Tuesday Grab Bag: RIP, Rowdy

Yesterday, the Athletic Department confirmed the passing of CU's beloved Ralphie IV.  Mascot, revered icon, noble beast; "Rowdy" (her given name) was the embodiment of the Colorado spirit over her 10-year career, having led the football team onto the field in more than 75 contests. She was there when the 2001 team won the Big XII title, there when the 2006 team went to Georgia, and there when the 2007 team stunned #3 Oklahoma.  Overall, she appeared in six bowl games and four Big XII championships.

We'll miss you, Rowdy.  From: 9 News

Big, powerful, rumbling, her running style was distinctly different from the sprinting act of her successor, Ralphie V ("Blackout").  Indeed, it befit the older era of plodding three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust football that she starred in.  She was the buffalo I played for at CU, and, despite the near-decade that has passed since her retirement in 2008, the one I still think of when I imagine 'Ralphie.'

Having lived a long life for a bison, nearly 20 years, Rowdy's death does not come as a surprise, but it is nonetheless a sad moment.  RIP, Rowdy.  Enjoy running with the great herd in the sky.

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Today in an abbreviated bag, I'm talking the season-ender in Orlando, and the Colorado Women with their own NIT push.

Click below for the bag...

2017 NIT: CU vs UCF Basketball Teaser -- Password is Tacko

It's been a while since Colorado was last in the NIT.  Some six years and (for yours truly) 950-ish posts ago, the Buffs of Alec Burks and Cory Higgins played Alabama in Madison Square Garden as part of the 2011 NIT semifinals. That day was bitterly painful for the small cabal of CU fans who, even back then, cared deeply about this program.  In a flash of a baseline drive from 'Bama's Trevor Releford and a missed jumper from the aforementioned Burks, about 19 seconds in total, an improbable season was over, and the Buffs were resigned to a 62-61 defeat.

The last vision of Colorado in the NIT was a painful one.  From: the AP

You have to remember that I didn't know the run of success that lay ahead, and that it would all get much better over the next five years, but I was broken-hearted that afternoon.  That team was, to that point, the closest I had ever seen Colorado Basketball get to being a 'winner,' and to have it all peter out, first with a NCAA snub, then with a last-second defeat in the NIT, seemed like an affirmation that Colorado hoops would always be an also-ran.  How wrong I was.

If some of you, especially those who may have been too young to remember 'the before times,' are missing an answer to why this tournament is still important, just look back to that season.  Even though Colorado missed out on the Dance, even though they didn't win in New York City, just getting there was a momentous step in the modern history of this program.  It was the launching pad for the 2012 rocket blasting into a league championship and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  It was the true birth of the swagger and the pride of Colorado Basketball.  That NIT run meant something to those of us who got to latch on and experience it first hand -- to look past the opportunity the NIT can be is to look past all the joy of the last five years.

The 2011 NIT means a lot for this program. From: the BDC

With that said, I'd be hard pressed not to acknowledge the differences between 2011 and 2017.  First, that 2011 group was loaded with hungry talent, not to mention three players who would go on to see the NBA.  They got to play three games in that tournament at home, and deserved each and every one of them.  While I cannot say yet with certainty how many currently in uniform will wind up at the next level, the '11 team was a more capable squad from top-to-bottom; they were a special, special offensive club.  Additionally, everyone that year, from fans on to the team, saw making the NIT as an accomplishment and a chance to shine, even with the disappointment of the Committee leaving them off the board.  That is, decidedly, not the case this spring.  You have to care about being in the NIT to succeed.  That 2011 team certainly did.  This year's squad?  I have my doubts.

But, enough jabber, on to the crux of the matter: UCF.  The fourth place finishers in the AAC this year, the Knights were winners of 21 games and are unquestionably a solid, tough basketball team. Looking at their resume, I don't see a whole lot of hiccups (though the home loss to Penn isn't anything to brag about).  Their problem this season was an overall soft schedule (even with a date against Villanova, the Knights were 329th in non-conference scheduling) and missed opportunities in league play.  Really, outside of home wins over Cincinnati and Houston, they swung and missed against every big team they played.  Indeed, should they beat CU this afternoon, it'd make for their third-best win of the season.

Coach Dawkins swapped coasts over the summer.  From: UCFKnights.com

The Knights are led by an old friend -- Johnny Dawkins.  You will probably remember Coach Dawkins from his days on the Stanford sideline, solemnly guiding the Cardinal to disappointing result after disappointing result.  Really, he's at home in the environment of the NIT, as accustomed to the secondary bracket as a chicken in a coop.  His Trees made the NIT four times in eight seasons, as compared to just one Tournament appearance, winning the damn thing twice.  Coach Boyle, however, knows a trick or two about how to go about beating Dawkins' teams.  After losing to the Cardinal twice in 2012, he never fell under Johnny's heel again, winning the last five meetings before Dawkins was fired a year ago. Though the personnel at his disposal is decidedly different from when he was on the Left Coast, I'm sure Coach Dawkins was far from pleased to see the name 'Colorado' turn over next to his on Selection Sunday.

Johnny has an interesting roster to work with in Orlando, though.  The obvious standout, mostly because he literally stands out above the crowd, is sophomore center Tacko Fall.  The 7-6 (that's not a miss-print), 290 lbs Senegalese baller is as unique a challenge as you'll find in the game today.  In the mold of Sim Bhullar and Mamadou N'Diaye of recent fame, he towers over the paint, almost blocking out the rim from the sight of would-be attackers.  It's no wonder, then, that the Knights are #1 in the country in two-point shot percentage defense, allowing under 40% inside the arc.  What was once a good shot, anything near the rim, becomes a dicey proposition with Fall, the AAC's Defensive Player of the Year, lurking to block or otherwise affect even the closest of looks.  Opponents are even under 50% at the rim itself.  Colorado will need to find an answer to this conundrum -- moving the ball, getting out in transition, and hitting outside jumpers.

Dude's tall, what else can I say?  From: the AP

Past just deterring shots, however, Fall also excels offensively.  He's in the top-three nationally in eFG%, and top-five in offensive rebound rate.  Overall, he shoots 72% from the field, and I honestly have no idea how you go about guarding him.  You can't really front him, he's just too tall.  You can try to keep him from grabbing position down low, but he has arms for days and can close space to the rim in an instant just by reaching out.  Wes Gordon will have his hands full.  To that end, the Buffs have been getting creative, handing redshirting freshman Dallas Walson padded sticks in practice to simulate the reach of Fall.  Other teams have tried similar things in the past, with, most notably, the Silver Swords of Chaminade sticking a manager on a folding chair in practices leading up to their famous tussle with Virginia and 7-4 Ralph Sampson in 1982.  When playing someone as abnormal as a 7-6 center, your thinking has to be just as abnormal. Luckily, Tacko isn't on the court all the time, averaging just 26 minutes per, but when he is, CU will have to look outside the box; literally and figuratively.

Fall, however, isn't the only dangerous piece on the Knights. Guards BJ Taylor and Matt Williams combine for 32 points per game, and can be deadly.  The senior Williams, especially, rarely leaves the court, and is an outstanding shooter.  He took 292 three-point attempts this season, canning 38% of them. Colorado needs to run him off the line and keep him from getting hot.  Elsewhere, Tank Efianayi is an interesting veteran wing capable of playing inside-outside.  He combines well with AJ Davis and Nick Banyard up front.

Williams is an electric outside threat.  From: the Orlando Sentinel 

Overall, a solid team.  They can be elite defensively, especially as teams wrestle with their helping of Tacko in the paint.  I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado struggles offensively, unless they start nailing outside shots.  Defensively, however, I think the Buffs can find some room for success.  UCF is far from a strong offensive club, and can really get shut down by anyone that is willing to put in the work.  That's where the buy-in from CU comes in.  If they have bought into the purpose of this tournament, they should be alright and eventually find themselves in a position to steal the win in Orlando.  If not, however, the proceedings could get very ugly.  My guess is that, with four seniors and none of the post-season distractions of two years ago, a focused bunch of Buffaloes will show up. With that in mind, and with a healthy dose of heart behind my pick, I'll take Colorado to advance in an ugly one.

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Tip-off from CFE Arena in Orlando, FL is set for 5pm MT Wednesday.  Coverage can be found via internet stream on ESPN3 (aka: WatchESPN), with the radio call... unknown at this time.  Is Mark Johnson still available, or did he bail on this season?  Anyway, stick with the stream, it may be your only shot at following this one.


GO BUFFS!  PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE KNIGHTS!

Tuesday Grab Bag: Season ain't over, yet!

Back from Vegas, and somehow I lost two hours in my day. Wait, what time is it again? ... Without further adieu, straight to the action.

Today in the bag, I'm talking the Pac-12 final in Las Vegas (along with my All-Tournament team), the Buffs in the NIT, and women's lacrosse.

Click below for the bag...

Alabama wrap

And just like that it was over.

The best CU team in decades was unable to nurse a 1-point lead across the last 16 seconds of the game, allowing a simple baseline drive to score an easy lay-up before having a last-second shot from star guard Alec Burks clang off the back of the rim.  62-61.  1 Goddamn point.  Season over, and 5 (probably 6) careers over in a matter of seconds.  It's gut-wrenching.  Unlike many other sports, basketball, with its emphasis on tournament play, sees its seasons routinely end in deafening silence.  It's a cruel way for a season to end, but I guess that's just the way it is.

Releford was able to get to the rim in the final seconds, and CU wasn't.  From: the Post

As a fan I want to be frustrated with the final sequence: the poor defense on the final Alabama inbounds play, and the lack-luster "Burks final seconds clear-out play" which never seemed to work during the season.  However, I can't get over the fact that the Buffs had to continually fight just to stay in reach of a team who seemed continually ready to run away and hide.

Alabama shot an incredible 50% for the game, and the Buffs seemed incapable of stopping the Tides interior play.  Star 'Bama forward JaMychal Green had 22 points in only 26 minutes as he was limited by foul trouble, and the Tide combined for a 42-16 points-in-the-paint edge.  True to form, Alabama forced 16 turnovers (+5) and grabbed 11 steals, even without using their press for most of the game.  Combine that turnover advantage with a slight rebounding edge (+1), and Alabama looks very rosy on the stat sheet.  Had Alabama not been an abysmal 4-11 at the free throw line, I don't know how CU would've been able to even have the chance they had in the waning seconds.

CU couldn't stop Alabama inside, and it was the Tide who wound up celebrating Tuesday evening.  From: al.com

And yet, the Buffs seemed to always have an answer in the second half.  After a lack-luster first frame, which saw the team shoot under 30% from 3 en route to a 6 point half-time deficit (which I thought was closer than the first half appeared), CU came out in the second half and began to build and even hold leads against Alabama. Even when the Tide went on a painful 8-0 run to re-take a 3 point lead with just over 3 minutes to go, the Buffs were still able to scratch and claw their way back into the lead.  But it just wasn't to be.

The offensive headlines for the Buffs have to go to Alec Burks, who, in all likelihood, ended his CU career with another 20 point effort in addition to his 6 boards and 4 steals. Seniors Levi Knutson and Cory Higgins also came up big.  The former providing 11 of his 14 points in the second half to spur the Buffs comeback bid, while the latter chipped in 13 points to tie Richard Roby for the all-time CU scoring lead.  I was also impressed by the precious few minutes chipped in by injured point guard Nate Tomlinson.  Fighting through the pain left over from his shoulder separation suffered last week, he spurred the Buffs to an immediate 8-0 run the first time he stepped onto the court, and the offense looked efficient and crisp when he jumped back into the game after halftime.  Had he been able to play his normal compliment of minutes, I bet CU would've won.

Another big night from Al on a big stage, but he and the Buffs came up one shot short.  From: the Post

It's a shame this season has to end.  This was an extremely enjoyable team to watch.  They did themselves and their university proud the way they never said die, and routinely came back from deficits and stings of poor play to somehow continue to meet and exceed expectations.  The story of the season may very well boil down to close but not quite, but that doesn't mean the ride wasn't fun.  In the coming weeks I'll be eulogizing the season in more detail, but for now I'll simply say thanks to the team for kicking as much ass as possible throughout the year, and thanks to everyone who found their way to my quiet corner of the interwebs.

GO BUFFS!

NIT Semi-Final Preview: Alabama

Colorado against Alabama is a matchup that you would usually expect to see on the gridiron; in fact CU has never faced Alabama on the hardwood.  I don't mean to demean either program, but both schools are known more for their football prowess, which may be part of the reason that 2 deserving squads find themselves in the NIT semi-finals rather than the NCAA Tournament.

Traditionally a matchup native to football fields, CU and Alabama find themselves on one of the most hallowed basketball courts in the land this evening.

The Crimson Tide come into tonight's contest having brushed aside their 3 opponents in the NIT.  Like CU, they never had to leave their home campus as they were awarded a #1 seed, and as a result were barely pushed as they won each game by an average of 15 points. All told through the home stretch of their NIT schedule, they've forced over 16 turnovers a game and held their opponents under 40% shooting. They're playing excellent basketball at the right time, and will prove to be the best non-Big XII team that the Buffs will have played all season.

Much like the Tide, the Buffs played great basketball in a 3-game home stretch to start the tournament.  Handling the likes of Texas Southern, Cal, and Kent St to the tune of over 11 points per game, the Buffs gave the large home crowds a pretty good show.  Now that their heads and hearts are past the disappointment of Selection Sunday, the Buffs have only committed 13 turnovers in the past two games, going long stretches of games playing near-flawless offensive basketball.

Coach Boyle has his Buffs playing great basketball at the perfect time.  From: the BDC

Being the first entrant to secure their trip to NYC has its privileges.  Not only have the Buffs had an extra day of rest, which was sorely needed after most of the team came down with the flu prior to the Kent St game, but they were able to secure posh training accommodations at the New York Athletic Club and are staying at the sparkling Marriott Marquis in Times Square.  They're living large right now, which is befitting of the first Buff team in 20 years to have themselves in a position to win a title of any sort.  Hopefully the trappings of living a New York lifestyle for 2 days wont throw the Buffs off, because they'll need to bring their best game to the court if they hope to beat Alabama.

Cory and the Buffs have been treated to some of the best NYC has to offer, now its time to go to work.  From: the BDC

There's a certain danger in approaching a final four of any sort.  It's perceived as an accomplishment just making a semi-finals, yet there still stands two games between you and a title.  The Buffs have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in school history, but, as of yet, their team accomplishments remain relatively minor in scope.  A finish involving anything less than an NIT title is undeserving for this highly-enjoyable squad.  But, before we can think about that, it's all about the Crimson Tide.

The winners of the SEC West will be an incredibly tough challenge for CU, and I'll say it right now: the winner of this game will go on to win the NIT title Thursday evening.  Tip-off is set for 7pm at the world-famous Madison Square Garden, and the game can be seen on ESPN2 if you, like me, couldn't convince the boss to let you have 4 days off on short notice.

The home of the Knicks is, if only for an evening, the home of the Buffs.

Bright lights and the big city; no matter the venue let's keep it rolling Buffs!

Click below for my preview

Monday Grab Bag: Final Fours all around

While I continue to cope with the fact that I won't be able to make it to NYC to watch the Buffs take on Alabama, check out today's bag where I talk hoops, both men's and women's, and look ahead to baseball on Friday.


Click below for this week's bag

Thursday Buff Stuff

While I frantically try and find an affordable plan to get to NYC, I thought I'd do a quick roundup of 3 items of interest to Buff Nation.

Alabama beats Miami to advance to NIT semi-finals - We now know that CU will face the tough Alabama Crimson Tide Tuesday evening in NYC.  Last night the Tide pressed a frazzled Miami Hurricanes to death to win comfortably 79-64.  It was an impressive defensive victory as they held Miami to 40% shooting, 13% from behind the arc, and forced 18 big turnovers.  The heavy use of the full-court press allowed Alabama to grab 29 points off of those turnovers, and they kept 'Canes at arms reach all night long.

'Bama just blew past Miami last night, looking comfortable all night long.  From: The Tuscaloosa News

When the NIT brackets were released, I circled Alabama as a difficult hurdle to avoid.  I'll have my preview up next week, but this will be a big challenge for the Buffs.  The Tide have 5 players who average over a steal a game, and they use their press to get a steal on over 14% of opponent possessions.  CU has proven that it can handle the press, at times, this year, but when it has faced teams who rely on it, Mizzou, they haven't also had to face a team so reliant on inside efforts on offense.  From scoring in the paint to offensive rebounding, the Buffs haven't had to face a challenge quite like Alabama this season.  Get ready for a tough game.

Wichita St will play Washington St in the other final.  Should CU slip by Alabama, they could end up playing in another Pac-12 preview game.

Seein' Chauncey in the Garden - When CU is trying to break that press of Alabama, they'll have at least one famous New York resident cheering them on.  Thorburn announced in the Camera today that hoops-father Chauncey Billups will be able to attend the semi-final game, and even the final should CU win Tuesday night.  This is a big boost for the players, as Chauncey had been a visible positive influence on the program when he was playing for the Nuggets and catching games court-side at the CEC.

The Buffs will get to see Chauncey again in NYC

Chauncey is still a big name in professional basketball circles, and just having him mentioned along with CU adds credibility to the program as a whole.  While the Buffs have gone 8-2 since Chauncey was dealt to the Knicks, one has nothing to do with the other, and it'll still be good to see Chauncey cheering on the team.

Naming rights for Folsom - In non-basketball news, one the most interesting development in off-field Buff-stuff was the "leaking" of the possibility of Frontier Airlines purchasing naming rights to Folsom Field.  Starting with a picture taken by Allbuffs poster GoldenBuff that clearly showed one of the jumbotrons in Folsom displaying "Welcome to Frontier Stadium," it was later confirmed by the Camera that CU AD Mike Bohn is actively discussing a naming rights deal.  The Camera speculates that the deal could be worth up to $1 million annually.

It's not often that a message board gets to scoop a daily newspaper.  Congrats GoldenBuff!

I, for one, love this idea.  The athletic department is always in need of cash, and selling naming rights is a quick and painless way to get at some quickly.  Some may balk at the idea of changing the name that has been in place for 67 years, but I can assure you, as someone who had to swallow changing Comiskey Park to US Cellular in 2003, that you do eventually get over it.  I initially bitched and moaned, forcing myself to say "Comiskey" when referring to the ballpark, but now I happily refer to it as "the Cell."  How many Denver-ites, and even the Denver Post, refused to utter the word "Invesco" when the Broncos opened up their new stadium 10 years ago?  Now there is no controversy, and rational people use either name interchangeably.

Additionally, something like "Frontier Stadium" isn't as garish a possibility as some of the newer naming rights deals have been, most notably "Papa John's Cardinal Stadium" in Louisville.  Frontier Airlines is a semi-local company, who has been an advertising partner with CU for a long time, so what I'm saying is it could be worse and it's only a name.  It won't change the heart and character of the stadium, and I don't think Fred Folsom would mind if the money was put back into the program. 

In the words of Steve Miller, "take the money and run."

Kent State Wrap

"There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York" - Alicia Keys

70 mph winds, a slew of illnesses, a missing point guard, and a damned tough Kent State team couldn't keep this magical Buffs team from shooting off to New York.  With CU's 81-74 win over the KSU Golden Flashes last night, the Buffs earned their golden ticket to the NIT's final four, and did it in the gritty and determined fashion that they've played with all season.

No, that's not the wind, that's the students celebrating the 18th home victory of the season.  From: the BDC

Minutes into the game I could already tell things were off.  Cory wasn't running with the purpose I've come to expect out of him, nobody could hit a jumper, and interior defensive cohesiveness was lacking.  It's now understood that many of the players were sick with the flu.  That, combined with the absence of point guard Nate Tomlinson, who was sidelined with a separated shoulder, and the opponents star player having a hell of a night, might have spelled loss to a lesser team.  But these guys know how to stare down seemingly impossible odds, and pull a win out of the fire.

They did it last night through another stellar performance from sophomore Alec Burks.  The outstanding guard, who puked in the first half and took an IV during halftime, powered through his illness to fill up the stat sheet.  His final line included 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 big steals.  With Kent St punching back like no team had yet in this tournament, CU needed every bit of his performance.

Alec soared high in what was probably his final performance in the CEC.  From: the BDC

Burks performance, outstanding as it was, needed support, and it was provided in the form of Marcus Relphorde's 17 big points, and yet another double-double from freshman Andre Roberson.  However, the whole team had to step up considering the issues they were facing. 

With many of his teammates struggling through illnesses, Marcus Relphorde jumped up with 17 huge points.  From: the BDC

This win wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, Kent St made sure of that with 44 points in the paint powered by the 20 points from star forward Justin Greene.  The 6-8 New York native played as well as advertised in his attempt to win a trip home, and seemed to be able to match Burks play-for-play on the evening.  He also showed of a deft touch on interior passing, racking up 6 big assists, and made CU look bad on their off-ball interior defense.  Greene had a hell of a night, and it wasn't til very late in the game before CU could slow him down.

Resilient to the end, the Buffs saw KSU take a lead with 7 minutes left in the second half only to go on a 17-7 run to close out the game. The Buffs just would not be denied last night, and they now head to the Big Apple where they have as good a shot as any to walk away with the title.

High-fives all around.  But, there's still 2 games to go.  From: the BDC

Now if only I can figure out a way to see them in NYC...

NIT game #3 Preview: Kent State

I continue to wonder: if CU wins tonight, do they cut down the nets?  In the Tournament, when a team wins their regional, thus advancing to a Final Four, they cut down the nets.  With a win tonight in the quarterfinals of the NIT, the Buffs will have won the bottom-left "regional" of this years tournament, securing themselves a place in the NIT final four.  So I ask again, would CU cut down the nets this evening after a win?  I doubt it as it seems like such a small accomplishment, winning three home games over lesser opponents in a "forgotten" tournament, but tradition is tradition.  Damn it, I want a ladder, scissors, and some cut-up nets.

It's a ritual that Buff fans have been unable to enjoy in a very long time.

Regardless, whoever wins the NIT championship next Thursday in Madison Square Garden will have certainly earned the right do some net-cutting, and the Buffs are only two quality performances away from playing for that right.  After two convincing wins to start the NIT over Texas Southern and Cal, the Buffs find themselves playing the regular season champs from the MAC: the Golden Flashes of Kent State.  Yes, the program is most famous for producing an NFL star (Chargers TE Anotnio Gates), but it isn't without some recent success, having posted twelve 20+ win seasons in the past 13 years.

Gates is, by far, the most famous player to come out of the KSU basketball program.

Kent State have followed an interesting path to Boulder.  They come into the game having jumped across the country on their way to two consecutive road upsets in the NIT.  First traveling to California, then quickly to Connecticut, and then back across the country to Boulder has to be draining, but young kids recover quickly, and I'm not expecting anything less than the best from the blue and gold version of KSU. 

CU, of course, comes in having, so far, successfully avoided the NIT let-down that has felled so many decent teams in the past (and even some this year).  Seemingly easy victories over the past week have left many Buff fans, myself included, dreaming of a trip to NYC and a shot at the NIT title.  But it's not over yet.  This KSU team can do some damage to CU, and will not be a push over.  The Buffs had better be taking the Flashes seriously if they want to reunite with hoop-father Chauncey Billups in the nation's basketball capital.

'Dre and the Buffs have flown high in their first two NIT games, but there's still 3 games on CU's radar.  From: the BDC

This will be the first time ever that CU has faced off against the Golden Flashes from Kent State, but this is also the 3rd straight year that CU will play a MAC school, having faced Buffalo and Miami(OH) in '09 and '10 respectively (1-1).  Tip-off is set for 7pm this evening, and the game can be seen on the ESPN.
That's right, truly national TV.

I once again renew my plea for Buff Nation to fill the CEC.  We've done a great job supporting the team so far in the NIT, but a lack-luster crowd tonight could kill all the momentum that has been building.  If you're in the area, please, PLEASE, come out.  The students are gone for spring break, and we'll need all the butts in seats we can scrounge up to make the CEC as intimidating an arena as possible.

Cory needs to hear that CEC roar one more time if the Buffs are to make it to NYC.  From: the BDC

Click below for my preview

Monday Grab Bag: What a difference a week makes

Seven days ago Buff Nation was reeling from the news that, despite their strong resume, CU was not going to be allowed into the Dance.  Stuck in the middle of the "5 stages of grief," we were all a part of a state-wide therapy session.  Now, with two convincing wins under their belt, CU basketball is on the verge of a nationally televised trip to New York, and Buff Nation is debating the merits of winning multiple games in the NIT against a brief Tournament appearance.

The NIT has proven to be a nice consolation for CU.  Unlike fellow bubble denizens Virginia Tech and Boston College, who lost over the weekend, CU survived the first week, and is one game away from NYC.  The program has gotten to play extra games in front of appreciative, larger than expected crowds, and we've all been allowed to feel good about being Buff fans. That I would trade it all away for even a one-and-done Tournament appearance is besides the point.  This team is getting the chance to prove to themselves and to the nation that they belong, and they're taking advantage of it.

Today in the bag, I'll be talking more about Friday night's win over Cal, the goings on with the Dance, and touch quickly on a setback for my beloved White Sox.

Click below for the weekly grab bag

NIT game #2 preview: Cal

With the move to the Pac-12 on the quickly approaching horizon, there's no time like the present to start getting to know our future conference brethren.  Enter the California Golden Bears with a particularly golden opportunity to taste what lies in store for CU in the new conference.  I'm really excited to see how the Buffs match up against the Bears.  It's second-tier programs like Cal that CU will need to leap-frog if they intend to consistently land in the upper-third of the conference.  Additionally, with CSU and St. Mary's falling in their first round games this week, this date with Cal features the only "name" competition left in CU's "region."

The Buffs will be looking a head to their new conference with their game against Cal this evening.  From: the BDC

The Buffs come in fresh off of their glorified scrimmage against Texas Southern.  Over 60% shooting and more than 50 combined points from Alec and Cory seem nice, but the whole team will need a jump-start in focus and intensity in order to get past Cal this evening.  Cal comes in off of a difficult home win over Ole Miss in their first-round game.  Cal rode the hot hand and 25 points of star guard Jorge Gutierrez to squeak past the Rebels 77-74.

Tip-off is set for 7:30, and the game can be seen on ESPNU (Hey, look!  Television!).  I again beseech all members of Buff Nation to make every effort to attend tonight's game.  We did a decent job Wednesday night, but the Buffs need our help again.  Let's fill the CEC!

Click below for my preview

NIT game #1 Preview: Texas Southern

If you doubted the fact that it doesn't matter who's the higher seed in the NIT, take a look at the bottom portion of CU's bracket.  Both #2 (St. Mary's) and #3 (CSU) were bumped off at home last night by seemingly weaker foes.  Sure, they lost by a combined 3 points, but a loss is a loss, and the NIT elite eight will now feature either Kent St or Fairfield.  (This is where you would hear the sad trombone sound.)

Last night's NIT upsets are not wholly unsurprising for two reasons.  There were a lot of smaller conference champions who lost in their respective conference tournaments, so the NIT field is filled with stronger than usual lower-league foes.  Additionally, the NIT is never about the quality of the team, but of the level of "gives-a-shit" the team currently possesses.  For reference, look back 5 years to the last time CU got rejected by the selection committee (that time fairly); CU had no "gives-a-shit," less than 3,000 fans showed up, and the Buffs were dominated in the second half by a seemingly worse Old Dominion squad.  CU could be playing essentially anyone tonight; the only thing that matters is how focused the Buffs are on the matter at hand.

This may be one of Coach Boyle's toughest sells: to get the Buffs focused on the Tigers.  From: the BDC

That said, CU comes into tonight's opening NIT tilt fresh off one of the most devastating gut punches a program can take: assuming you're in the Tournament only to not be selected.  They had been playing good basketball, having won 6 of their last 9, but that's not the issue now.  How they rebound tonight will be very telling both about the players themselves and the coaching staff.  The Texas Southern Tigers come in having failed to win their conference tournament, and thus being relegated to the NIT nether-region.  Some consolation prize for a team that went 16-2 in the SWAC.  Tip-off is set for 7pm, and the game can be seen on ESPN3 if you get it.  Again, if you live in the Boulder area, I implore you to attend because this teams needs all the support it can get right now.

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