On the persistence of physical media

I beg your indulgence as I work through something here.  It may be triggering for some; read or don't read as you see fit.  I make no apologies.

Some idle thoughts after Saturday.

I think it was about the time that KJ Simpson pulled up for a “fuck-it-why-not” three-pointer, a little over halfway into the 2nd frame of CU’s stunning 79-63 win over #2 Arizona, that I realized what was happening.  

Simpson’s thunderbolt 24-footer was the result of a broken play.  With the Buffs up 58-50 at the time, Nique Clifford lost the handle in the backcourt, leading to a four-man scramble onto the hardwood.  Somehow, Nique and KJ combined to regain possession, with Nique flipping the ball back to KJ at the top of the arc.  The freshman spark plug, who had spurned a commitment to the UofA for life in Boulder, spun and twisted, looking for an opening before putting up a hand to let his teammates know to reset.  It was at that point he realized that the Arizona defense had screwed up – in their haste to get back into position, confusion on the wing had left Simpson all alone.  All but shrugging, KJ rose and fired, splashing the effort and setting the CU Events Center to boil.  Buffs now up eleven, never to look back.

Up until that point, I had been humming along, enjoying the ride, and simply appreciative that we fans were not held witness to a repeat of last Thursday’s debacle against Arizona State.  I was taking solace in the fact that the Buffs were showing good fight; that the program icon of program icons, Evan Battey, wasn’t going to see his Senior Day ruined by a schlubby performance. I could come to terms with this end to a season of ups, downs, and all-arounds, even if the mighty Cats from the desert eventually pulled it out in the end.

But, when that shot went in – turning a failed possession into three points – it dawned on me: holy shit, this is actually happening.  The Buffs are going to win.

You see, it’s not every day that the #2 team in the country rolls into town only to roll back out with a loss.  Sure, I’ve seen ‘Zona take a whupping or two in Boulder before – they’re now 2-7 at the Foot of the Flatirons since 2012, of course – but this was not a ‘typical’ version of Arizona.  This was #2 in the polls, #2 in Kenpom Arizona.  We haven’t seen an Arizona team this good since the Giant Death Robot days of 2014 and ‘15, and it was those teams that won their two trips to Boulder by a combined 55 points.  And yet, all that efficiency and aura meant nothing.

Neither did the previous matchup between these two teams seem to mean a thing.  That entrant in the diary, a 21-point CU loss in Tucson from back in mid-January, shared little in common with what was displayed on the hardwood Saturday night, save a feisty performance from KJ Simpson.  Throw that baby out with the bathwater, as well.

No, the Buffs who took the floor on 2/26/22 were a completely different beast.  They were feisty, they were aggressive, they were mean.  They would not be punked in the backcourt, or over-run in the front.  Whether it was attacking the rim (CU had 54 points in the paint against the nation’s second-best 2ptFG% defense), fighting on the boards (holding the Cats to rebounding parity, 30-30), or eating souls on defense (held one of the country’s most efficient offenses to under 40% from the floor), Colorado would not back down on Saturday.  They dictated, they hounded. They made Arizona look soft, not the other way around.

Even if this was an aberrance, even if these two meet again in Las Vegas next week and the tables are turned, this was an important moment.  This was the Colorado Buffaloes, young and lean, learning to hold their own against a monster of the conference.  This is a win that will reverberate in the coming years, paying dividends when the likes of Simpson and Clifford are veterans leading the way.

It’s a win to savor. 

–

My view was perfect.  Buffs win, crowd storms, Senior Day festivities commenced through the din of excited undergrads.  Then, the storybook finish we had all hoped for took form.

Evan Battey, the ebullient heart-and-soul of the Black and Gold, hoisted himself up on top of the sideline signage to take in the adoring masses.  He stood above and apart, yet at the same time existing as one with his audience. A king and his subjects, a mayor and his city. 

The image, as they say, was worth a thousand words.

Evan thanked everyone.  God, his family, his teammates.  Committed to returning, to one day becoming the head coach of the program he had helped define for the last five years.  Tears were shed.

It was a perfect moment.  A program-defining moment from a program-defining individual.  The bear of a power forward, on (and all apologies to Elijah, Will, and Benan) *his* Senior Day, had willed his teammates to a spectacular, singular moment in Colorado Basketball history.  His 11/4/1/2 line, as was typical, belying his over-sized impact on the program and its proceedings.  Then, in one last gift, plastering our memories with an indelible image of joy and success against all odds.  Life, once again, contriving to one-up any pretense of fiction.

Much like Evan, Saturday was unique, never to be duplicated.  I hope you were there.  I hope you got to take it all in.

–

This season is not over.  There’s still the regular-season finale in Utah, the trip to Vegas, and a probable postseason berth of some kind (most likely the NIT) to look towards.  But it’s worth our time, even with games remaining, to take stock of what this year has brought us.

This was not meant to be a thriving campaign.  Sure, Tad and the guys all said the right things in October, about competing for championships, etc.  But, given the roster turnover (McKinley Wright to the NBA, Jeriah Horne back to Tulsa, and D’Shawn Schwartz and Dallas Walton to greener pastures out east), and the fact that Colorado is, as ever, a recruit and develop program, the expectation was that of a re-set clock, rather than a continuation of last season's highs.  2020-21 was meant to be the peak, now back to The Rise.  See you in two or three years.

Instead, what we’ve gotten is a season of defied expectations.  “Young teams can’t win on the road.”  Boom, five true road wins in conference, with a potential sixth still on the table. “Maybe a bottom-half finish in conference with a sub-.500 record.” Boom, a minimum 11 wins in the league, and almost all but assured no worse than 5th-place finish in the Pac-12.  You cannot argue with these results.  

Certainly not, given that the crown jewel of the league's best incoming recruiting class, Lawson Lovering, endured significant growing pains before seeing his season end in late January; his class-mate, and fellow four-star prospect, Quincy Allen, was lost for the year before the season even tipped off; and the expected Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and one of only two initial scholarship seniors, Elijah Parquet, missed the final month and a half of the season.  This was a season played with one hand tied behind CU’s collective backs, and yet they produced a surging effort, now culminating in an impressive final stretch.  

There’s only one result on the calendar that really falls wrong – that loss at home to Arizona State.  Every other result either met with expectations or exceeded them, more or less.  That, in and of itself, is to the credit of Tad Boyle and staff.  They led the young Buffs well, avoiding too many pitfalls.  Could I have asked for a better home record?  Sure.  Would I have liked to see more complete performances @ Washington or @ Washington State?  Yeah.  But the whole picture is one of a young team over-performing the expectations.  If this was meant to be the rebuilding year, the transition year to the next surge of Colorado Basketball, then I can’t wait to see the finished product.

If you can’t appreciate that, given the circumstances, I really don’t know what to say – maybe you should try watching, or commenting, on something else. 

Tuesday Grab Bag: Now I'm Talking Recruiting, or Why the Offseason Sucks

I'm trying, guys.  I'm really trying to keep myself from turning this space into non-stop White Sox talk, since I realize the vast majority of you don't give a shit.  The boys from the South Side are not making it easy, however.  Off to a 14-6 start (big come from behind win last night, btw), they are actually... kind of good?  Shocking the hell out of me, they've turned a magical combination of lights-out pitching and defensive improvement into something that doesn't suck.  Sure, they still can't hit for crap, and regression to the mean is going to rake the pitching staff over the coals, but I can't help but think at least some of this is not fleeting.

So, allow me a brief, self-satisfied 'WHOOP' as I note the hot start of My Sox.  I promise it won't keep me from talking about... whatever it is that I normally talk about over the summer months.

--

Today in the bag, I'm talking some recruiting news in both basketball and football, some random notes from the basketball program, and talking up the lacrosse team.

Click below for the bag...

The 2015 CU Garage Sale

Ah, the garage sale.  A biennial smorgasbord of surplus CU gear for the cost-conscious shopper.  Want the swag without the hefty price tag? Well, then here's the event for you.  Honestly, one of my top three days on the athletics calendar (1: opening day for basketball, 2:  all other basketball games, 3: the garage sale).

New for this year: a long ass line!  I showed up a good 45 minutes early, but was still behind about 50-75 people.

Somewhere near the front: @RyanKoenignberg

What's not pictured are the hundreds still behind me.  By the time the gates opened at high noon, the line stretched around the ticket line stanchions at the entrance to the plaza, south down Colorado, and out of view by the Folsom Field ticket office.  I'm lucky I arrived when I did, as were friends of the blog @CUGoose and @BupsJones,who joined me in line a little later.  Even though I wasn't among the first group to get in, there was still plenty of stuff to peruse once inside the gates.  For those farther back in line... not so much.

The garage sale - a free-for-all of grabbing - is one of the few instances that it pays to be a *cough* larger gentleman.  As athletics staffers get early access, 'normal' sizes like medium and large are almost entirely picked over before the public even gets a shot.  Happily for my XXL frame, there's still plenty around in larger sizes if you're in the first few groups in the door.  Accordingly, I scooped up a nice haul.  Maybe not as much basketball-specific stuff as previous years, but still more than worth the extended lunch break I had to take in order to get in line when I did.

Without further adieu, what I was able to score:

That's right, a damn football helmet.  You had your choice between game/practice used and replica.  I went replica, 'cause I thought it looked better.  Either way, one of these would've set you back a cool $100.  This is going in the man cave.

First up on the clothes end is this sweet weather repellant track jacket.  This is the kind of stuff the garage sale is great at.  Outdated styles, but who really cares if you're wearing 2013's jacket in 2015?  Either way, you're staying dry and reppin' CU.  The current version sells for $65 on CU's website; this one was mine for $15.

 

Another stellar garage sale pickup: last year's team polo.  What are these, usually $50-60 bucks at the store?  Today only you could get them for $10.  I'll be wearing this for years!

Always got to grab up the t-shirts.  $5 each.  I'm especially excited about the one on the right, if you couldn't guess.

Here's a nice example of Burks-era basketball shorts. According to the tag on the inside, they may or may not have belonged at one point to Trent Beckley.  At the garage sale, sometimes you have to size-up, and this is certainly a case of that.  Fine at the waist, but +4 length.  Still though, they'll make for great loungin' wear.  I can't remember the cost, but I think it was $5.

Here's some workout wear.  Or, more precisely, softball wear.  Can never get enough of this stuff, and, at $5 each, you can't beat the price.

More than top wear, the garage sale is also a great opportunity to pick up some work pants.  I got these golf shorts and pants (no logos) for $10 each.  The pants are made for someone seven-feet tall, but that's why they invented hemming.

Turtle-neck thermal?  Absolutely, for $10.  This'll be great for those October/November football games I eventually decide to attend.

I also scooped up a track jacket and polo emblazoned with '2001 Big 12 Champions.'  I assume these were for the players reunion in 2011.  I already have a version of the track jacket from the 2012 Pac-12 basketball championship, but that style of jacket is really nice, so what the hell?  The polo is just fine, and will be great on the golf course ('cause I apparently golf now?)  $10 each. (BTW, My camera was so impressed by the throwback style, that it decided on its own to use a filter. Whatever you want, dude.)

If you're keeping track, I got all those clothes for $100.  Are you kidding me?!  Bargains galore!  But even on top of that, there's more.  At the checkout line, they had the usual cavalcade of media guides for free (if you wanted it, you could get the '93-'94 women's hoops guide).  Going further, there were some other surprises in the freebie bin:

I ended up grabbing four 1990 football media guides for eventual gifts, a '94 football guide for me, and... is that what I think it is?  Yes, BOTH the 2001 Big XII champions video and the 62-36 commemorative film on VHS.  VHS!  HAHA, you just can't beat the hilarity that will ensue at the next white elephant party I'm invited to.

All told, I spent $200 today.  A lot, but if you take out the cost of the football helmet, I made out like a bandit.  I can't wait for 2017 when I get to go around again!

On the Pac-12's Basketball Bands

From time to time I've expressed my opinions on the basketball bands of the Pac-12.  Some of you enjoy these delves into band geekdom, and have requested more.  This post is for you.

Of course, I've also received the occasional push-back on those opinions, like I did last week when I agreed with Rush The Court's Andrew Murawa that the Arizona band appearing in Los Angeles was... less than awesome.  Maybe, in that light, I should provide my qualifications to comment on the league's pep bands, so that you can better understand where I'm coming from.

The large tuba player in the picture above is me. *waves* I played with the CU marching and basketball bands from 2002-2006.  During that time, I rose to become tuba section leader, and have stayed close to the program since graduation.  To this day, you can occasionally find me strapping up as part of the Silver Buffalo Alumni Basketball Band. While not an 'expert performer,' per se, I would consider myself an expert participant in all that is life as a basketball band geek. It's this experience and passion that underscores my opinions on the subject.

(Note on the label 'band geek:' I have never found this term to be offensive, and self-identify as such.  If you, as a band member, do find offense, I apologize, but would hope you understand that I use it here with love)

Of course, the very subject - the quality, or lack there of, of various collegiate pep bands - is itself highly subjective.  There are no right or wrong answers here, and, much like beauty, what you like in the arena is a very personal concept.

For me, I key on a few areas:

1. I need to be able to hear you.  You could be the most technically brilliant set of performers around, but if you're not playing loud enough for a noisy, distractive environment, that brilliance is wasted.  Remember - you're at a basketball game; play like it.
2. Play fast, damnit.  Get in, get out. You have my attention for about 80 seconds... get moving.  In my day, the CU band used to whip out 'Minnie the Moocher' each and every night.  Great song, but it dragged ass, and killed the mood.  Give it some gas, kids.
3. You must be brass heavy.  All apologies to woodwinds, but... MOAR BRASS! Bonus points: The louder and fatter your tubas sound, the better.  
4. Play the hits. Don't play some intricate, jazzy/blues track to indulge your music majors; I better know what I'm listening to.  Also, if you've got a great song you're known for, I'd better hear you playing it.  USC - I want to hear 'Tusk.'  Stanford - light up 'All Right Now.' Oregon - Stone Cold's entrance song, if you please.  But don't play something modern and popular just to play it.  You'd better have a good arrangement.
5. ...but not just the top-40.  You should have more than a few songs that you play every game.  I used to mock Oklahoma mercilessly for having one - and only one - song in their book (you know the one).  Expand your horizons.
6. Appropriate genres. In general, I prefer the following genres - funk, blues rock, disco, soul, 80s hair metal, big band/swing, and ska (highly underutilized).  Some hip hop, R&B, metal, and modern pop tracks (but those can get you in trouble with flobby arrangements).  These aren't requirements - the odd country song can be fun - but just what I prefer.  If you have a lot of ska tunes in your folder, you will win me heart over immediately.

Ideally, you should hear the bands in person, in their home arenas.  Judging a band over television is particularly unfair. A few years back, with CU playing WSU in Spokane, I commented on twitter that the Cougar band sounded like a middle school group.  That was more than hasty on my part - for all I know, the Pac-12 Network had some random intern setting up the band mic for that broadcast.  It's also unfair to judge a group based solely on their performance in tournaments.  Boiling a group down to fewer than 30 players removes a lot of the character and life of a full-piece performance. For example, while still very impressive in tournament scenarios, the 2012 CU band was far more impressive in the CEC, with their full 90+ tucked in the corner of a roiling mass of students.  The wall of sound that group created was unlike any other, and needed to be heard live.

Unfortunately, while I've heard every band in the league play in person (via the Pac-12 Tournament), I'm still deprived of their full-force effort.  (I'll be looking to rectify that in future years, eyeing more travel during January and February.)  Still, at the very least, the tournament in Vegas provides an equal-footing setting. While not perfect, it will at least provide a standard for comparison.  And so, based on my impressions from last month in Sin City, I have compiled a ranking of the league's pep bands for 2015.

A caveat - This is a particularly brutal way to judge musical groups, and I ask that you take this with a grain of salt.  It's purely a reflection of my id's interpretation of the tournament, obscured, in no small measure, by alcohol and sleep deprivation.  Really, there are no winners and losers here. Bands are there to enhance your enjoyment of the event, and, to that measure, every band in the Pac-12 hit their marks. Basketball in the Left Coast wouldn't be the same without any of them.

Without further ado:

1) Stanford

The Cardinal are the gold standard in the Pac-12.  No one has more fun, and that bleeds into my enjoyment of their product.  The damn Tree - notably the band's mascot, not the team's - also helps.  Leaves flopping, always spinning, it's an endearing part of the ensemble.  Oh, and don't forget the cowbell.  You can never have too much of that.  Loud, exuberant, fast-paced, and with a varied book. Just wonderful, the whole package.

2) Oregon

They have a great book, a great arrangement of players.  I kept wanting to turn against them, for Dana Altman reasons, but, damnit, they kept winning me over.  Out-played every band they came up against in Vegas; not kidding. That first trumpet either needs to learn to hold that high note on Stone Cold or hand it off to someone else, though.

3) Oregon State

Oregon State stole Dana Biggs, CU's former director, a few years ago, and their product has steadily improved, as a result.  I've always like Dana's tempos - lightning quick, and impactful - and his players at OSU have really taken to them.  The notes are crisp, clean, and they have the noise to back it up.  It doesn't hurt that the Kentucky product brought many of my old Colorado favorites with him to Corvallis, either. Solid package.

4) Washington

In a surprise, the Huskies caught my eye by having some of the best tubas in Las Vegas.  My word, could they play.  I honestly didn't pay much attention to the rest of the band, my ear was tuned to the big heavies in the back.  Beefy, brassy sound that thundered throughout the arena. Hell of a show, kids, keep up the good work!

5) CU

In 2012, I though Colorado boasted one of the best basketball bands in the whole country.  You may say 'oh, that's just you speaking as a faithful alum,' but I'd put that group up against any (even mighty VCU).  The intervening years haven't been kind, however.  Three directors in as many years have upended the apple cart, and there has been some noticeable slippage in the product.  The new guy (Dr Dockendorf) seems to have things on a positive track, and further continuity will help them regain their standing near the top of this league.

Still, a fun group to listen to.  Generally fun, peppy, fast, and brassy.  I'm a little too familiar with the book at this point, but I still like to hear hits like 'Separate Ways,' and 'Hey Pachuco.'

6) UCLA

The Bruins are very technically good, playing all their songs at an elite level.  Some of the best pure musicians in the Pac-12.  If this were a concert setting, I'd have them much higher on this list. The problem is they're very quiet. I have to strain myself to hear them, even from good seats.  Maybe it's a product of playing for all the blue hairs in Pauley, but they need to be able to turn the amp up to 11 once they hit the Strip.

7) ASU

I found myself really liking this group, much to my surprise.  Nice and brassy, with a fun book.  They make for a really entertaining bunch. However, they have an Achilles' heel.  Wayyyyyyyy too much electric bass. It's distracting.  Pull that beast back in, yo.

8) Arizona

I really like the drummers from Arizona.  As long as I've been listening, they lay on the cymbals, creating a very unique sound.  I can always tell when 'Zona is playing, just from the tone of the kit. The rest of the band, though... *shrugs*.  Pretty quiet, and a little plain musically. The self-indulgent trombone in the first row doesn't do them any favors; dude loves himself some him.

9) Cal

Another band where I kind of just *shrug*.  With the hats and flair, they seem like a corporatized version of Stanford.  Kind of quiet and reserved, I lose track of them, and start staring at Oski... damn is that bear creepy.

10) USC

Speaking of corporatized fun, the USC band gets a lot of pub, but, much like their basketball program, are never what they could/should be.  They're probably down here simply because I expect more from a leading brand.

11) Utah

Honestly can't remember what they sounded like.  I've been wracking my brain, and simply can't remember. I had to sit in the cheap seats for both of their games, so maybe it's just that I was too far removed from their sound, but I'm drawing a blank.  I'll pay closer attention to them next March - they should probably be higher up this list, as a result.

12) WSU

No, they're not the middle school band I made them out to be a few years back.  Much better than that, really.  But, they're still solidly at the bottom of this list.  I will say, however, that they have the best free throw chant in the league.  'You let the whole team down' owns.

My 5th Anniversary

Plainly, simply, today is the 5th anniversary of my first post on the Rumblings of a Deranged Buffalo. Let's get crunk (at nine in the morning).

 

I would like to take a minute to thank each and every one of you who have spent time reading my rumblings over the last half-a-decade.  I am continually humbled by your readership, and hope that you've found something of value in this space.

I would also like to thank everyone who has given my little corner of the internet a voice in their own kingdom, particularly AllBuffs and PacHoops.  You're all awesome, and welcoming, and the best internet friends a blogger could ask for.

Finally, here's to the next five years!

Go Buffs!

Monday Grab Bag: Mid-July sucks

We're just under 40 days away from the Rocky Mountain Showdown! I'll cop to being mildly excited, if only because there's nothing else to draw my attention between now and then.  Fuck CSU, and all of that.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Buffs this year. Not enough to lose me head and starting making bowl trip plans, but I honestly enjoyed the measured improvement shown in 2013, and look forward to what Coach Mac and crew have in store for 2014. Another year like last, and I may actually be able to look my friends from other Pac-12 schools in the eye from August through October.

Media day isn't for another two weeks, and fall camp won't start until August 1st, but it's important to mention that football is right around the corner.  What else do we have to think about as July slowly melts away?

--

Today in the bag, I got BREAKING NEWS and a little on the British Open... Woof, it's been a quiet week...

Click below for the bag...

The All-Time Starting Five for $15 Game: Colorado Basketball Edition

If you're anything close to a basketball fan, you've undoubtedly seen this photo that has been sweeping the internet over the last few weeks.  The wizards over at BallIsLife.com came up with the perfect bar discussion game when they asked their readers to choose an All-Time NBA starting five from a pool of greats... only with one catch.   Every player is tabbed with a particular value, $1-$5 within each position, and you're slapped with a draconian salary cap of only $15 with which to build your 'team.'

Overnight, the $15 game became an internet sensation, and the talk of the basketball world (outside, of course, that whole 'NBA Finals' thing).

It's simply brilliant.  If given free reign over the pantheon of basketball's greats, anyone could piece together the best starting five by simply taking the best player at every position.  The valuation and salary cap makes everything much more complicated.  Do you sacrifice your shooting backcourt to lock down the paint? What sacrifice will you make to secure the services of the great Michael Jordan?  Is Kareem really worth an extra buck over Bill Russell? The discussion points are endless.

(For the record, my $15 five looks like this: Stockton ($2), Jordan ($5), Pippen ($1), Duncan ($3), Shaq ($2), and a $2 well at the Dark Horse.)

Not content with just debating the merits of the best in NBA history, hardwood aficionados have taken the game and made it their own, applying it to individual teams across the playing spectrum.  Given some prodding from the Mayor himself (and Zach Ruebesam!), I figure it's CU's turn, and have agonized over the history of our beloved program to set up the playing field.  See below, pick your five, and hit me up in the comments or on Twitter (@Rumblinbuffalo) with your All-Time CU Starting Five for $15.

(Disclaimer: No current players included in the main game)

PG –

Chauncey Billups - $5
Jay Humphries - $4
Spencer Dinwiddie - $3
Stevie Wise - $2
Marcus Hall - $1

SG –

Alec Burks - $5
Richard Roby - $4
Cory Higgins - $3
Donnie Boyce - $2
Michel Morandais - $1

SF –

Ken Charlton - $5
Scott Wedman - $4
Andre Roberson - $3
Chris Copeland - $2
Blair Wilson - $1

PF –

Cliff Meely - $5
Shaun Vandiver - $4
Bob Jeangerard - $3
Stephane Pelle - $2
Bob Doll - $1

C –

'Burdie' Haldorson - $5
David Harrison - $4
Jim Davis - $3
Chuck Gardner - $2
Scott Wilke - $1

(My 5?  Mayor, Boyce, Cope, Meely, Davis.  Scoring for days.) 

- Now that you've picked your five, add some spice with a free walk-on, or add $3 and select a coach -

Walk-On - 

$0 - Beau Gamble
$0 - Billy Boidock
$0 - Preston Slaughter
$0 - 'THE' Brett Brady
$0 - Trent Beckley

Coach -

$5 - 'Sox' Walseth
$4 - Tad Boyle (Praise be his name)
$3 - 'Frosty' Cox
$2 - H.B. Lee
$1 - Ricardo Patton

Quick Post: The Pac-12 Mascots Death Match

Friend of the blog Adam Butler (@pachoopsab) is at it again, hosting a 'Deathmatch' vote-off between the Pac-12's various mascots.  I was tabbed to defend Chip, which I flatly refused to do.  Instead, I wrote up why Ralphie is the best mascot in the West, which is easy since she's the best mascot in the whole world.

Here's my blurb:
"I guess, ostensibly, I’m supposed to be talking about Chip, our Mickey Mouse with horns made available for the kiddies.  However, if you’re going to talk University of Colorado athletics, there is only one mascot that matters – the ton of rampaging bison known as Ralphie.  Often a source of confusion, let me confirm that Ralphie is, in fact, a female.  It’s an important distinction, because, if we were to let a male bison loose, death would ensue; after all, a buffalo is an unstoppable goring machine when pissed off.  With the lady involved, we’re only talking serious bodily harm, if you’re lucky.  So, come at me with your anthropomorphic plush toys.  I got a frickin’ buffalo, and you don’t."

If you agree with me that Ralphie is awesome, or at least better than USC's sorry excuse for a mascot, you should head over to Pachoops.com and vote for our favorite rampaging bison. You can do so here.

Vote early, vote often, vote Buffalo!

Happy 'Murika

I wish all of BuffNation a happy and safe Independence Day. Remember, George Washington didn't slay Hessians at 3am so that you could drink Bud Ice. Be a real 'Murikan, and drink craft beer.

One more...

The 2013 CU Garage Sale

Once again, the folks at the CU athletic department are opening their warehouse for a garage sale.  Those who have taken advantage of it in the past know that it is an incredibly cheap way to load up on Black and Gold gear for the upcoming year.  T-Shirts?  $5.  Pants?  $15.  Track jackets?  $20.  They even have game-worn jerseys from most sports, available to you, the CU fan-on-a-budget, for low, low prices.

Unfortunately, it's getting harder and harder to find anything if you're normal-human sized.  By 12:05 today, essentially right as the doors opened, anything from men's sizes S through XL was already gone, and shoes were only available in sizes approaching SHAQ. Bad luck for many bargain hunters.

Luckily, I am not sized like a normal human, and I was able to score some great deals.  I may not have found the game-worn Nate Tomlinson jersey that I was looking for, but it was still worth the trip up to campus.

This is my haul from today:

An official jersey from the mountain man himself, Ryan Miller.  The slim-fit is a little small for me.  In retrospect, I may have to gift this.

This is what I came for: NCAA Tournament wear!  Combination Pac-12 Champion and Tournament participant track jacket for only $20.  BOOM!

More Tournament wear.  This time, a fleece for $10.  I had to size-up on this one, but it'll be worth it when it's November, and I'm headed to the CEC.  This was the last one they had in stock, and I had to stare-down a dude who was looking at it.

A pair of track pants, one with logo, the other without.  My lounge-wear needs are officially taken care of.

I got two pairs of these golf pants.  Luckily, our football coaching staff is made of of appropriately-sized gentlemen.

 And, finally, a pair of t-shirts, both basketball themed.  Items right after my heart.

Grand total for nine items: $110.  I'd have paid that for the two Tournament tops alone.  I love the garage sale.

Quick Post: On Peyton Manning, and his crashing of CU's dance party

Dear Mr. Manning,

Addictive personalities being what they are, your forthcoming free agency decision has gotten the Bronco tweakers back on the blue and orange dragon.  I don't think it's healthy for them, or those of us around them, to jump back into their destructive addiction so quickly. 

Further, your search for a new home, while understandably public, has begun to take attention away from the first Tournament berth for the University of Colorado (and that small ag school up the road) in just shy of a decade.  Simply, what should be a time for incessant celebration has been overshadowed by your search.

Accordingly, I ask that you please make your decision quickly; it's March, and football shouldn't be discussed by anyone, anywhere during this time.

Kthnxbai,

RumblinBuff

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While I'm on the subject, if this process has made one thing clear to me, it's that John Elway would rather don a Raiders cap than have Tim Tebow as his QB come fall. 

Over the past few months, the Donkeys have been linked to everything from QB money-pit Matt Flynn, to a destructive trade to grab one of the top-two draft picks (and the QB prospects that come with them).  Now, this high profile pursuit of an aging, injury-plagued superstar has all but driven home the point that Elway would rather anyone, seriously ANYONE, other than Tebow take snaps.

Elway needs it to be a high-profile name to mollify the section of the Broncos fanbase that is squarely in 15's corner.  Manning certainly fits that bill.

Add this to the lukewarm assurance that Little Timmy would be the QB come training camp (duh), and I wouldn't expect to see the ratings cow on the Denver sidelines much longer, Manning or no Manning.

Quick Post: Semi-finals of the Pachoops.com Coaches Deathmatch

Coach Boyle has scratched and clawed his way into the semi-finals of the Pachoops.com Coaches Deathmatch Tournament.  He's bested a bear and a tree; now all that stands between him and a spot in the title game is a matchup with the First Brother-in-Law.

OSU head man Craig Robinson may have bested Coach Boyle over the weekend, but the ThunderDome was made for revenge. Head on over and help Buff Nation spur the "Colorado Cranium" into the finals.

This is probably the only Final Four that CU will make this season, so there's no reason to let it slip by unattended.  GO VOTE!

Quick Post: 2nd round of the Pachoops.com Coaches Deathmatch

Over at Pachoops.com the coaching carnage continues.  Coach Boyle survived his first round match against Cal Coach Mike Montgomery, only to come face to face with nemesis Johnny Dawkins. 

The Stanford Coach may have Boyle's number in the real world, but the "Colorado Cranium" seems to have the lock-down in the hypothetical ThunderDome, cruising to an early lead.  Still, it wouldn't hurt to send some more votes his way. 

While you're there, why not also vote for USC's Kevin O'Neill and Utah's Larry Krystkowiak?  They're facing off against fanbases (Arizona and Washington) who could cause problems for Coach Boyle later in the tournament.  Voting closes tomorrow, so get cracking!

Pac-12 Coaches Death Match Tournament

Adam Butler over at Pachoops.com has come up with a way solve this muddled rush to the Pac-12 title.  His proposal: have the coaches duke it out in a no holds bared, ThunderDome approved, Death Match extravaganza.

I, of course, like Coach Boyle's chances, but hobo look-a-like, and donor-fighter, Kevin O'Neill from USC has to be the winner. 

You can pop over to Adam's site to vote for Coach Boyle in his first round matchup against Cal's cancer surviving Coach Montgomery.  Nothing against cancer survivors, but I got to think a hale and hearty former D-1 athelete can take one down.

The 12 Days of Buffs-mas

A Merry Buffs-mas to you all!  As the calendar runs short of pages, I thought it would be appropriate to present a contrived holiday post.  This is a list of what I want to find under my tree this year.

Click below for the contrived fun...

Quick Post: Guy on a Buffalo Pt 4 - GoaB Strikes Back

I usually save these until Friday, or at least until EDSBS alerts me to a new episode, but I couldn't resist.  Buff Nation needs a pick-me-up, and what better than the continuing adventures of our hero, the Guy on a Buffalo. 

Check out the 4th, and apparently final, installment of the series that has swept the inter-tubes:

HE RODE THE BUFFALO INTO A SALOON!  I totally didn't see that coming.

Ride on, GoaB... Ride on...

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Previous episodes:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Quick Post: Guy on a Buffalo Pt 3

He's back! GoaB is back just in time for Saturday!  Check it out:

It's funny how, just like the real-life Buffs, the episode ends with GoaB hurting.  We'll just have to wait and see how this all turns out...

BTW, my favorite comment from Youtube: "If the guy on a buffalo dies, then so does my reason for living."  Indeed.

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Previous episodes:

Part 1

Part 2

Quick Post: Guy on a Buffalo Pt 2

OH YOUR GOD!  EDSBS (dply on Allbuffs had it as well) has alerted me to the emergence of "Guy on a Buffalo" pt 2!

Check it out:

This week, G.O.A.B. punches a cougar IN THE FACE!  How appropriate!

Apparently, these are scenes cut from the 1978 movie "Buffalo Rider."  I have never, EVER, heard of this thing.  You can, thanks to the magic of teh intertubes, watch the whole movie on Youtube.  Thank you internet gods!

Quick Post: Guy on a Buffalo - Pt 1

The guys at EDSBS tweeted this awesome video of a guy riding a Buffalo around and doin' stuff.

Check it out:

That would've been a much better video to post than the "rubes filming wildlife" shit I dug up for the Cal game.  Hopefully Pt 2 of 'Guy on Buffalo' includes him fucking up some nuts.