LAHAINA, Maui -- Why are the Buffs here?
Colorado has lost at least 20 games and finished last in the Big 12 for the past three seasons. The program's last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2003 and its last victory in the Big Dance was in 1997 (courtesy of Chauncey Billups).
Yet the Buffs, picked to finish last in the conference again by the coaches, will be on college basketball's biggest preseason stage Monday when they open the EA Sports Maui Invitational against Gonzaga at the Lahaina Civic Center (1 p.m., ESPN2).
So how did CU end up in a tournament that usually features teams like North Carolina, Duke, UCLA and Connecticut (the last four champions of the event)?
Jeff Bzdelik.
Despite all of the recent struggles on the court, the program is gaining respect because the former Denver Nuggets and Air Force head coach is in charge of the rebuilding process in Boulder.
"I'll be honest with you, one of the reasons Colorado is here is because of him. He has a great reputation and so much respect around the country," Maui Invitational tournament chairman Dave Odom said during an interview with the Camera. "When the field was being aligned, one of the things when the University of Colorado's name came up was that they have a great coach there now, one who is reputable and does it the right way. He's highly respected from a tactical standpoint, and it's a good time to get them in here."
More from Thorburn - very good article
Colorado has lost at least 20 games and finished last in the Big 12 for the past three seasons. The program's last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2003 and its last victory in the Big Dance was in 1997 (courtesy of Chauncey Billups).
Yet the Buffs, picked to finish last in the conference again by the coaches, will be on college basketball's biggest preseason stage Monday when they open the EA Sports Maui Invitational against Gonzaga at the Lahaina Civic Center (1 p.m., ESPN2).
So how did CU end up in a tournament that usually features teams like North Carolina, Duke, UCLA and Connecticut (the last four champions of the event)?
Jeff Bzdelik.
Despite all of the recent struggles on the court, the program is gaining respect because the former Denver Nuggets and Air Force head coach is in charge of the rebuilding process in Boulder.
"I'll be honest with you, one of the reasons Colorado is here is because of him. He has a great reputation and so much respect around the country," Maui Invitational tournament chairman Dave Odom said during an interview with the Camera. "When the field was being aligned, one of the things when the University of Colorado's name came up was that they have a great coach there now, one who is reputable and does it the right way. He's highly respected from a tactical standpoint, and it's a good time to get them in here."
More from Thorburn - very good article
