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Colorado Basketball
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January 6th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs knock off consecutive ranked teams, taking out No. 14 Arizona, 80-77
From CUBuffs.com … Tad Boyle‘s Colorado Buffaloes are hot.
Five Buffs scored in double figures Saturday to lead Colorado an 80-77 win over No. 14 Arizona at the Coors Events Center.
It was Colorado’s second win in as many games over a top-20 team, coming on the heels of a 90-81 overtime win over Arizona State on Thursday.
Freshman McKinley Wright IV led the Buffs with 16 points, Dallas Walton added 15, Namon Wright and Dominique Collier each scored 14 and D’Shawn Schwartz added 10. George King led CU on the boards with 11 rebounds.
The Buffs led by as much as 20 in the first half before seeing Arizona narrow the cushion to 3 early in the second half.
Colorado, however, stifled the rally and built the margin back to 10, then held on down the stretch by hitting six free throws in the final minute.
Colorado improved to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in Pac-12 play while the Wildcats fell to 12-4, 2-1.
It is the first time Colorado has beaten ranked teams in back-to-back games since Boyle’s first season, when CU beat No. 9 Missouri and No. 21 Kansas State in back-to-back games.
… Continue reading story here …
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January 5th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs hope to continue momentum against No. 14 Arizona (Sat., noon, MT, Pac-12 Networks)
… Related … “CU men’s basketball shooting for successful encore against No. 14 Arizona” … from the Daily Camera
… Related … “Arizona Wildcats basketball faces up-and-coming Colorado team” … from the Arizona Republic
From CUBuffs.com … For much of the season, Colorado coach Tad Boyle has maintained that his Buffs could play with anyone in the Pac-12 — if they could maintain long stretches of consistency.
Thursday night, the 9-6 Buffs backed up Boyle’s belief in a big way with a 90-81 overtime win over fourth-ranked Arizona State. After yet another slow start — one that resulted in an early 13-1 deficit — the Buffs then put together their best 40 minutes of basketball this season.
It was a quality win over a quality team. Arizona State’s only previous loss came at Arizona, and the Sun Devils have wins at Kansas, and over Kansas State and Xavier (currently the fifth-ranked Musketeers’ only loss) on a neutral floor.
You will hear more from the Sun Devils in March.
Of course, the question now is whether the Buffs can maintain that level of play from game to game and week to week.
CU fans won’t have to wait long for an answer, as Colorado will be back on the Coors Events Center floor Saturday for a noon matchup with No. 14 Arizona (Pac-12 Networks).
What we saw Thursday night is how good the Buffs can be if everyone in the lineup contributes. The Buffs produced balanced scoring, tenacious rebounding and defense with an edge.
… Continue reading story here …
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Game Notes … Colorado is 9-6 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-12 Conference after a thrilling 90-81 overtime win over No. 4 (AP)/6 (Coaches) ranked Arizona State on Jan. 4. The win snapped a three-game skid and was Colorado’s highest AP ranked win since defeating No. 3 Texas, 93-80, in Boulder on Feb. 4, 2003.
Colorado is averaging 75.4 points per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Overall the Buffaloes have been balanced in scoring with three players averaging double-figures and six averaging between six and 16 points an outing.
THE WILDCATS … Arizona is 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12 after its 94-82 win at Utah on Jan. 4. The Wildcats entered the week ranked No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Poll while coming in at No. 16 in the Coaches Poll. Arizona has won nine straight since a three-game losing skid back in November.
Arizona is averaging 84.2 points on a Pac-12 best 51.4 percent from the field. The Wildcats are also a league-best 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Defensively, Arizona allows 72.2 points while opponents shoot 42.2 percent. The Wildcats lead the Pac-12 in rebounding margin (+7.3) after doubling up Utah, 46-23.
Arizona’s inside-out duo of junior guard Allonzo Trier and freshman forward Deandre Ayton are combining for over 40 points per game. Trier has a slight edge averaging 20.3 points on 54 percent shooting and a team best 31 3-point field goals. Ayton averages 20 points per game while leading the Pac-12 in rebounding at 12.1 per contest. Ayton is coming off a 24-point, 14-rebound performance at Utah. Sophomore guard Rawle Alkins is averaging 15.5 points on 52 percent shooting. Senior center Dusan Ristic is averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 56 percent.
Sean Miller is in his ninth year at Arizona with a record of 232-69. He is in his 14th year overall as a collegiate head coach with a record of 352-116.
SERIES RECORDS … This will be the 29th meeting between Colorado and Arizona with the Wildcats holding a 16-12 series lead. Arizona has won the last three, including a 92-78 decision in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Pac-12 Tournament. The Buffaloes are 8-4 against the Wildcats in Boulder and won the last meeting at the Coors Events Center where Colorado topped No. 9 ranked Arizona 75-72 on Feb. 24, 2016. Arizona has won 11 of 14 meetings since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011-12.
Tad Boyle is 4-11 against Arizona as a head coach. Sean Miller is 12-4 against Colorado as a head coach.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS … Colorado is 1-1 against ranked opponents this season after its 90-81 overtime win over No. 4/6 Arizona State. It was Colorado’s first win over a Top 5 opponent since defeating No. 5 Texas in February 2011 and highest ranked AP opponent since defeating No. 3 Texas in February 2003.
Colorado’s 16 wins over ranked opponents in Boyle’s seven-plus seasons is by far the best streak in team history. In fact Boyle coached teams, with a record of 16-29, have accounted for 27 percent of wins over ranked opponents (60) since 1949-50.
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January 4th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs upset No. 4 Arizona State in overtime, 90-81
… Related … Game stats … CU’s 60th win over a ranked team (16 of those coming under Tad Boyle) …
… Related … “CU Buffs overcome slow start to knock off fourth-ranked Arizona State” … from the Daily Camera
… Related … “No. 4 Arizona State basketball upset by Colorado” … from the Arizona Republic (including criticism of officiating by ASU head coach Bobby Hurley)
From CUBuffs.com … Thursday afternoon, Colorado coach Tad Boyle showed his team highlight clips of the program’s 15 wins over nationally ranked teams in his tenure in Boulder.
He then told the Buffs it was their turn to add the next chapter — and that’s exactly what they did.
Spurred on by a raucous Coors Events Center crowd, the Buffs rallied from an eight-point second-half deficit to knock off fourth-ranked Arizona State in overtime, 90-81, outscoring the visitors 16-7 in the extra period for the victory. The Sun Devils were the highest-ranked team beaten by Colorado in the Boyle era, and the highest-ranked team beaten by the Buffs since CU knocked off No. 3 Texas in February 2003.
The win also ended a three-game CU losing streak and improved Colorado’s record to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils lost their second in a row to fall to 12-2 and 0-2.
The win was a team effort in every regard as the Buffs battled back from big deficits in the first and second half to collect the win. Freshman McKinley Wright IV and junior Namon Wright each scored 19 points for Colorado while senior George King added 18 points and nine rebounds and senior Dominique Collier had 11 points and a team-high six assists.
Tra Holder led ASU with 24 points
“What a resilient group we had,” Boyle said. “Our guys were a little bit down, felt like maybe we should have finished a little stronger in regulation. But they didn’t stay down. We came out in overtime and made winning plays. …. I’m just really proud of them.”
… Continue reading story here …
WHAT IT MEANS: The Buffs halted a three-game losing streak in the best possible fashion, by knocking off the nation’s fourth-ranked team. The win should give them some momentum as they continue a brutal Pac-12 stretch that includes Saturday’s home game against No. 14 Arizona.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs held ASU to just 35.5 percent shooting from the floor (27-for-76), including a 9-for-34 night from 3-point range. Colorado also had a 48-41 rebound edge and outscored the Sun Devils 17-9 on second-chance points.
NOTEWORTHY: The win was Colorado’s 60th all-time against ranked teams, with Boyle’s squad responsible for 16 of those. … The Buffs are now 7-1 against ASU in Boulder. … CU is 2-0 in overtime games this season (the Buffs beat South Dakota State in double-overtime earlier this year). … CU shot 46 percent from the field after shooting just 39 percent in its first two Pac-12 games.
QUOTEWORTHY: “We can turn this thing around quick. A game plan is a game plan and we have to put it in and execute it. That presents a whole different challenge because Arizona comes with completely different problems than Arizona State.” — CU head coach Tad Boyle on Saturday’s game against 14th-ranked Arizona.
“Nobody expected us to win this game. Nobody believed in us except us and our fans. We don’t care what anybody thinks, we’re here to prove people wrong.” — CU freshman McKinley Wright.
NEXT UP: The Buffs play host to No. 14 Arizona on Saturday in a noon game at the Coors Events Center. The Wildcats beat Utah, 94-82, Thursday.
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January 3rd
… CU in the Arena …
CU taking on surprising No. 4 Arizona State (Thurs., 6:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …
Game Notes … Colorado dropped a pair of road games at Oregon State (76-57) and Oregon (77-62) last week to open the Pac-12 Conference season. The Buffaloes opened Pac-12 play on the road for the third straight year and fourth time in the last six seasons.
The Buffaloes finished off the nonconference portion of their schedule at 8-4 after falling to Iowa 80-73 in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Dec. 22. After a 6-0 start, the Buffaloes have dropped three straight and six of their last eight.
Colorado is averaging 74.4 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Overall the Buffaloes have been balanced in scoring with three players averaging double-figures and six averaging between six and 16 points an outing. Defensively, Colorado is allowing 73.7 points per game while holding opponents to 43.1 percent shooting and 34.9 percent from 3-point range.
THE SUN DEVILS … Arizona State is 12-1 overall after dropping its Pac-12 Conference opener to rival Arizona on Dec. 30. The Sun Devils are ranked No. 4 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Arizona State sports the top scoring offense in the Pac-12 at 90.7 points per game and ranks second in field goal shooting at 49.7 percent. The Sun Devils rank second in the Pac-12 in assists (15.8 apg), turnover margin (+4.6) and 3-point percentage (.393). Defensively, Arizona State allows 72.6 points per game on 41.3 percent from the field.
Senior guard Tra Holder leads the Pac-12 in scoring at 22.0 pointsper game. He is third in the Pac-12 in steals (1.8 spg) and 3-pointers made (2.8 3mpg). Senior guard Shannon Evans II is second on the team in scoring at 17.0 points per game while leading the Sun Devils in assists (61) and 3-pointers made (38). Freshman forward Romello White tops Arizona State in rebounding at 8.6 per game while scoring 13.8 points on 69 percent shooting. Senior guard
Kodi Justice is averaging 13.0 points and ranks third on the teamin 3-pointers with 34.
SERIES RECORDS … This will be the 15th meeting between Colorado and Arizona State with the series tied at 7-7. The teams met just once last year, a 78-77 Sun Devils victory in Tempe on Jan. 5. Colorado has won three of the last five overall in the series and holds a 6-1 advantage in Boulder. ASU’s lone win at the Coors Events Center was a 63-62 overtime decision on Feb. 16, 2013.
Tad Boyle is 5-6 against Arizona State as a head coach. Bobby Hurley is 1-1 against Colorado as a head coach.
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Dallas Walton showing improvement in CU’s middle
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado redshirt freshman Dallas Walton is steadily developing into the player the Buffaloes need him to be.
It is a need that has become far more important since the season began.
The Buffs opened the season figuring Walton would be a key reserve, providing relief inside for senior starter Tory Miller-Stewart. But when Miller suffered a season-ending foot injury after the sixth game of the season, Walton’s role changed — and he is developing into the type of big man who should be able to hold his own in the Pac-12, particularly as he gains more experience.
In his first two Pac-12 games last weekend, Walton had just five points against Oregon State and three against Oregon. But he did make his presence known on the boards, collecting five rebounds against the Beavers and six against the Ducks, as well as a pair of blocked shots against OSU. While the rebound totals weren’t a career high — he had eight earlier this year against New Mexico — his performance nevertheless provided him with some reassurance that he can play in the Pac-12.
“You don’t really know what kind of level your body needs to be at until you’re down there bumping with the big guys like (OSU’s Drew) Eubanks, one of the best big guys in the Pac-12,” Walton said. “Oregon had some big strong bigs as well. Holding my own against them, bumping with them — it opened my eyes. I realized I belong here. In my mind I was preparing myself for the absolute worst and the worst didn’t happen.”
… Continue reading story here …
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January 2nd
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs have to “turn the page”, with two ranked teams coming to town this weekend
From CUBuffs.com … A few minutes after the Colorado Buffaloes had suffered their second Pac-12 loss Sunday in as many tries this season, coach Tad Boyle told his team they had to look ahead.
“I told our team we’re turning the page,” Boyle said after a 77-62 loss at Oregon, CU’s last game in 2017. “We have 16 games left and we have to approach this kind of like it’s a new season. We’re on a little bit of a slide right now and we have to correct that.”
The 8-6 Buffs are indeed currently mired in a slide. After a 6-0 run to start the season in November, the Buffs lost six of eight in December, including the last three.
Now, with the calendar showing not only a new month but a new year, Colorado would love to start 2018 on the right note.
The good news is the Buffs get a pair of home games this week, always a good place to look for a win. But Colorado’s first Pac-12 homestand of the year is by no means one designed to provide a cure for what has been ailing the Buffs for the last month.
Rather, it has the appearance of a “frying pan into the fire” type of weekend, one that begins Thursday with a visit from fourth-ranked Arizona State (12-1), followed by a noon tipoff Saturday against No. 14 Arizona (11-3).
But Boyle, ever the optimist, sees the Buffs’ first conference homestand as a chance to build confidence and momentum early in the Pac-12 season.
“What an opportunity we have next week,” Boyle said. “Two top programs coming into Boulder and the Coors Events Center. We need to turn the page and get ready for those guys. We have to strap it on.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Stuart
Continue reading...
Colorado Basketball
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January 6th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs knock off consecutive ranked teams, taking out No. 14 Arizona, 80-77
From CUBuffs.com … Tad Boyle‘s Colorado Buffaloes are hot.
Five Buffs scored in double figures Saturday to lead Colorado an 80-77 win over No. 14 Arizona at the Coors Events Center.
It was Colorado’s second win in as many games over a top-20 team, coming on the heels of a 90-81 overtime win over Arizona State on Thursday.
Freshman McKinley Wright IV led the Buffs with 16 points, Dallas Walton added 15, Namon Wright and Dominique Collier each scored 14 and D’Shawn Schwartz added 10. George King led CU on the boards with 11 rebounds.
The Buffs led by as much as 20 in the first half before seeing Arizona narrow the cushion to 3 early in the second half.
Colorado, however, stifled the rally and built the margin back to 10, then held on down the stretch by hitting six free throws in the final minute.
Colorado improved to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in Pac-12 play while the Wildcats fell to 12-4, 2-1.
It is the first time Colorado has beaten ranked teams in back-to-back games since Boyle’s first season, when CU beat No. 9 Missouri and No. 21 Kansas State in back-to-back games.
… Continue reading story here …
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January 5th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs hope to continue momentum against No. 14 Arizona (Sat., noon, MT, Pac-12 Networks)
… Related … “CU men’s basketball shooting for successful encore against No. 14 Arizona” … from the Daily Camera
… Related … “Arizona Wildcats basketball faces up-and-coming Colorado team” … from the Arizona Republic
From CUBuffs.com … For much of the season, Colorado coach Tad Boyle has maintained that his Buffs could play with anyone in the Pac-12 — if they could maintain long stretches of consistency.
Thursday night, the 9-6 Buffs backed up Boyle’s belief in a big way with a 90-81 overtime win over fourth-ranked Arizona State. After yet another slow start — one that resulted in an early 13-1 deficit — the Buffs then put together their best 40 minutes of basketball this season.
It was a quality win over a quality team. Arizona State’s only previous loss came at Arizona, and the Sun Devils have wins at Kansas, and over Kansas State and Xavier (currently the fifth-ranked Musketeers’ only loss) on a neutral floor.
You will hear more from the Sun Devils in March.
Of course, the question now is whether the Buffs can maintain that level of play from game to game and week to week.
CU fans won’t have to wait long for an answer, as Colorado will be back on the Coors Events Center floor Saturday for a noon matchup with No. 14 Arizona (Pac-12 Networks).
What we saw Thursday night is how good the Buffs can be if everyone in the lineup contributes. The Buffs produced balanced scoring, tenacious rebounding and defense with an edge.
… Continue reading story here …
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Game Notes … Colorado is 9-6 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-12 Conference after a thrilling 90-81 overtime win over No. 4 (AP)/6 (Coaches) ranked Arizona State on Jan. 4. The win snapped a three-game skid and was Colorado’s highest AP ranked win since defeating No. 3 Texas, 93-80, in Boulder on Feb. 4, 2003.
Colorado is averaging 75.4 points per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Overall the Buffaloes have been balanced in scoring with three players averaging double-figures and six averaging between six and 16 points an outing.
THE WILDCATS … Arizona is 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12 after its 94-82 win at Utah on Jan. 4. The Wildcats entered the week ranked No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Poll while coming in at No. 16 in the Coaches Poll. Arizona has won nine straight since a three-game losing skid back in November.
Arizona is averaging 84.2 points on a Pac-12 best 51.4 percent from the field. The Wildcats are also a league-best 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Defensively, Arizona allows 72.2 points while opponents shoot 42.2 percent. The Wildcats lead the Pac-12 in rebounding margin (+7.3) after doubling up Utah, 46-23.
Arizona’s inside-out duo of junior guard Allonzo Trier and freshman forward Deandre Ayton are combining for over 40 points per game. Trier has a slight edge averaging 20.3 points on 54 percent shooting and a team best 31 3-point field goals. Ayton averages 20 points per game while leading the Pac-12 in rebounding at 12.1 per contest. Ayton is coming off a 24-point, 14-rebound performance at Utah. Sophomore guard Rawle Alkins is averaging 15.5 points on 52 percent shooting. Senior center Dusan Ristic is averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 56 percent.
Sean Miller is in his ninth year at Arizona with a record of 232-69. He is in his 14th year overall as a collegiate head coach with a record of 352-116.
SERIES RECORDS … This will be the 29th meeting between Colorado and Arizona with the Wildcats holding a 16-12 series lead. Arizona has won the last three, including a 92-78 decision in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Pac-12 Tournament. The Buffaloes are 8-4 against the Wildcats in Boulder and won the last meeting at the Coors Events Center where Colorado topped No. 9 ranked Arizona 75-72 on Feb. 24, 2016. Arizona has won 11 of 14 meetings since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011-12.
Tad Boyle is 4-11 against Arizona as a head coach. Sean Miller is 12-4 against Colorado as a head coach.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS … Colorado is 1-1 against ranked opponents this season after its 90-81 overtime win over No. 4/6 Arizona State. It was Colorado’s first win over a Top 5 opponent since defeating No. 5 Texas in February 2011 and highest ranked AP opponent since defeating No. 3 Texas in February 2003.
Colorado’s 16 wins over ranked opponents in Boyle’s seven-plus seasons is by far the best streak in team history. In fact Boyle coached teams, with a record of 16-29, have accounted for 27 percent of wins over ranked opponents (60) since 1949-50.
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January 4th
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs upset No. 4 Arizona State in overtime, 90-81
… Related … Game stats … CU’s 60th win over a ranked team (16 of those coming under Tad Boyle) …
… Related … “CU Buffs overcome slow start to knock off fourth-ranked Arizona State” … from the Daily Camera
… Related … “No. 4 Arizona State basketball upset by Colorado” … from the Arizona Republic (including criticism of officiating by ASU head coach Bobby Hurley)
From CUBuffs.com … Thursday afternoon, Colorado coach Tad Boyle showed his team highlight clips of the program’s 15 wins over nationally ranked teams in his tenure in Boulder.
He then told the Buffs it was their turn to add the next chapter — and that’s exactly what they did.
Spurred on by a raucous Coors Events Center crowd, the Buffs rallied from an eight-point second-half deficit to knock off fourth-ranked Arizona State in overtime, 90-81, outscoring the visitors 16-7 in the extra period for the victory. The Sun Devils were the highest-ranked team beaten by Colorado in the Boyle era, and the highest-ranked team beaten by the Buffs since CU knocked off No. 3 Texas in February 2003.
The win also ended a three-game CU losing streak and improved Colorado’s record to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils lost their second in a row to fall to 12-2 and 0-2.
The win was a team effort in every regard as the Buffs battled back from big deficits in the first and second half to collect the win. Freshman McKinley Wright IV and junior Namon Wright each scored 19 points for Colorado while senior George King added 18 points and nine rebounds and senior Dominique Collier had 11 points and a team-high six assists.
Tra Holder led ASU with 24 points
“What a resilient group we had,” Boyle said. “Our guys were a little bit down, felt like maybe we should have finished a little stronger in regulation. But they didn’t stay down. We came out in overtime and made winning plays. …. I’m just really proud of them.”
… Continue reading story here …
WHAT IT MEANS: The Buffs halted a three-game losing streak in the best possible fashion, by knocking off the nation’s fourth-ranked team. The win should give them some momentum as they continue a brutal Pac-12 stretch that includes Saturday’s home game against No. 14 Arizona.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs held ASU to just 35.5 percent shooting from the floor (27-for-76), including a 9-for-34 night from 3-point range. Colorado also had a 48-41 rebound edge and outscored the Sun Devils 17-9 on second-chance points.
NOTEWORTHY: The win was Colorado’s 60th all-time against ranked teams, with Boyle’s squad responsible for 16 of those. … The Buffs are now 7-1 against ASU in Boulder. … CU is 2-0 in overtime games this season (the Buffs beat South Dakota State in double-overtime earlier this year). … CU shot 46 percent from the field after shooting just 39 percent in its first two Pac-12 games.
QUOTEWORTHY: “We can turn this thing around quick. A game plan is a game plan and we have to put it in and execute it. That presents a whole different challenge because Arizona comes with completely different problems than Arizona State.” — CU head coach Tad Boyle on Saturday’s game against 14th-ranked Arizona.
“Nobody expected us to win this game. Nobody believed in us except us and our fans. We don’t care what anybody thinks, we’re here to prove people wrong.” — CU freshman McKinley Wright.
NEXT UP: The Buffs play host to No. 14 Arizona on Saturday in a noon game at the Coors Events Center. The Wildcats beat Utah, 94-82, Thursday.
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January 3rd
… CU in the Arena …
CU taking on surprising No. 4 Arizona State (Thurs., 6:30 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks)
From CUBuffs.com …
Game Notes … Colorado dropped a pair of road games at Oregon State (76-57) and Oregon (77-62) last week to open the Pac-12 Conference season. The Buffaloes opened Pac-12 play on the road for the third straight year and fourth time in the last six seasons.
The Buffaloes finished off the nonconference portion of their schedule at 8-4 after falling to Iowa 80-73 in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Dec. 22. After a 6-0 start, the Buffaloes have dropped three straight and six of their last eight.
Colorado is averaging 74.4 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Overall the Buffaloes have been balanced in scoring with three players averaging double-figures and six averaging between six and 16 points an outing. Defensively, Colorado is allowing 73.7 points per game while holding opponents to 43.1 percent shooting and 34.9 percent from 3-point range.
THE SUN DEVILS … Arizona State is 12-1 overall after dropping its Pac-12 Conference opener to rival Arizona on Dec. 30. The Sun Devils are ranked No. 4 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Arizona State sports the top scoring offense in the Pac-12 at 90.7 points per game and ranks second in field goal shooting at 49.7 percent. The Sun Devils rank second in the Pac-12 in assists (15.8 apg), turnover margin (+4.6) and 3-point percentage (.393). Defensively, Arizona State allows 72.6 points per game on 41.3 percent from the field.
Senior guard Tra Holder leads the Pac-12 in scoring at 22.0 pointsper game. He is third in the Pac-12 in steals (1.8 spg) and 3-pointers made (2.8 3mpg). Senior guard Shannon Evans II is second on the team in scoring at 17.0 points per game while leading the Sun Devils in assists (61) and 3-pointers made (38). Freshman forward Romello White tops Arizona State in rebounding at 8.6 per game while scoring 13.8 points on 69 percent shooting. Senior guard
Kodi Justice is averaging 13.0 points and ranks third on the teamin 3-pointers with 34.
SERIES RECORDS … This will be the 15th meeting between Colorado and Arizona State with the series tied at 7-7. The teams met just once last year, a 78-77 Sun Devils victory in Tempe on Jan. 5. Colorado has won three of the last five overall in the series and holds a 6-1 advantage in Boulder. ASU’s lone win at the Coors Events Center was a 63-62 overtime decision on Feb. 16, 2013.
Tad Boyle is 5-6 against Arizona State as a head coach. Bobby Hurley is 1-1 against Colorado as a head coach.
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Dallas Walton showing improvement in CU’s middle
From CUBuffs.com … Colorado redshirt freshman Dallas Walton is steadily developing into the player the Buffaloes need him to be.
It is a need that has become far more important since the season began.
The Buffs opened the season figuring Walton would be a key reserve, providing relief inside for senior starter Tory Miller-Stewart. But when Miller suffered a season-ending foot injury after the sixth game of the season, Walton’s role changed — and he is developing into the type of big man who should be able to hold his own in the Pac-12, particularly as he gains more experience.
In his first two Pac-12 games last weekend, Walton had just five points against Oregon State and three against Oregon. But he did make his presence known on the boards, collecting five rebounds against the Beavers and six against the Ducks, as well as a pair of blocked shots against OSU. While the rebound totals weren’t a career high — he had eight earlier this year against New Mexico — his performance nevertheless provided him with some reassurance that he can play in the Pac-12.
“You don’t really know what kind of level your body needs to be at until you’re down there bumping with the big guys like (OSU’s Drew) Eubanks, one of the best big guys in the Pac-12,” Walton said. “Oregon had some big strong bigs as well. Holding my own against them, bumping with them — it opened my eyes. I realized I belong here. In my mind I was preparing myself for the absolute worst and the worst didn’t happen.”
… Continue reading story here …
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January 2nd
… CU in the Arena …
Buffs have to “turn the page”, with two ranked teams coming to town this weekend
From CUBuffs.com … A few minutes after the Colorado Buffaloes had suffered their second Pac-12 loss Sunday in as many tries this season, coach Tad Boyle told his team they had to look ahead.
“I told our team we’re turning the page,” Boyle said after a 77-62 loss at Oregon, CU’s last game in 2017. “We have 16 games left and we have to approach this kind of like it’s a new season. We’re on a little bit of a slide right now and we have to correct that.”
The 8-6 Buffs are indeed currently mired in a slide. After a 6-0 run to start the season in November, the Buffs lost six of eight in December, including the last three.
Now, with the calendar showing not only a new month but a new year, Colorado would love to start 2018 on the right note.
The good news is the Buffs get a pair of home games this week, always a good place to look for a win. But Colorado’s first Pac-12 homestand of the year is by no means one designed to provide a cure for what has been ailing the Buffs for the last month.
Rather, it has the appearance of a “frying pan into the fire” type of weekend, one that begins Thursday with a visit from fourth-ranked Arizona State (12-1), followed by a noon tipoff Saturday against No. 14 Arizona (11-3).
But Boyle, ever the optimist, sees the Buffs’ first conference homestand as a chance to build confidence and momentum early in the Pac-12 season.
“What an opportunity we have next week,” Boyle said. “Two top programs coming into Boulder and the Coors Events Center. We need to turn the page and get ready for those guys. We have to strap it on.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Stuart
Continue reading...