning curve for this season’s much younger rotation. He also pointed out it’s much easier to get a team’s attention after a loss than after a win.
There’s evidence to support that thought, as recently the Buffs have responded well to defeat. Last year CU lost consecutive games only once (both on the road), and the Buffs bounced back from their first loss this season against Southern Illinois in the opening game of the Paradise Jam to close the tournament with two consecutive wins.
Keeping that trend intact will be much more difficult this week, as CU follows its visit to the fifth-ranked team in the nation by hosting No. 13 Tennessee on Saturday (noon, FS1).
… “(Tennessee) will be a good challenge,” sophomore forward Jabari Walker said. “It’s what we’ve asked for, it’s what we want. When we (get home) we’ll have to recover, get some rest, watch some film, be ready and learn from there.
“We’ve just got to box out more in rotations. It’s not necessarily about boxing out our man, but if we’re in help and figuring out the rotations. We’ll see it on film, but we’ve just got to find a man and box out.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
Buffs fall on the road to No. 5 UCLA, 73-61 – Boyle: “It’s time to learn from a loss”
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado endured a poor shooting night from the floor early and foul trouble all evening Wednesday as the Buffaloes dropped a 73-61 decision to No. 5 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.
Tad Boyle‘s Buffs fell to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play while UCLA improved to 7-1, 1-0.
Colorado’s Jabari Walker notched his fourth consecutive double-double and fifth of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Elijah Parquet added 11 points for the Buffs.
CU’s leading scorer for the season, Evan Battey, played just 15 minutes because of foul trouble and finished with four points and two rebounds.
Tyger Campbell led UCLA with 21 points.
Colorado never led in the game as UCLA held a 39-23 edge at intermission. The Buffs did manage to narrow the gap to four midway through the second half, 48-44, but that was as close as they could come. UCLA soon rebuilt the lead to 10 and the Buffs never cut the margin to single digits again down the stretch.
CU shot 42.6 percent for the game (23-for-54), but just 24 percent from 3-point range (5-for-21). The Bruins shot 47 percent (27-for-58), including 7-for-16 from beyond the arc.
After committing eight turnovers in the first half, the Buffs finished with 12, but the Bruins outscored Colorado 23-9 in points off turnovers. The Bruins also outrebounded Colorado 36-29.
“Opportunity missed,” Boyle said. “I knew our guys had fight in them. I told them that at halftime. I don’t question their heart and ability to come back, and we did in the second half … But (the Bruins) were the better team. They were the more physical team. That’s two games in a row we’ve been outrebounded and that can’t happen.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
December 1st – Game Day!
… CU in the Arena …
Colorado at No. 5 UCLA, 7:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks
From CUBuffs.com …
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 6-1 overall coming off a 80-76 win over Stanford on Nov. 28 to open the Pac-12 Conference schedule. The Buffaloes have won their last three since their opening round loss to Southern Illinois in the Paradise Jam. Colorado ended up placing fourth in that event (2-1) last week.
Colorado is averaging 78.9 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field. Defensively, the Buffaloes have allowed 69.0 points per game while opponents have shot 42 percent. The Buffaloes have outrebounded their seven opponents by an average of 8.9 per game. Colorado held Brown to 30.2 percent shooting (16-53) and held a plus-9 advantage on the boards (39-30). Colorado is 74-5 in the Tad Boyle era when holding teams under 40 percent from the field and at least a plus-8 rebound advantage.
ABOUT THE BRUINS: UCLA is 6-1 overall and ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press and Ferris Mowers Coaches Polls. Wednesday’s game will serve as the Pac-12 opener for the Bruins. UCLA averages 84.3 points while shooting 47 percent from the field. The Bruins lead the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting at 38.7 percent. Defensively, UCLA has held opponents to 67.6 points on 43 percent shooting.
Johnny Juzang leads UCLA at 17.4 points per game along with a team-best 15 3-point field goals. Jaime Jaquez, Jr., leads the Bruins in rebounding at 6.7 per contest while averaging 15.6 points. Jules Bernard averages 14.6 points per game. Tyger Campbell leads the Bruins in assists with 25 and averages 11.4 points an outing.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 22nd meeting between Colorado and UCLA with the Bruins holding a 14-7 advantage. Colorado snapped a three-game skid in the series with a 70-61 win in Boulder in the last meeting on Feb. 27, 2021. UCLA holds a 10-2 advantage in Los Angeles, although Colorado’s two wins have come since 2018.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
November 29th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs take to the road to face No. 5 UCLA (Wed., 7:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …. Before the season ever started, Colorado coach Tad Boyle looked at the schedule and knew this week would be a big one for the Buffaloes.
Three games in seven days, with two Pac-12 contests and two games against top 25 foes in the mix.
Sunday evening, the Buffs took care of the first part of the stretch, holding off Stanford for an 80-76 win at home to improve to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-12.
But the task becomes much more difficult beginning Wednesday, when the Buffs travel to Los Angeles for a 7:30 p.m. (MT) meeting with No. 5 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion (Pac-12 Networks). Then comes a noon matchup Saturday at home against No. 13 Tennessee.
“That’s why (Sunday’s) game was so important,” Boyle said. “I know what’s on the horizon. All you can ask for in life is an opportunity.”
Wednesday’s game against the Bruins is no doubt a big opportunity for Boyle’s young Buffs. Coming off a season that saw UCLA make a surprising run to the Final Four, Mick Cronin’s team was ranked No. 2 in the nation early until absorbing an 83-63 loss to Gonzaga last week. But UCLA also owns a win over Villanova already this season, and with a group that returns nearly every key player from a year ago — as well as some important additions — it’s no wonder the Bruins were a near-unanimous pick to win the conference title this season.
“We’ve got to put our hard hats on,” Boyle said. “UCLA, they don’t beat themselves. You’re going to have to make plays, play with mental toughness. They’re not going to give you anything, you have to earn everything.”
The Buffs have had decent success against UCLA in recent seasons. Colorado split with the Bruins last year, losing early in the conference season by three points at Pauley Pavilion before collecting a nine-point victory at home late in the year.
The loss to CU was one of four straight for UCLA down the stretch — three to end the regular season and one in the Pac-12 opener.
But the Bruins snuck into the NCAA Tournament with a berth in the first four, then reeled off five straight wins before losing to Gonzaga in the national semifinals.
Now, the players who led that run last season — including Johnny Juzang, Jamie Jaquez, Jules Bernard and Tyger Campbell — are all back and are all averaging double-figure scoring.
“They’re experienced and they’re confident,” Boyle said. “You have to make plays and you have to beat UCLA because they’re not going to beat themselves.”
… Continue reading story here …
–
—
K.J. Simpson named Pac-12 Freshman-of-the-Week
From the Daily Camera … KJ Simpson is working hard to keep his focus. Especially as he gains traction as a sparkplug off the bench for the Colorado men’s basketball team.
Yet that first trip home to play at the Division I level in front of your family and all your old friends is a big moment for any young player. And when Simpson hits the Pauley Pavilion floor at UCLA on Wednesday with a few dozen of his backers in the seats, he will do so with his first collegiate honor in his back pocket.
On Monday, Simpson was named the Pac-12 Conference freshman of the week, in large part due to his 12-point effort off the bench during Sunday’s league-opening win against Stanford. Simpson will have plenty of familiar faces ready to congratulate him on the honor when the Buffs visit UCLA, which dropped from No. 2 to No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, on Wednesday night (7:30 pm MT, Pac-12 Networks).
“I had to get the tickets arranged for my family and a bunch of other people that want to come down,” said Simpson, whose hometown of West Hills is about a half-hour northwest of UCLA. “And I know more family members, they bought their own tickets. So I know I’m going to have a huge support cast.
“It’s always fun going back home. But it’s not really nerves, it’s more like excitement. We have a tough opponent, and I feel like it’s going to be a hard-fought battle.”
Simpson becomes the second Buffs player to win the league’s freshman of the week honor since it was instituted two years ago. Current sophomore forward Jabari Walker collected the honor in January.
… Continue reading story here …
–
—–
54 Replies to “Colorado Basketball – January, 2022”
not quite dumb and dumber but there is a chance. 6 games left before the PAC tourney 5 of which are entirely winnable. If the Buffs can jettison their Jekyll and Hyde act, keep handing out the assists like the last game, cut the turnover some more they could wind up the regular season at 20-10 which could also include a first round bye in the PAC tourney. Make a move there, beast one of the conference big 3 and go dancin. From what I hear the committee likes teams ending their season on a tear.
btw all that includes focus and intensity from opening tip
btw one reason Utah managed to stay so close to the Buffs were their piddly 7 turnovers.
Do it Buffs.
can jettison their Jekyll and Hyde act
What? Not possible.
It is in the DNA……Look it up
Go Buffs
The Boston Celtics traded for Derrick White this week, pretty excited to have a Buff here in the “Gahden”
Made a fine impression in his first game last night and will be playing a lot with some talented young guys
As NIL revs up, I’m afraid that criticism of players on social media will only get worse as the perception of amateurism fades and college athletes are looked upon as closer to professionals. Of course many of the players will rely on social media to earn those NIL $ so it is a double edged sword. Can’t have it both ways.
yeah its a young team but they should be showing some progress as the season goes on. Instead they are regressing down the rat hole.
I cant pretend to be a Tad fan anymore. Nice guy, has a slightly better than average record but only half a coach.
Lack of efficient predictable scoring has been the limiter on all his teams. And that’s a fact .
Buffs.
Note: His new house is quite nice. On the golf course. Great flatiron and front range views. Smaller than the one he had in Niwot. Definitely a retirement home.
Not really, like I said at the beginning of the season, this is a young team, NIT at best.
Love Coach Tad. But his teams are one-dimensional. No offense. It seems like he doesn’t seek players that are natural scorers. Ok he’s had a few — Dinwiddie and White come to mind, and Walker is getting there — but most of his players look stiff and uncomfortable with the ball, and afraid to take a shot (I also think this contributes to high turnovers). I would like to see Tad evolve and build teams that are more dynamic offensively and balanced overall. He can do it and still keep defense and rebounding fundamental.
its the same ol thing for years. The only way I see an efficient offense from the Buffs is if Tad steals someone like another Zag assistant and lets him coach the O end of the floor.
Tad said this team showed a lot of guts
I say they also showed a lot of teamwork on offense
17 assists has to be a Tad team record.
make it a habit Buffs
Love the way they rallied to beat a good team on the road! Take away the turnover count (the inbounds troubles at the end was frustrating) from the stats sheet and this was almost a perfect game.
Anybody else notice the illegal, blatant, moving screen before Tyger Campbell’s game winning 3 point game winning shot? Neither did Bill Walton. Has anybody else had enough of him or is it only me?
I had enough of him long ago. His never ending nether planet stream of (un)consciousness completely distracts from the game so its no surprise he misses half of the game himself. I turn the sound off when he is has to call a game.
horrible shooting, horrible to to Asist ratio, out rebounded horribly…and still managed to stay within 3?
Geez
wtf?
get it together and get to the dance. Time is running out
Aside from rebounding, they played physical, gritty ball. Like it. But the offense is not enough. One of the leaders (Walker/Battey/DaSilva) will need to have a 20-point game to win vs. a top team like UA or USC (and UCLA, Oregon). If Simpson and Clifford continue to grow, and the leaders can have a breakout game when it really counts, these guys might have a chance to dance.
Entertaining first half from the Buffs vs. Wildcats. Wildcats just have too much talent and depth for the Buffs to hang in the second. I really like the Simpson kid and his no-fear attitude. I hope Tad doesn’t coach it out of him with his risk-averse offense philosophy. Way too many balls hitting iron by Walker/Battey/daSilva — team leaders need to do more (probably wouldn’t have changed the outcome though).
Come on Buffs beat the Sun Devils.
It’s about time! A story about the undefeated Women’s Basketball Team! They are playing great. I hope they will continue to win. I also hope you will add more stories & content about them moving forward.
started out looking like another death by 3 and turnover.
Tad had enough when Battey got a pass inside and the other 4 guys stood around the outside while the Huskies collapsed on him and took the ball away. After Tad read them the riot act they made the same pass inside to Battey and he passed back to Silva on a backdoor cut for an easy layup.
Looked to me like WA pooped themselves out doing the full court press which the Buffs managed to beat all but once. I say that because in the latter part of the second half the Buffs scored most of their points on layups or other shots from the paint.
And how bout Hammond? 4 for 4 on threes. Beginner’s luck? or has Tad finally found a real bomber?
btw
reffing was sub par …went both ways but still a lot of bad calls and no calls.
I still say this is one of the most talented teams Tad has ever had. If they can keep the intensity level up and find some consistent chemistry on O the dance is still a possibility.
The WSU win was important in getting an NIT bid at the end of the season, as WSU is the competition for those bids.
Not so sure. The only real talent I see on WSU is their big guy who is going to run up against several other big guys who will be a lot tougher for him to score against and their guard (Tyrel?) who pretty much scored whenever he wanted to. To their credit they did look like they had the more polished teamwork on offense, at least in the 1st half.
WSU has an NET in the 60’s, fourth best in the PAC 12. Utah, Stanford and Oregon will all be in the mix for an NIT bid, so CU needs to do well against them. Barring any big upsets in the PAC12 tourney, it only looks like 3 PAC12 team will be in the NCAA’s.
Bzzt……..CU/Oregon game is off again.
Got pleasure watching WKY take down Louisville. In case you have forgot Mason Faulkner plays for Louisville.
btw
the leading scorer for WKY went 5 for 7 on 3s
Reading Rooney today and I was surprised to see AZ in the number one NET spot. Weren’t they picked by all the “experts” to be somewhere around 4th in the PAC?
Maybe some of the that Mark Few magic found its way down there and AZ actually got a coaching level improvement since Sweaty had to quit.
Az is averaging 90 plus a game and its no coincidence that they are handing out a bushel of assists to get there. Even their leading scorer is a big assist guy. Nothing like teamwork for a team sport.
If Tad hasn’t watched some of their games maybe he should.
I am going to try and make a “few”
I watched a couple of AZ games. They are a really good team. Maybe thier incoming class was under-appreciated because some of the players are international and basically unrated. The new coach had them playing at a very high level right from the start, even with many new players.
As for the young Buffs they are a work in progress. For such a highly rated class, I would have expected to see at least one breakout star among them. There are flashes but no consistency.
Buffs basketball is also in need of a new offensive coordinator.
I wonder if Tad knows the triangle offense?
Can’t coach effort….what was frustrating was for the first 15 minutes of the game there was great movement off the ball on the offensive side….then it stopped. Started a bit again toward the end of the game but there was a good chunk of the game where the O stagnated.
However in these situations, it’s up to the coach to have plays to run to get the guys moving again….
I have noticed that the movement in the half court offense usually looked good for 10 maybe 15 seconds at the most on each possession and then stalls if they dont get a good shot right away.
I would thing the lack of any consistent rhythm with the O has to affect their shooting too let alone contribute to a lot of the turnovers.
All of Tad’s eggs are in the D basket. You very rarely hear him talk about the offense. I heard him say during a presser when asked about the O he said something to the effect that it would take care of itself.
aarrrghhh
Colorado was supposed to use the EWU to get their defensive mojo back but all I saw was that the opposition had the low post matchup they wanted all night long, our guards covering their big men. This happened because our guys aren’t fighting through the screens, I mean it’s not even close. Even if the screen setup is somewhat close, we’re switching and they’re scoring 2 easy points. It’s going to be a long season.
Geez, happy the Buffs pulled out the win, but the fact they were behind at any point of the game, let alone with 4 minutes left, to powerhouse 4W-4L Eastern Washington, at home, is making things look pretty scary with this team. Tad has had great success, but seems to have a knack of sucking the offense out of just about every one of his teams. This season they started out looking more dynamic offensively, had some swagger. Not anymore. If it weren’t for the huge rebounding advantage, they would have lost this game.
“its time to learn from a loss”
Do ya think Tad in any way was referring any of that to himself?
Tad’s D still cant work on 3 point shooters. Against UCLA that should have been an easier task. That midget Campbell, who shot 4 for 7 threes should have had a 6’5″ hand over his head all night long.
The 61 point pedestrian Buff offense was another problem.
And where are the CU 3’s???
Broken record…..Tad needs to learn to give these guys a better structured offense.
There is an opening for someone to help cure this problem on the Football team. Please let it be so.
The way those guys in Vegas can pick a basketball game spread is remarkable.
Good effort by the Buffs.
Go Buffs
I don’t know if Stanford is any good, but I liked The Buffs’ ability to get that win. Stanford seemed to keep punching back, but those kids always had an answer.
Go Buffs
👊 Woolley bugger.. 😎
If UCLA is the #2 team in the country, the Buffs have a chance
Go Big Tad-Ball
I’m guessing you saw the Gonzaga mutilation
This a young team and I have a feeling they were somewhat distracted with the Island/beach especially if they werent allowed t experience them. (dont know)
Having said that I was really disturbed by Tad’s quote that they ere going to have a lot of games like this. Sounds like he I still feel there is a was setting the stage for disappointment and discounting his coaching.
So how much is “a lot?” Yeah they are young but I still feel this is one of the best talented teams he has had even with Allen’s absence. “A lot” is up to you Tad.
I disagree, this isn’t a team full of one and done’s like a Kentucky where the talent is so awesome (NBA players in college) you can win even though they don’t have much experience playing together. This is a fairly talented team that needs to play together for a year or two before making a deep run in the NCAA’s, this year I don’t think they even make it to the NCAA’s (hopefully the NIT).
Based on early results your prediction of no dance looks like a reliable one but I still feel a team with this talent should mesh well enough after 20 games and 3 times that many practices to be improving play greatly towards the end of the year…….and if they can escape their horrible 3 point shooting and defense enough times during the season they might make the dance.
Avoid another embarrassing defeat??
That is one of the mighty Buffs habits……………has been for years………….maybe longer.
It happens to most teams but there seems to be a preponderance of this with the Buffs.
Anyway a win is a win.
Finally…got to see the team this year. It’s clear our strength is in the front court on the offensive end and much, much preferred the O in the 2nd half, every possession should feature a ‘big’.
Understand we are a motion offense however w/our team thinking it would be good to work in some pro-set, 2 man-game (w/everyone else clearing out). Pick and roll w/Jabari…b/c he can pop out for the ‘3’ on the switch…and/or clear out post ups (weak side help, kick to corner 3).
Outside of Key don’t know where the backcourt scoring comes from. Froshes…not surprising look a bit over their head, KJ needs to realize he just needs to run the offense or he won’t be playing much….Parquet or even Clifford need to trigger.
Terrible first half, good to see the grit to hang in there and really thought we had a chance until the banked in 3 pointer at the shot clock…that was one of many they hit ‘unexpectedly’ in the last few minutes and it broke us.
Buffs overcome sluggish start to dominate Maine, 90-46 … Buffs pull away late to defeat New Mexico, 87-76 … Buffs rally to defeat Montana State in overtime, 94-90…
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Well all three were wins so there is that…………..
expected……….
some good “training going on here”
Go Big Tad-Ball………………….no mice
Buffs
Nice win Buffs..basketball 🏀…. Football 🏈 still Kinda going on !!! 🥶long winter Buffs .. Lift some weights.. maybe get to a easy bowl game… Don’t wanna make it to hard on anyone.,..😡🎣
Hello George K.!! What’s the point of the Pac12 Network when you only show games regionally? While I (definitely do NOT) appreciate the 12th replay showing of UW vs. ASU circa 2013, it boggles my mind why you can’t show at least a replay of the Buffs game on the ‘national’ channel. Need to see some changes that impact the fans (i.e. paying customers).
Totally agree!!
I almost said no one guy is going to take “Wright’s” place but it might be too soon. Barthelemy played a heck of a game against MSU. Add to that Eli was a scoring machine. Bottom line I feel this team has a lot more talent all around than last year’s.
That being said, Tad’s bread and butter, the defense needs a lot of work…which isn’t surprising with a young team whose athleticism allowed them to dominate in high school.
It maybe too soon to say this too but it appears the team goes seven deep with players who can score double digits night in an out (3 pointers aside)…..and it looks like they are trying to play a team game on O but 17 turnovers amounts to at least 12 lost points.
So hopefully Tad will work on synchronizing the O equally (do I hear an echo in here?) A D practicing against an efficient O will get better faster.
And do whatever you can to improve the 3 shooting.
While watching the game I was thinking MSU was killing it on the 3s — they did shoot 40% but the Buffs shot 47% from beyond the arc. I agree the offensive talent looks deep and should be fun to watch. At one point I think there were 4 fresh/soph playing + Parquet and you didn’t think there was a big drop off.
Tonight Wednesday
CU Womens against Oki state
5:30
espn+
they are gonna be good and this is a big test
Go Lady Buffs
test passed
What a game to start the season.
Go Buffs
Wow what a game. Impressed w/Montana St and their lineup of 5th-year seniors and 3-pt shooters (the shot from mid-half-court was insane). Fun watching the young Buffs figure it out and get the win.
Rivals reports that Tad invited Larry Krystkowiak to practice for a couple of days.
Tad was quoted as saying:
“If I can glean two or three things from (Krystkowiak) that’ll help this program, it’s a really productive couple days.”
lets hope one of those things was how to improve the half court offense.
Het Stuart
What do you know about Montana State hoops?
Can they shoot the Buff killer….aka the 3?
Zone D?
MSU best player(s)?
any thing else?
■ Heading into the 2021-22 campaign, Montana State was picked as a contender in the Big Sky Conference in the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls. The Bobcats were picked third in each poll, with Southern Utah the favorite and Weber State slotted second in each. Two Bobcats, Jubrile Belo and Xavier Bishop, were among the seven players selected to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Team. It was Belo’s second straight year he was honored in the preseason.
■ Three Bobcats from a season ago hope to improve on their achievements from the 2020-21 slate. Xavier Bishop (2nd Team), Amin Adamu (3rd Team) and Jubrile Belo (3rd) were All-Big Sky selections during a shortened season.