An Attempt at Stage 3

In previous months, I told myself the death of the Pac-12 couldn't happen (Stage One).  Later, I raged against that death and (my perception of) its implications for the Colorado Men's Basketball program (Stage Two). I guess what's left now is to move on to Stage Three and start bargaining my way through this, so...

Last weekend, I stated that Colorado stepping into the 2024 iteration of the BigXII will be dead on arrival. But, is it? What if I'm dead wrong? What if the long-term prospects of the program lean more towards thriving, instead of suffocating? What exactly would that look like? What kind of effort would it take to survive and advance in this new reality?

To start, let's add some context about where the Buffs will slot into this new conference. Remember, it's not just about wins and losses that first season. My overall point in my previous article was regarding Colorado as a long-term prospect, rather than just how successful the individual 2024-25 squad will be. So, to better understand, I performed an extremely basic review of the final KenPom rankings for each of the 16 programs, over both the whole Tad Boyle era (now up to 13 seasons of results) and the last five campaigns. The hope here is to get a broader sense of the long-term strength of each of the programs. I'll grant that the underlying methodology is flawed, not least because we're talking about schools that are coming together from different conferences and with several layers of coaching dynamics (for example, the Huggins fiasco in Morgantown) that belie such a basic review of past success. However, it's what I've got, and at least gives us a way to start the discussion.

Off the top, Colorado doesn't fare too poorly -- 9th-best in recent years, 10th overall, and just below the top-half cut (FWIW, 4th and 5th, respectively, in the old Pac-12). As currently constituted, this level of consistent performance would be considered on the competitive fringe in a league where finishing 7th or 8th in a given year should still (most likely) guarantee you an invite into the NCAA Tournament. 

A quick glance also reveals some basic narratives about the power dynamics of this new-ish league.  Of course, Kansas, both on the hardwood and in the meeting rooms, will be the heavy hitter. But what quickly emerges is that there are only three programs -- KU, Baylor, and Arizona -- who have averaged a top-25 KP finish over the last 13 years. That is an indelible indicator of those programs' continued success over a long stretch, one that clearly sets them apart as the upper echelon of the league. But, and this may surprise some people, in recent years it has been Houston that has been the healthiest of all the programs, even beating out Kansas with an astonishing average of a 7th-place finish since 2019. Caveats for the weaker American Athletic Conference aside, the Cougars have been a monster, and deserve similar consideration to the other three declared powers. That leaves the BigXII with a clear top-four of perennial powers; those expected to succeed, who have entrenched fan bases and donor structures to support continued growth (and exploitation of NIL opportunities), and who should be expected to continue to enjoy similar success for years to come. Regardless of how the next few years go, I would expect those four programs to lead the league's narrative, barring something really weird... or some litigation. 

Extreme optimism aside, I think it would be hard to foresee a set of circumstances that would have Colorado finding a way into that top tier. So, what would a reasonable target be?  Well, it's not too far off. As noted, a top-half finish, year-in year-out, would probably be enough for the Dance. More to the point, just like in the Pac-12, routinely finishing in the top half of the league, maybe even snagging a top-four finish every four-ish years, gives you a base to build on. That would allow the program to maintain its current competitive, prideful status, and continue to justify wider fanbase interest. Say, top-50 in KenPom, which is, more or less, where CU has been in recent years. If Colorado can keep to that floor, they should consistently finish in the top-8 of the league.

The impediment here is obvious: the conference's depth. As I found in the experiment discussed above, an average BigXII team, over the last five years, was 30 slots better than an average Pac-12 team. In the former Conference of Champions, we had come to count on programs like WSU, Ore St, and Cal fielding teams that were simply not competitive. Schools you could, year after year, hope to beat both in Boulder and on the road.  In the BigXII, there are few such cupcakes, and everyone has ambition. Texas Tech, WVU, KSU, ISU, TCU, and BYU have each finished inside the KenPom top-25 at least once within the last five years -- hell, I only left Tech off the power list 'cause I'm not 100% sold that the transition from the Chris Beard era is on solid footing, but they were an overtime away from a national title in 2019. Tweeners Ok St and Cincinnati may not have been quite at that level in recent years, but they've been consistent enough to pay attention to and will project to be tough outs in league play. Even the "lower-rung" programs have the potential to be strong. We already know how annoying ASU and Utah can be, and I would expect them to try and splash some cash to find traction. That just leaves little thought of UCF -- at the very least, that 3.5 hour plane flight will be a giant pain in the ass.  Regardless of how you look at it, it'll be hard to bank wins against this group, year-in, year-out. 

So, what does Colorado need to do to maintain their place amongst this viper's nest, stay with the Texas Techs and West Virginias of the league, and forestall my earlier predictions of doom and a slide into the basement with ASU and Utah?  Well, it comes down to the basics: coaching, recruiting, and resources. 

First, coaching. It should come as no surprise, as rumors have been swirling, but many insiders have indicated that the Tad Boyle era could be coming to a close in the next few years, with the winningest coach in program history looking to retire. To be fair, the man has earned the rest, but, the transition to 'what comes next' will be critical.  

I referenced the quality of the 'job' in my previous article; that the national perception of Colorado as a potential coaching landing place, compared to its peers, places the Buffs solidly in the lower quarter of the league. To that end, even with what Tad has built in Boulder, I have doubts about how truly attractive this spot would be to a coach outside the immediate area. The quality and depth of in-state recruiting are still... *ahem* inconsistent, and resources afforded by the Athletic Department will always be a problem (I saw them on commercial flights last year, don't pretend). However, coaches will want to be in this newly evolved league; stay in this league. The combination of the desirability of coaching in the #1 basketball conference in the country and the ability to build on what Tad has constructed should be enough to overcome the ingrained challenges and still attract some quality candidates. It'll probably cost, though; the Athletic Department needs to plan on significant investment into the next staff if they want the program to stay competitive.

Now, I'm not going to start tossing out names (not even the one in Rhode Island), 'cause that wouldn't be fair and this industry changes quickly, but the candidates will most likely fall into three categories:

• Ones with institutional ties that can make for an "easy" transition.
• A few young up-and-comer types from a mid-major with a recent Tournament run.
• Veteran/Power Conference 'name' candidates that will garner national headlines.

I'm not really ready to make an argument one way or the other, but, for Colorado to survive in the BigXII, long-term, the final choice has to work. A miss-step here would be fatal, but that's not an argument to go with what is 'safe' (look at where that got Cal).  CU will need to splash some cash, bring in a coach ready to roll, and support them.

Because, of course, what happens with the coaching search will flow directly into recruiting. Tad and Co. have seen some major gains on this front in recent years, averaging a top-40 class in the last four cycles, including two in the top-25 (according to 247).  CU will need to maintain this pace, if not improve, to be a top-half player in the BigXII.  Basketball recruiting is weird, with transfers and international signees often being more important than incoming freshmen, so YoY swings don't necessarily mean as much as they would in, say, football. But, the overall picture needs to remain strong, which leads me to my final point...

Resources. Colorado needs to renew its investment in the program. Whether it be the hiring of a new coaching staff when Tad retires, increasing the in-season Operations budget to compete with their new peers (like, ensuring 100% chartered flights), encouraging and leveraging NIL opportunities, or supporting the program with new capital investments and upgraded facilities, the Athletic Department and the donor base will need to step up to the challenge. No excuses.

I always tend to look for inefficiencies. I'm particularly focused on ways the program can get better at leveraging NIL opportunities to maintain its recent recruiting success. Small things like including guaranteed NIL fund contributions in MLE tournament contracts are a nice start, but more needs to be done. I've been assured that Tad has grown more open to the prospects in this sphere, and that the program as a whole is beginning to take this aspect seriously, with major contributions to the B4L fund starting to trickle in, but this needs to be a priority in the years to come.

We also need to talk about facilities. Specifically, the practice facility is almost as old as the Tad Boyle era itself. That capital investment was supplemented in the intervening years with additional upgrades to the locker, sports medicine, and meeting rooms -- all very well done, btw -- but it's time for another push for significant upgrades. I understand the costly gamble being undertaken over at Folsom, and the strain that puts on the overall bottom line, but basketball facility upgrades have never come with the exhaustive price tags of their gridiron counterparts. Honestly, I'd start by looking at the arena itself.  Not a *new* arena, just upgrades. The floor was recently replaced, and the CUEC is already far better than it was in 2010, but more can be done to make it a place that players want to play in. If we're serious about competing in the BigXII, we'll need to *look* like we're serious.

At least we know that Colorado should be able to hit the ground running -- the Buffs are returning to the BigXII with a higher talent floor, better facilities, and greater stability than when they left. If I had to place a bet now, I would put it on at least the first season going well, with Colorado finishing in that coveted top-half grouping.  Where it goes from there will come down to the care and investment in continuing to grow the Colorado Basketball brand.  

If, and I mean if, Colorado can nail all three aspects -- the coaching change, staying strong in recruiting, and increasing resources into the program -- there is an opportunity here to stake a claim in the strongest basketball conference in the land. All of the non-Kansas programs will be scrambling for relevancy and have their own institutional burdens to try and work around. If CU can forge a consistent spot in the top half in that scramble, it could lead to a permanent paradigm shift in the quality of the program. Keep up the pace for the first five years or so, and you're in. There's still all to play for.

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That's Stage Three dispatched.  I'll keep Stage Four between me and my bartender.  Once Stage Five hits, I'll let you know if anything publishable comes from it.

To the Death of Fun

So. Back to the Big XII. 

You may be taken aback -- Isn't moving to the BigXII a good thing?  Isn't jumping off the plummeting Pac-12 jet a good thing?  Why am I so butt-hurt about this? 

I look at it in two separate calculations. First, bailing on the Pac-12. I could talk about path to the College Football Playoff and the future potential of streaming over linear, but I'm not here to re-litigate that. The financials are undeniable, and the writing was on the wall. However, I would dispute that CU's situation would've dramatically changed having actually *waited* to see the final media rights proposal from Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff. Then, Colorado could've acted in concert with additional members of the current Pac-12, potentially leveraging bargaining power and building some options beyond, "Well, let's just go on back to our Ex."  Ultimately, Colorado held a lot of good cards in this situation; in my opinion, they just rushed to play them favoring a sure thing over the best long-term result. We threw away our conference loyalty 12 years ago, why not just do it again?

Second, why am I so damn disgusted by the prospect of heading back to the old stomping grounds? 'Cause the BigXII is what was. This move is, by definition, a step backward in history, prestige, and, in a number of ways, the level of competition (except on the men's hardwood... more on that in a second).  It takes us away from our largest out-of-state Alumni base and probably dooms us to a 2nd-tier football league in an era where only the 1st-tier will matter.  

What's more, we're heading back to a league where we will be, just as we were in the Pac-12, rival-less and set off to the side. This isn't the BigXII of 2010. No Nebraska, no Oklahoma, no Mizzou, no Texas, and no A&M. Now that the dust has settled, the resulting conference with BYU/Utah, 'Zona/ASU, KU/KSU, Cincy/WVU, and four Texas schools, who have their own thing going, leaves the remaining four randos (Colorado included) twiddling their thumbs. If you didn't like it in the Pac-12, why would a forced rivalry with, I don't know, Ok State (?) suddenly get your fancy?

But, what *really* gets my goat is the situation with the men's basketball program.  Everything Tad has built -- all the good, competitive vibes constructed over the last decade-plus -- is about to wither and die on the vine.

In case you have no idea, the BigXII, for some time, has been the deepest basketball conference in the country. It is, by leaps and bounds, stronger than the version Colorado left in 2011. Up through last season, 9 of the 10 programs could boast a deep and rich basketball tradition, Baylor and Kansas had claimed frickin' national titles in recent years, and the league had finished 1st or 2nd in KenPom each of the last 10 seasons (Over that same span, the Pac-12 averaged a 5th-place finish, sometimes finishing behind mid-major leagues). Even taking Oklahoma and Texas out of the equation, the league is replacing them with Houston (a historic regional basketball power) and Cincinnati (same).  Sure, UCF is more-or-less a dud, but BYU has been a nasty mid-major with a high upside for decades and will fit in well. Add Arizona and Utah to that mix, and this is the basketball conference of basketball conferences. A goddamn monster. Even with UCLA and USC joining the B1G, the new BigXII would stand apart, in my opinion.

Colorado, stepping into that viper's nest, is D.O.A.

Looking back on 2010-11, the combination of a good new coach and a solid veteran core helped propel Colorado on a relatively successful final BigXII campaign. From there, the Pac-12's lack of true basketball depth helped Colorado surge over the past decade, forging solid footing to become a competitive program that could hold its head high amongst rivals. Reliably upper-middle of the pack, capable of punching above their weight and making the postseason almost every year. While maybe not a 'power,' it was a program worth following for the broader fanbase. Often entertaining, it boasted good players of high character, engaged in narrative-rich fights with rival programs, and occasionally blipped onto the national spotlight. 

That level of consistent relevancy is something that hadn't been achieved over Colorado's previous four decades of play in the old Big 8/BigXII. In this newly re-designed BigXII, it'll only be worse. The second the paperwork was signed, CU immediately became the 10th-best job (depending on your view of BYU and TCU) in the conference, really only clearly more desirable than UCF.  Arizona and Utah joining the league would drop that rating down further. 12th or 13th in a 16-team jumble. Irrelevant.

Yes, I know Tad has had some nice and optimistic things to say. The KU grad may even be able to bottle up some 2010-11 magic and score some knockouts against the midwestern behemoths in his final years. Sure, maybe we'll find a way to shock the world and finish 8th for a few years, or something.  Maybe beat Arizona at home, like we've been doing.

But then, Tad will retire. Then, an Athletic Department which has never really cared about the program will be tasked with finding and supporting a replacement. Very quickly, and I mean *quickly*, this program will return to what it once was: a dusty doormat in a league where everyone else takes the sport seriously.  The funding dries up, the facilities fade, and the recruits go elsewhere. Endgame.

Now, I am a basketball fan. More than that, I am a Colorado Basketball fan. This matters to me, even if it doesn't to you. This informs my decision-making, the same as the football part may inform yours.  The death of Colorado Basketball as a competitive concern is a mortal strike against my soul.

That is why I'm pissed about this bullshit. Pissed at Mike Bohn and USC. Pissed at UCLA for going along with it. Pissed at FOX and the B1G for orchestrating it. Pissed at Colorado for jumping at the "opportunity." Pissed at everyone for smiling and patting each other on the back for turning a plate of bird shit into a plate of dog shit.

You may not care, but I'll still be there, with a handful of diehards, watching the program I love be put to the torch by Kansas, Baylor, and Arizona. And what we enjoyed over the last decade-plus will be resigned to a forgotten footnote while everyone panics over who the next football coach will be -- as it ever was.

Damn this all.

2016 Alamo Bowl Preview - CU vs Oklahoma State

Bowl games are stupid.  I know that's probably not the message you wanted to receive, here on the eve of Colorado's first bowl game in nearly a decade, but it's true.  Bowls are, in all but a few cases, pointless, corporate money grabs of the lowest order, and sporting culture is all the worse for having to put up with them over the final weeks of the year.

Sure, there is some value to having marquee events, like the Rose Bowl or the Orange Bowl, at the end of the calendar.  Occasional exhibitions between champions, like these, held out of tradition and as a showcase of football at its finest, are be fine.  I could do without it, but to each their own. The system as is currently in place, however, blows past them to instill an 'everyone gets a trophy` mentality to the sport, where even teams that go 5-7 are rewarded. There is simply no excuse for the 8th-best team from one conference to be playing the 7th-best team from another with absolutely nothing on the line.  It's pure filler -- a desperate attempt to grab some of your hard-earned cash, either through your eyes on a tire commercial or you actually traveling to the event.  I actually feel bad for the handful of fans who would allow themselves to be duped into something as foolish as the 'Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.' (I use this example for no particular reason)

"But, it's more football!' you might be saying.  My response to that is simple:

The lure of 'more football,' such as it is, is wasted here.  I can get myself to care about Colorado football, and I can even trick myself into paying attention to truly meaningful games with inherent history, but detritus like the 'Motel 6 Cactus Bowl' or the 'Dollar General Bowl' can't even come close to drawing my eye.

My appeal, then, is simple: end the bowl system.  Expand the playoffs, turn the worthwhile remainder into some kind of NIT or 'champions league,' and punt the rest into the sun.  ESPN will just have to go through life without the sunk costs of 20-or-so backwater bowls no one will miss anyway.

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Hype Music for the Week: 'China Grove' by the Doobie Brothers

My first thought for this game was to go with a country track, but that just ain't me.  Thankfully, the Doobie Brothers wrote this iconic 70s rock anthem about a tiny suburb east of San Antonio.  It features one of the best guitar riffs of all time, built around some jumbled lyrics about preachers and sheriffs with samurai swords.  Enjoy!

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So, after all that ranting and raving about how awful bowl games are, you'd think I'd be avoiding this one like the plague.  Well, you'd be wrong.  I actually am going to the Alamo Bowl, at great personal expense, but do not consider my trip hypocritical.  Colorado appearing in a bowl, a semi-worthwhile one, at that, is like seeing a unicorn.  You can't expect me to miss an opportunity to see a unicorn. When the draw is the Sun Bowl next winter, that's when I'll stay home.

For what it's worth, much of BuffNation seems to agree with me that a trip down to southern Texas is a good idea.  Based on ticket sales through the Athletic Department alone, at least 6,000 CU fans will be hitting the highways and airports en route to San Antonio this week, with even more expected who source their tickets through non-traditional methods.  Should be a big group of Buffs down on the Riverwalk tonight and tomorrow.

For the game itself, kickoff from the Alamodome is set for 7pm MT on Thursday.  Those not headed to San Antonio can catch the action on ESPN prime.  Mark Johnson and the radio call will be on 850 KOA.


Click below for the preview...

Tuesday Grab Bag: The Pac-12 moves to curtail court-storming

Cleaning out their inbox, the Pac-12 went ahead and announced a few minor end-of-year tidbits this morning.  Of primary note was the reduction of night football starts (by as many as four dates), and the institution of a fines schedule for court/field storming.

The reduction in night football kickoffs makes sense.  Nearly everyone in the conference complained last year as, weekly, the Pac-12 would be the last conference ticking on any given Saturday night. Fines for court-storming, however, strikes me as a solid defeat for Fun in its everlong struggle against the forces of the aged and the entitled.  This, no doubt, stems from Arizona's Sean Miller going on the whinge after getting beat and rushed in Boulder last February (and I assume your reaction to said incident almost comes down to whether you wear red and navy on a regular basis).  I get that the conference is under some obligation to kowtow to the league bigwigs -- they generate the most revenue, afterall -- but to just roll over on this issue for one or two schools seems two-faced.

The Pac-12 now hates Fun, because Sean Miller told them to.  From: the BDC

'But, what about player safety,' you say?  Please; I will assert this until the day I die, Miller's concern trolling over the scene in Boulder has much more to do with him being butt-hurt over a loss than any real concern for the safety of his players. Were he really that concerned, he would've, you know, actually tried to help usher his charges off the floor, rather than stare (quite dumbly) at the students jumping for joy in front of him... but I digress.

The long and short of it is that college conferences leverage court- and field-rushing for quality promotional material, and their television partners glorify the scenes by conducting on-court, post-game shots.  For them to turn around and say, 'shame on the schools' for letting these beautiful moments of student exuberance go down is hypocritical.

Also, Sean Miller can blow it out his ass.

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Today in the bag, I'm talking the Webb thing, looking at the NBA playoffs, and chortling at the notion of little brother to the BigXII.

Click below for the bag...

2015-16 CU vs Iowa State Basketball Teaser

It's finally here!  Basketball.  Real damn basketball.  The summer's been so long, and the fall so very, very dull.  The glories of the hoops season have come none too soon.  Thank you, basketball gods, for these gifts we are about to receive.

The Buffs, in all their wisdom, have decided to begin the 2015-16 campaign tomorrow afternoon at the luxurious (?) Sanford Pentagon in beautiful (?) Sioux Falls, SD.  Why?  Because that's where the Iowa State Cyclones will be.  The things you do for an RPI boost...  It's going to be a hostile environment, too, with most of the 3,250 seats taken up by those clad in ketchup red and mustard yellow. One thing's for sure: this is going to be a tough one.

Well, the team has played in weirder venues...

The old Big 8/Big XII rivals last met on the hardwood in Kansas City at the 2011 Big XII tournament. At the time, it was a game the Buffs needed to have, as they looked to solidify what appeared at the time to be an NCAA Tournament-caliber profile.  While that Selection Sunday call never did come in March of 2011, the Buffs at least took care of business against the Cyclones, mounting a desperate comeback in the final few minutes to escape with a 77-75 win.

It's real fun to look back at this box score and see names like Alec Burks, Cory Higgins, and Levi Knutson leading the way for the Black and Gold.  Alec, for his part, did as he was always wont to do and put up ridiculous numbers.  His 29/15/6/3 line made me break out in giddy laughter when I peered at it for the first time in years, one of a number of games from his sophomore campaign where he proved he was far too good for college basketball.  Burks played all but two minutes of the action, got to the line 14 times, and was the driving force behind every one of CU's mounted comeback attempts.  Simply incredible!  As a side note, he combined with another future NBA star - then-freshman Andre Roberson - to haul in 30 rebounds, just six less than ISU's total for the game.  Damn, that team was stacked.  How did they not get selected for the Dance, again?

Burks could not be stopped that day in Kansas City.  From: CUBuffs.com

Of course, those squads that met in KC four and a half years ago will bear little resemblance to the teams that will take the court on Friday. Not a single player on either roster remains, and there's even been a coaching change on the Iowa State bench (more on that later).  The real shift in narrative, though, is the massive up-swing in fortunes for the Cyclones. Since losing that game to CU they've gone 99-40, slingshotting into the regional hierarchy.  Just a season ago they were 25-9, stayed in the top-25 all season, finished second in their league, and won the Big XII tournament.  They were a fantastic offensive club, scoring 77.8 points per game at about an adjusted 1.16 ppp clip - a midweek must-watch every time they were in the Big XII game of the week. By all rights, it was a tremendously strong season, and one that hinted at great things to come for the program as a whole.

But, the 'Clones were stunned in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament by the UAB Blazers (thanks for ruining my bracket, dudes), and lost their coach, native son Fred Hoiberg, to the Chicago Bulls later in the summer.  Suddenly, what seemed like such a sure thing - the Cyclones in '15-'16 - began to look like a surprisingly open-ended question.

Hometown hero Hoiberg's return to the NBA threw the Cyclones for a loop. From: Bleacher Report

ISU responded quickly, though, to the departure of their 'Mayor,' inking Murray State's Steve Prohm just a week later.  Yep, that's the same Steve Prohm that went 104-29 in four years with the Racers, including that magical 31-2 run his first year in southwestern Kentucky.  They also return four starters from a year ago, including elite stretch-four Georges Niang, meaning the cupboard is far from bare.  As a result, the pollsters have been kind, voting them #7 in the preseason AP top-25 poll.  It's legit, too; the ISU will be damn good again this winter.

Georges, who could've turned pro after averaging 15/5 last season, made the interesting choice to stay for his senior year, rather than leave Ames with the stain of that loss to UAB.  The Cyclones are lucky he did, because I don't think the prognosticators would be nearly as kind to the team with him already in the professional ranks. The 6-8 senior forward from Massachusetts is, simply, the real deal on the offensive end. He can play pretty much every position (yes, even point forward), and can beat you in a number of ways. He is a difference maker, posting a 106 offensive rating, 56% true shooting rate, and 40% three point percentage in '14-'15.  He's not a selfish player, either, with his 21.9% assist rate.  He simply makes everyone around him more dangerous; a true weapon that ISU can exploit, and a leader that even his coach listens to.

Niang is an elite talent.  From: CBS Sports

But, while Niang is a fantastic player (preseason all-American, in fact), he's not a one-man team.  Frontcourt mate Jameel McKay is a major double-double threat, leading the team in rebounds and blocks a year ago, despite missing the entire month of November with eligibility issues.  He posted a top-60 block rate, and proved adept at getting whistles in the paint with the ball.  Between the two, McKay and Niang, they should average near 30 and 15 this season.  The backcourt is also strong, with the duo of junior point guard Monte Morris and senior wing Naz Long leading the way.  They both shot over 39% from deep last year, and will test CU's newfound dedication to running shooters off the perimeter.

Primarily, at least under Hoiberg, this had been a 'score first, ask defensive questions later' kind of program. Recently, however, Coach Prohm has started to sound a little like Coach Boyle when it comes to the way he wants defense to lead into that offense in this, his first season in Ames.  From their Blue Ribbon preview:

"We want to play half-court, tough, hard-nosed man-to-man.  Get in the passing lanes, good ball pressure. We want to be really tough-minded in the halfcourt.  The best way to run is to defend and rebound.  Get the ball to your point guard and go."

How well that change goes over with a team of offensive stars will go a long way to determining the timbre of their season.

The defense is lead by McKay, who is a load in the paint.  From: Grantland (moment of silence...)

For our purposes here, please note that the 'Clones have already seen the court this season: a breezy 106-60 exhibition stomping of Grand Valley State last Friday.  Unsurprisingly, against an ill-suited D-II opponent, a total of seven Cyclones finished in double-figures, including all five of their starters.  Niang and McKay combined for 24/20, and seem to be primed for the season.  It is just an exhibition, however (CU has been in two of their own; the closed-door variety), so take it all with a grain of salt.

Still, I have no reason to believe that anything the Cyclones have shown the last few years is going to dramatically down-shift under the new coaching regime.  They still have talent, the institutional memory of winning, and a hell of a fanbase at their back.  Not only will they continue to roll in 2015-16, they should also roll Friday afternoon.  Josh Scott and the Cyclone forwards will get into it a little bit early, and the teams will trade baskets for a few possessions, but I see ISU racing out of the halftime lockerroom to wrap up the win before the second to last media timeout.  ISU 76 - CU 63.

Please don't let that dire prediction ward you off from either the game on Friday or this season, however. There's a lot of basketball to be played, and just one game - on the semi-neutral road against a top-10 opponent, no less - does not a year of basketball make.  Stick with this team, they should get fun when they finally come back to Colorado for the home opener next Friday.

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Tip-off between the Buffs and the Cyclones is set for 3pm MT tomorrow afternoon. Not making the trek out to the Mount Rushmore State, and worried about where to watch? Well, if you're already going to Friday's football game, the Athletic Department has you covered.  They're going to open the doors to Balch Fieldhouse a little early to allow for a little watch party, football tickets required. Doors open at 2:45, and the concession stands will be open.  If I could get out of work, that'd be where I'd be...

For those without football tickets, televised coverage will be found on ESPN2, with the radio call on AM 760.

GO BUFFS!  PROVE ME WRONG, AND BEAT THE CYCLONES!

Tuesday Grab Bag: Same Old Buffs

It's a shortened week, which means we're straight to the action today.  In the bag, I'm wrapping the loss to Hawai'i, looking ahead to next few opponents on the schedule, and discussing the K-State Marching Band.

Click below for the bag...

UPDATED: 2013 Kansas Basketball Preview

"I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid." - Tyrion Lannister

The Kansas Jayhawks.  The gold-standard by which every Big 8/Big XII basketball team has ever been measured.  Colorado may have left the old conference affiliation behind, but it still means something to see that logo, and those fucking fans, come to town.  The pain, the suffering of being a die-hard Colorado Basketball fan was never more prevalent than those nights when CU hosted KU.  Sure, there was a chance to make a few minor headlines, but, for the most part, it was a humbling exhibition of just how far the program was from respectability.

Only driving home that point was the thousands of Jayhawk fans who would pack the CEC each and every year.  It was an exhibition for them, an opportunity to lustily cheer for their team on the cheap.  They owned the building, and they made it known.  Suddenly, those patrons who had been sleeping through games against UMES and Stetson showed up in blue and red, and rubbed it in that they were members of the chosen fanbase.  That BuffNation wasn't worthy of even witnessing their pure version of the sport.  For good measure, a few rounds of that fucking chant on their way out the door ended all doubt.

I have been (im)patiently waiting for this game since the day it was announced (BLOOD AND REVENGE!). After years of frustration and humiliation, it seemed like one last chance to slay the mythical beast before he escaped for good. To spite those fans for punking the slow kid at the back of the basketball class.  Kansas is coming back to altitude... willingly!  And we no longer suck!  Could I be so lucky?!

Now, on the eve of that game I've been waiting for, and just under 4,000 days after CU's last victory over the blue-bloods of blue-bloods, one plea dominates my mind: don't let this opportunity slip away. Don't let that team and those fans get away clean.  Last year doesn't matter, the 39-122 history of this series doesn't matter.  Just win this one, please.

I'm not saying that CU can win, or that they will win.  I'm saying they must win.  The program needs this monkey off it's back to make a national statement that this is no fluke, that this program is for real.  A win tomorrow night will define this era of growth, with CU basketball fans in futures as of yet unimagined speaking of 12/7/2013 the way CU football fans today speak of 10/25/1986.  This is a new era, a new program - it deserves a capstone.  I don't care how, get it done.

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Don't get frustrated when you see Kansas fans tomorrow.  Even with the season ticket sellout and the measures taken to stem the red and blue tide from slipping into the CEC, those assholes are still going to do their 'Jayhawk' thing and eat up seats.  A $200 after-market ticket to CU/KU at the CEC is still a cheaper  proposition for many local KU fanatics than a trip to Lawrence and a ticket to the Phog.  Still, if you have a ticket, but now don't think you can make, you better not sell it to some Jayhawk.  If you do, You might find an angry man with a pitchfork on your doorstep.  Do your duty, and sell to a Buff.

Tip-off from the CEC is set for 1:15 on Saturday.  The C-UNIT has designated this as a BLACKOUT GAME, so wear the appropriate vestments.  It may be cold outside, but gym will be warm and toasty. Coverage for those unable to find a ticket can be found on ESPN2.  Mark Johnson and the radio call are on 850 KOA.

Click below for the preview...

Quick Post: On the evolving Pac-12 Network

Work began on the future home of the Pac-12 network yesterday, with the expectation that the operation will be up and running for the fall.  It's an exciting time in a conference seemingly bent on sports-world domination.

The new secret lair... located on Third St in San Francisco.  from: Pac-12.org

The new home of Pac-12 Enterprises, who will produce both the Pac-12 Network and digital distribution content, is a symbol of what CU left the rotting corpse of the Big XII for.  In addition to more money, CU's new home offers a sense of inclusion and forward thinking that was beyond lacking when UT was running the show.  The Big XII continues to be years behind competitors in terms of distribution and market expansion.  With the Pac-12, CU is a part of the new frontier of sporting consumerism.

So, what exactly does this mean to you, the consumer?  It will be easier to follow the Buffs than ever before.

No longer will games go un-broadcast.  The Pac-12 network will be on the basic cable tier in home media markets, with every regional network available on expanded sports tiers.  While satellite provider agreements are still in the works, I have no doubt that sports friendly DirecTV will be involved. Additionally, through the philosophy of "TV everywhere," everything broadcast on the various Pac-12 networks will be available online or on your phone. 

If you want to pay for it, you will be able watch the Buffs, wherever you may roam. This point was underscored for me when I looked up my ISU live-blog from last-year.  No more blackouts!

I'm talking Scrooge McDuck money.  Straight cash, homey!

All told, the Network and digital distribution could mean an additional $15+ million per year into the Buff Treasury.  The digital media rights, along with the Pac-12 Network system, are all in addition to the $2.7-3 billion television deal signed last May.  That deal alone should bring in $15 million to CU starting this fall, with that number only going up in future years, via a built-in escalator clause.

The CU athletic department is about to be seriously rolling in the dough.  As if you didn't already know that.

The epic @DanBeebee rant

If there was joy to be found throughout the conference re-alignment kerfuffle, it emanated from the brilliance that was the @DanBeebe fake twitter account.  Day after day, from the apparently drunken ramblings in the evenings, to the miss-understanding of the direct message feature during the day, he's been a bright spot amongst the greed and backbiting of the national re-alignment discussion.

This afternoon, in response to the real life departure of the real life Dan Beebe from the Big XII, @DanBeebe went on an epic rant for the ages.  Hilarity ensued.  Holding back no punches, he hit on each of the original Big XII schools, and especially destroyed A&M and, of course, UT.

To record it for posterity, I now present, in its complete form, the (apparently) departing rant from the Fake Dan Beebe.  Enjoy.

Quick Post: Why CU is more desirable than UT or OU

I bet there's more than a few people in the Red River Valley muttering to themselves "the Pac-12 accepts Colorado and Utah into their conference, but rejects Texas and Oklahoma?  Has the world gone mad?" 

Nope, it hasn't. 

I feel it all comes down to the balance of power.  The 8-team west coast core of the conference, that has been together since the 50's, has a understanding of each other's role, a sense of who holds the power within the conference.  The fact is, with the '11 inclusion of CU and Utah, it expanded with partners who are not in any way threatening to the status quo.  There's no threat to the old balance of power. 

This would not have been the case with Texas and Oklahoma.  The power balance would've shifted, rather drastically, away from San Francisco and LA.  While the money probably would've been gargantuan, to accept in a new set of rivals, and make concessions in the process, would be to lessen the power and influence of the old guard, and that's just not how the world works. 

I bet, in the end, there were a lot more schools from the old Pac-8 crew who objected to the potential expansion scenarios than had been expected.  That, more than any howling from Bruce Benson and the CU fanbase, kept the Pac-12 from super-conference status.

Quick Post: the Pac-12 is staying the Pac-12!

The SWC hordes have retreated!  Larry Scott remains El Jeffe!  The Pac-12 is still an economical 12-Pac!

I hope the rest of Buff Nation is as jubilant as I am, because this is fantastic news.  A vote on the future of the conference tonight came down decidedly opposed to any of the varied expansion proposals that had been bandied about.  While I'm sure CU was decidedly against any expansion scenarios, I'd be interested to see who else made up the "overwhelming support" in favor of remaining a 12-team league.

While it's probably true that this is just a temporary bump on the road towards a western super-conference, it's important that the Pac-12 enter into the new era on it's terms.  If Texas, or for that matter any other school, can't come to grips with who holds the power in negotiations, then they can take a hike.  It's El Jeffe's way or the highway!

For CU, this means more time to solidify it's position and relationships within the new conference, while staying in a schedule model that includes yearly games in Los Angeles.  For the Big XII, this probably means a few more years of existence before the executioners axe falls.

Yet another Buffalo victory in the expansion wars!

Monday Grab Bag: The deed is done.

CU did what they had to Saturday afternoon.  They absorbed CSU's 1st drive haymaker, and dug in for a ugly game.  The first win of the season behind the Buffs, the focus is now on the toughest CU non-con roadtrip since Tallahassee in 2003.

But first, I'll take a look back at the RMS, the mixed bag of results, a look around the national football scene, and more conference realignment mishegas.

Click below for the bag...

Quick Post: Further Pac-whatever expansion on the horizon?!??!?

The stories out of the Red River Valley become more concerning by the hour.  OU and UT met to hash out their differences, and OU came away as committed to leaving the Big XII as ever.  Word is that OU (with little brother OSU in tow) will apply for asylum in the Pac-12 within a fortnight.

I think it goes without saying that further expansion of the Pac-12 erodes the sweet situation CU found themselves in when they originally headed west.  Now, with former Big-8 rivals begging to follow, CU's California Dreamin' may be turn back into Stillwater and Norman realities.  Yearly trips to the recruiting hotbed of Los Angeles would be in doubt, and fewer vacation-esque road trips to San Francisco and Seattle would pop up in future schedules.

This all rests on whether uber-commish Larry Scott is true to his word that he doesn't want further expansion.  If he sticks by his guns, and the Sooner duo is re-buffed, then all is well, and CU can continue to graze peacefully in the protected valley of the Pac-12.  If not, and OU and OSU end up joining the Pac-12, then the wolves will essentially have been released into the herd.

Most worrisome is this line in Wilner's column:  "The Oklahoma schools are almost certain to receive an invitation to the Pac-12 if they apply for admission. [...] Despite grumbling from Colorado and others, Scott will have the votes he needs to add the Oklahoma schools."


Don't do it, El Jeffe, (btw, I now refer to Larry Scott as El Jeffe), tell the State of Oklahoma to fuck off!

Quick Post: EDSBS knocks the history of the Big XII out the damn park

Read this.  It's the Big XII in Behind the Music form.  Read it now. [hilarity ensues]

Money quote about 62-36:

"Nebraska: I didn't know how hard it was going to be to keep it together. I mean, I was okay for a while, but that night in Boulder, man, I didn't even know how hard the drugs were hitting me until it was too late.

Kansas State: I couldn't believe it. He just looked out on his feet, dazed. He was always a little out of control, you know? But that night he peed into his amp and nearly killed himself, and that was before Colorado decided to kick his ass on the bus.

Colorado: Again, I don't remember a lot of this. I'm trying to come to all of this from a place of peace now. It's been a rough decade for both of us. I don't judge him. I hope he doesn't judge me.

Nebraska: I deserved it. It was steroids, barfighting, booze, the Solich. I lost count of everything."

EDSBS is doing God's work.

Remembering 2001

This weekend CU will rightly honor the 2001 Big XII Championship squad.  I talked about 62-36 last season, but this gives me the opportunity to discuss the season as a whole.

The champs are coming back to Boulder.  From: CUBuffs.com

I can't help but note the timing, on the day of CU's first "unofficial" game in the Pac-12, Colorado will honor a championship team from the conference it just left behind in a trail of dollar bills.  It is what it is, and I'm more than happy to take a look back at this storied team.

I experienced the 2001 Big XII title run from my home in Chicago.  As a high school senior, I was finalizing my college decision as CU began to roll through the league.  I saw all the fun to be had in Boulder, and decided in late-October that I wanted to be a part of it (that, and I got my rejection letter from Michigan).

Looking back I can't help but feel a little jealous, a little cheated that I wasn't apart of the greatest Buffs season in recent memory.  Born one year too late, I'll just have to live with memories created from afar of Chris Brown, Danny Graham, a dominating O-Line, and a battle tested defense.

Click below...

Tuesday Grab Bag: I got a fever, and the only prescription is the start of football.

With disgusting amounts of fluids flowing out of my body yesterday, I thought it best to seal myself off from the world.  While I may not be completely healthy yet, I can't stay away forever.  Good thing, 'cause there's a lot of goings on to discuss this fine morning.

Today in the bag I'll discuss the seemingly imminent move by A&M to the SEC that still hasn't happened, the eerily positive Buffs camp, and a gentle giant punching his ticket to the hall of fame.

Click below for today's bag...

Monday Grab Bag: All dressed up and no one to dance with

Bubbles are made to burst.  Some teams, deserving as they might be, are always going to be left on the sidelines; it's the nature of selection.  Someone has to be picked over someone else; it sucks, but that's how it is.  Obviously, there is a powerful argument to be made for CU's exclusion; they were on the bubble for a reason, afterall.

All of those reasoned, half-hearted excuses aside, CU got jobbed.  Today in the bag I'll discuss missing out on the Tournament in much greater detail.  I'll pine around for scapegoats, and emotionally lash out a bit.  There is some lingering good news from Buff Nation, but I'll mostly be talking basketball.

If you're looking for spring football discussion, go somewhere else.  I'm in mourning, people.

Click below for this edition of the bag

Quick-Post: Big 8 Family Portrait

The always entertaining "Every Day Should be Saturday" blog gives us this link today.  It leads to cool piece on Uniwatch full of awesome 1969 anthropomorphic renderings of college football mascots.  These being from the 1969, CU is included in the "Big 8" picture. 

It's fun to see this sort of thing, especially in the light of the conference switch.  We've been associated with the other 7 teams in the postcard for over 50 years, and us leaving is "breaking up the family."  I'm not saying I'm going to miss them, I'm just saying that its a little hard to see all the history with those schools end.

I realize I'm no where near as creative or funny as the guys at EDSBS, but, after spending an inordinate amount of time looking at the portrait, I've decided that this is a good interpretation of the renderings:

CU:  The tough, noble Buffalo is pissed off because the others "harshed my buzz, dude."  As a result he's headed west where people "totally get it, man."

Iowa State: It looks to me as if the bird is about to cry.  No one cares about him, and no one ever will.  "Won't someone pay attention to me, please?  I swear I'll never cause a fuss, just include me and I'll be happy."

Kansas:  The circus chicken is obviously on cocaine experimenting with cocaine and meth to pass the dreary months until basketball season.  He's also thinking of murdering the Tiger "John Brown-style" as an act of revenge. 

Kansas State:  The Wildcat definitely looks mentally challenged.  Considering the low admission standards in Manhattan, I'm not surprised that they would let a retarded wild animal in. 

Missouri: The Tiger is pissed off at the world, and no one knows why.  He claims it's about getting consistently "cheated" out of football games; something about a kicked ball and an extra down.  As a result he's grabbed his football and is going home.

Nebraska: The look of utter befuddlement is perfect.  Not only can you tell that the husker is an in-bred dolt, but an abnormally dumb one at that.  He's also nervously looking at the Buffalo, knowing that in 32 years that Buffalo will gore the shit out of him.  He's trying way too hard to remain focused on the Sooner, resulting in his cross-eyed look, but knows deep down in his heart that the Buffalo is his true rival.  I'm also worried about what he's about to do with that ear of corn...

Oklahoma: Oblivious to the stupid hick on his left, the mostly racist and historically incorrect version of the Sooner is staring longingly at the SWC family portrait, waiting for the day when UT will come to save it from the hell of having to play with the Husker every year.  He's absolutely unconcerned about the "Seven Dwarfs" surrounding him.

Oklahoma State:  Is constantly looking at the disinterested Sooner for approval.  Like an annoying terrier returning a tennis ball.  "I did good, right?  Hey watch this, I can do it even better this time.  Hey, come on, you're not even watching!"

Goodbye to the Big XII

I'm writing this now, rather than in early March when the basketball season ends, because, to be honest, the conference was created as a football conference.  With the final Big XII football game CU will ever play in going down Friday afternoon, this is certainly a more appropriate time to eulogize our time here.  At first, I was really pumped up for this post.  After 9 years of traveling to literally every backwater town the conference has to offer, I figured I'd have something poignant to say about leaving the Big XII.  I realized last night at 1AM that I don't.  In all reality, I won't really miss the Big XII; in fact, I'm very happy that I'll never see most of the schools ever again.

Sure, I'm going to miss the yearly Nebraska kerfuffle, I have some great memories from my trips to Dallas for the basketball tournament, and UT has a soft spot in my heart for being located in one of the few hospitable places the conference has to offer.  But, outside of that, there really isn't too much to miss from a conference of fly-over states.

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A little history

While the Big XII is not dying (even though it is) the Big 8 is now officially dead.  It had lived on for 14 years as a meaty blob within a super-sized Texas husk; but now, with the departure of CU and Nebraska for greener pastures, the Big 8 is no more.  CU first became affiliated with many of their current conference brothers in 1948 when it left the Mountain States Conference (where we were confederates with little brother CSU and then, and future, big-time rival Utah) for what was at the time called the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association or the "Big 7."  The Big 7 at that time was made up of CU, Iowa St, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and K-State.  That's right, we've been associated with those schools for 62 years.  Oklahoma State re-joined the MVIAA in 1958 to become the "Big 8", and the league officially adopted the name in 1964.  The conference stayed the same for 30 years and in that time we won, or shared, 5 conference titles and, of course, won that national title of ours.  We were even one of the first schools to really challenge Oklahoma in the conference during the time that the Big 8 was known as "Oklahoma and the Seven Dwarfs." 

(Coach Eddie Crowder and the late-60's Buffs began to stand up to powerful Oklahoma.  From: the post)

In 1994, when it became apparent that the Southwest Conference would die a quick, yet painful, death, the Big 8 schools decided to throw their lot in with 4 schools from Texas to create the Big XII as we know it today.  The conference kicked off in 1996.  During the Big XII era we won the conference once and appeared in 4 title games over a period of 5 years.  In all sports, the Buffs have won a respectable 27 conference titles, second most in the North (behind "you-know-who"), even though we don't compete in as many sports as the other 11 schools.

(The highpoint of our stay in the Big XII)

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A little perspective

I grew up in Big 10(11) land and only cared about CU from an outsiders perspective (although I was a fan). I don't even specifically remember the Big 8, having mostly experienced CU football in non-conference play prior to the Big XII years.  Maybe that's why I feel no larger attachment to the Big 8 schools. However, it is sad to see over 60 years of competitive relationships die.  For nothing but history's sake it's sad to move on.  But, if that's the only problem with moving to the Pac-12, then there's no problem at all.  You can never be held back by reminiscing.  The passage of time and the changes we make are what's good about life.  Think about how exciting it is to have opponents like Oregon and USC coming to Boulder; the excitement of next year is infinitely greater than had it been just another year in the Big XII.

But this isn't just change for change sake, we need to move on.  Those 4 Texas schools the Big 8 absorbed in 1996 have come to dominate the conference.  UT and A&M alone have more conference titles in all sports than the North, and the overall tally is South 269 to North 141.  Why did this happen?  Because CU, along with Nebraska, formed the backbone of strength in the North Division, and we haven't held up our end of the bargain.  I don't think we really should've been expected to in any sport other than football, but even there we've faltered.  Over the past 7 years both CU and Nebraska have endured a down-grade in football.  Since football is the only sport anyone cares about, this down-grade has permanently eroded the 2-division championship structure (which is why I'm against the championship format); and that's how we got to where we are with the dissolution of 60+ years of history.

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A little conclusion

Eulogizing our time in the Big XII would be pointless without talking about our future in the Pac-12.  CU now moves on to a conference where it's not expected to carry the load it was expected to carry in the Big XII North.  USC, UCLA, and the Arizona's will do the heavy lifting the Pac-12 South needs to keep the conference balanced, and any gains CU makes will only create more competition in all sports.  If anything, we're located in a center of power with UCLA and it's over 100 national titles under it's belt.  Financially, competitively, academically, and environmentally we're headed for a better situation.  In addition, those November road trips to the barren wasteland that is the Great Plains are being replaced by trips to the California sunshine.  So, really, after it's all said and done, are you really going to miss KU, KSU, ISU, MU, OU, and OSU all that much?  I'm not.

CU calls Big XII's bluff and the the Big XII folds

CU will start play in the Pac-12 next year, and ends up paying a lot less than previously thought to do so. CU will only have to forfeit $6.863 million of this years estimated $9.135 Big XII payout to head west a year early. This is an incredible win for the athletic department. Not only do we get to move west on the timetable we desire (the Big XII and Pac-12 too, btw), but we end up only giving up a relative pittance to do so.

(WOOOOO! 12-PAC! -link)

Think back to the day the conference switch was announced. Soon after the announcement, UT and its 4 little brothers decided to stick with the Big XII and immediately started up the PR machine to say that we'd have to pay $40bajillionzillion to leave the conference. "The financial hammer is falling and CU can't even afford to fire it's coach" the "orangebloods" scoffed. When UT returned to earth, and realized that CU leaving in 2011 is the best option for everybody, they "authorized" the Big XII to begin negotiations with a forfeiture of $15mil. For almost 2 months CU called their bluff.

There was Mike Bohn bemoaning to the Daily Camera that we will probably have to stay (awwww shucks). There was Pac-10(12) commissioner Larry Scott flippantly observing that the chances of CU heading west in 2011 as less than 50/50 (Oh noes! Woe is us). They created a lose-lose situation for the Big XII. Either we stayed an extra year, which they certainly didn't want, or they let us off the financial hook. All-the-while Chancellor DiStefano worked the back rooms to whittle that $15 million down. Even though CU would've settled for $9mil, DiStefano kept hammering away and got the final forefeiture under $7mil. The Big XII caved, for all intents and purposes, and CU won. As opposed to Nebraska, who had an "academic curiosity" to see if they could get their forfeiture down to zero, CU knew they'd have to give up something; but to end up giving up over $2mil less than your lowest acceptable figure is an incredible win.

Added in is the fact that CU will receive a loan from the Pac-12 to cover the forfeited revenues, so the loss in revenues won't cause CU to make it up using state funds or any other nonsense. Over the next few year we will have to pay that money off, obviously, but it'll be paid out of significantly higher revenues. While we were expecting $9.135 from the Big XII this year, in the Pac-12 we could see double that after you factor in a new television contract, equal revenue sharing, and the new Pac-12 championship game. The $6.863mil loan will be a drop in the bucket spread over the next few years: hell, CU is already reporting a 400% increase in donations from the state of California. I can't believe how good this turned out, and neither can the Regents:

"Very pleased," Steve Bosley said. "You have to be realistic. You always go into a deal saying, 'What's the worst? What's the most?' . . . I don't think we anticipated it to be quite this low. I was prepared for a little bit more." (-link)

The AD staff has done a great job. Unlike other schools (*cough* BAYLOR *cough*) we've handled the changing landscape of college football with style, professionalism, and class. We can be proud of the way our institution worked the situation to our favor, and kept us relevant for years to come. Kudos all around!

On a side note: what about the estimated $2mil (after television money is factored in) from the Ohio St game next year? Wasn't that supposed to go towards the Big XII exit? That's what I thought too, but since the Pac-12 is covering that for us, we can use that money elsewhere if we'd wish. Hrmmmm.... what else costs about $2mil.... DAN HAWKINS CONTRACT BUYOUT!!!!! So from now on, I shall refer to next years trip to OSU as the Mike Bohn Memorial Fire Dan Hawkins Road Trip (sponsored by Cinch Jeans).