I would be the world's worst liar if I tried to play it off that I imagined that I'd be sitting here on March 16th writing a preview for a 3rd round match with Baylor. The past two weeks have existed in some sort of haze only a late-60s hippy would appreciate. How is this happening? Where did this come from? Dave's not here, man...
Hell, I would've been happy with a winning record and a return trip to the NIT. Now, it's back-to-back 20+ win seasons, a miraculous run to a conference title, and a win in the Dance. What could Coach Boyle possibly still have in his bag of presents to bestow on Buff Nation?
Any further than this, and I'm going to start running out of historical comparison points...
Tip-off against former conference mate Baylor is set for approximately 6:40 Saturday evening. The television coverage is set for TNT, which I assume everyone knows how to find on their television package. Radio coverage, and the dulcet tones of Mark Johnson, can be found on 850 KOA. You can also catch the action online with March Madness Live.
Click below for my preview...
Friday, March 16, 2012
Quick Post: The Dance continues...
For the first time in 15 years, the Colorado Buffaloes have won a Tournament game. The rabbit hole only seems to go deeper, and, after five wins in nine days, CU is still dancing. It wasn't easy, with UNLV cutting a 20-point deficit to two points with under five minutes to go, but the Buffs rallied, Carlon dunked, and the team escaped with a 68-64 win.
(68-64... hrmmm... that sounds familiar. It's almost like someone predicted that exact score yesterday morning. Weird.)
The Buffs were paced by the 6th-man extraordinaire, Askia Booker. "The Scrat" scored 16 points in 24 minutes, and his burst off the bench helped the Buffs set the tone early. Sophomore Dennis Rodman impersonator Andre Roberson chipped in a very 'Dre-like 12/16. Austin Dufault had the cleanest performance, scoring 15 points with no turnovers; considering the Buffs coughed it up 23 times last night, Austin deserves special recognition.
The Runnin' Rebels were lead by Oscar Bellfield, who filled the stat sheet with his 10/5/8 performance. Sensational post man, and former UCLA Bruin, Mike Moser chipped in 10/9 before fouling out down the stretch, but I honestly don't remember him having that great a night.
All told, CU held UNLV to just over 32% shooting, while hitting over 58% of their own 3-point attempts and out-rebounding the Rebels by 13. Had the Buffs not turned the ball over a shocking 23 times (including an extended stretch where CU couldn't advance the ball past mid-court) or missed 10 free throws, this game would've been a rout. If this were a regular season game I'd be worried, but, as this is the Tournament, every win looks like Kate Upton to me.
CU advances to the "third round" of the NCAA Tournament, where they'll face old Big XII foe Baylor, with the winner advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. For the record, CU has never made the Sweet Sixteen in the modern format. Previous forays this far into the Dance came at a time when fewer than 25 teams made the Tournament.
I'm beginning to run out of language to describe this team.
--
My Baylor preview will be up at some point this evening. God only knows when, but I'll get it out.
(68-64... hrmmm... that sounds familiar. It's almost like someone predicted that exact score yesterday morning. Weird.)
The Buffs were paced by the 6th-man extraordinaire, Askia Booker. "The Scrat" scored 16 points in 24 minutes, and his burst off the bench helped the Buffs set the tone early. Sophomore Dennis Rodman impersonator Andre Roberson chipped in a very 'Dre-like 12/16. Austin Dufault had the cleanest performance, scoring 15 points with no turnovers; considering the Buffs coughed it up 23 times last night, Austin deserves special recognition.
| "The Scrat" changed the game off the bench, helping CU jump out to a big lead. From: the Post. |
All told, CU held UNLV to just over 32% shooting, while hitting over 58% of their own 3-point attempts and out-rebounding the Rebels by 13. Had the Buffs not turned the ball over a shocking 23 times (including an extended stretch where CU couldn't advance the ball past mid-court) or missed 10 free throws, this game would've been a rout. If this were a regular season game I'd be worried, but, as this is the Tournament, every win looks like Kate Upton to me.
| Carlon and the Buffs did work beyond the arc, but turnovers kept the game close. From: the Post |
I'm beginning to run out of language to describe this team.
--
My Baylor preview will be up at some point this evening. God only knows when, but I'll get it out.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
UNLV Preview: An evening with the Tournament
Well hello, NCAA Tournament. It's been a long time, but you're looking fine as ever. Might I interest you in some fine French 'champagna'? Here, let me dim the lights, and play some music.
Now that the mood has been set, let's get straight to business...
--
Happy Tournament, Buff Nation!
That's right, it's time for the Dance to tip-off, and for the first time since I was a bright-eyed freshman, the Buffs have scrounged up a ticket. This impossible dream has taken CU through four rounds of the Pac-12 Tournament and straight to New Mexico.
Many would be happy with what the Buffs have managed to accomplish so far. After all, the first conference title in 43 years is definitely something worth celebrating. However, teams who are just "happy to be there" are an affront to the very nature of the Tournament. Any one of the remaining teams, from Asheville to Xavier, is only six wins away from a national title. If you're still in it, you have to be in it to win it.
Standing in CU's way are the Runnin' Rebels from UNLV. This proud program, holder of a national title and plenty of tournament experience, is a tough regional draw, but that's the level of team you're going to face at this stage. It's time for the Buffs to show that they're up to the challenge, and belong with the big boys.
Tip-off from the famous Pit in Albuquerque is set for approximately 7:57pm. The game can be seen on truTV. For those of you who haven't heard of truTV before, it's channel 71 (771 for HD) on Comcast, 246 on DirecTV, and 204 on Dish. You probably already get it without knowing.
If the idea of searching for truTV seems too daunting for you, you can follow the action through MMOD on teh interwebz. Additionally, Mark Johnson and the radio coverage is set for 850 KOA (also available through iheart.com).
Click below for my preview...
Now that the mood has been set, let's get straight to business...
--
Happy Tournament, Buff Nation!
That's right, it's time for the Dance to tip-off, and for the first time since I was a bright-eyed freshman, the Buffs have scrounged up a ticket. This impossible dream has taken CU through four rounds of the Pac-12 Tournament and straight to New Mexico.
Many would be happy with what the Buffs have managed to accomplish so far. After all, the first conference title in 43 years is definitely something worth celebrating. However, teams who are just "happy to be there" are an affront to the very nature of the Tournament. Any one of the remaining teams, from Asheville to Xavier, is only six wins away from a national title. If you're still in it, you have to be in it to win it.
Standing in CU's way are the Runnin' Rebels from UNLV. This proud program, holder of a national title and plenty of tournament experience, is a tough regional draw, but that's the level of team you're going to face at this stage. It's time for the Buffs to show that they're up to the challenge, and belong with the big boys.
Tip-off from the famous Pit in Albuquerque is set for approximately 7:57pm. The game can be seen on truTV. For those of you who haven't heard of truTV before, it's channel 71 (771 for HD) on Comcast, 246 on DirecTV, and 204 on Dish. You probably already get it without knowing.
If the idea of searching for truTV seems too daunting for you, you can follow the action through MMOD on teh interwebz. Additionally, Mark Johnson and the radio coverage is set for 850 KOA (also available through iheart.com).
Click below for my preview...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Quick Post: Tourney Talk
While the majority of the Tournament field rested up for the Madness, the after-thought First Four tipped off in Dayton last night.
The NCAA may not want you to think of this as a 4-pack of play-in games, but common sense will tell you that these four games, laughably called the "first-round" by exactly no one, are exactly that. These eight teams (the bottom four seeds and the final four at-large selections) are competing for the right to make the Tournament as we know it; that screams play-in to me.
While the moniker "play-in" may denote that the teams involved are less-than-quality, that doesn't mean the games played will be. Case in point: neither BYU or Western Kentucky, both come-from-behind winners last evening, has a hope in hell of winning once the real Tournament starts. They both looked like garbage, even in victory (WKU, the only team with a losing record in the field, committed an otherworldly 27 turnovers. BYU? 20). Their frantic comebacks (combined 41 points), however, made for very interesting viewing.
Even bad basketball, at its most shambolic, can appease. It's March afterall.
--
Some quick thoughts on my bracket picks...
The President and I are on the same line of thinking; a Final Four of UNC, Kentucky, Mizzou, and Ohio State, with the Tar Heels over the Wildcats in the final. I really like Kentucky's length and defensive capabilities, while UNC is probably the most capable team in the field. Efficiency is a huge factor this time of year, and Mizzou and OSU are #1 in offensive and defensive efficiency, respectively. It all seems like a no-brainer before Thursday morning...
For early upsets, I like Long Beach St (who I saw in Hawai'i way back in December), Ohio, and NC State. In fact, I like a lot of the 11-seeds this year (*cough*). Should Cal win tonight, I also think they could win a game or two in the real bracket.
I would've picked VCU to advance had they not drawn Wichita State. The Shockers are a damn good team that CU fans will remember from Puerto Rico.
I essentially don't like any team in the top portion of the East bracket, and I think the East could be real ugly come Elite Eight weekend.
As always, this is fluid until Thursday morning. These thoughts can change at the drop of a hat before then.
The NCAA may not want you to think of this as a 4-pack of play-in games, but common sense will tell you that these four games, laughably called the "first-round" by exactly no one, are exactly that. These eight teams (the bottom four seeds and the final four at-large selections) are competing for the right to make the Tournament as we know it; that screams play-in to me.
While the moniker "play-in" may denote that the teams involved are less-than-quality, that doesn't mean the games played will be. Case in point: neither BYU or Western Kentucky, both come-from-behind winners last evening, has a hope in hell of winning once the real Tournament starts. They both looked like garbage, even in victory (WKU, the only team with a losing record in the field, committed an otherworldly 27 turnovers. BYU? 20). Their frantic comebacks (combined 41 points), however, made for very interesting viewing.
Even bad basketball, at its most shambolic, can appease. It's March afterall.
--
Some quick thoughts on my bracket picks...
The President and I are on the same line of thinking; a Final Four of UNC, Kentucky, Mizzou, and Ohio State, with the Tar Heels over the Wildcats in the final. I really like Kentucky's length and defensive capabilities, while UNC is probably the most capable team in the field. Efficiency is a huge factor this time of year, and Mizzou and OSU are #1 in offensive and defensive efficiency, respectively. It all seems like a no-brainer before Thursday morning...
For early upsets, I like Long Beach St (who I saw in Hawai'i way back in December), Ohio, and NC State. In fact, I like a lot of the 11-seeds this year (*cough*). Should Cal win tonight, I also think they could win a game or two in the real bracket.
I would've picked VCU to advance had they not drawn Wichita State. The Shockers are a damn good team that CU fans will remember from Puerto Rico.
I essentially don't like any team in the top portion of the East bracket, and I think the East could be real ugly come Elite Eight weekend.
As always, this is fluid until Thursday morning. These thoughts can change at the drop of a hat before then.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Quick Post: Pac-12 Tournamnet moving to Vegas
Vegas baby, VEGAS!
In the old days (read: last year), a trip to see the Buffs play in the conference tournament meant a depressing jaunt to "exciting" locales such as Kansas City or Oklahoma City (often involving a boring bus ride). With the move to the Pac-12, that destination log was greatly improved, and I jumped at the opportunity to run off to SoCal last week.
But next year's conference finale won't be in the Staples Center, and with good reason. The sparse, and largely dispassionate, crowd made it clear to everyone involved that a new venue was needed.
Enter: Vegas. With the bright lights and myriad list of distractions, Vegas makes the perfect tournament destination. Hell, the WCC, Mountain West and WAC had all come to that conclusion already, and each held their tournament in Sin City last week.
It's a great move by the league, made even better by the tournament setting at the MGM Grand Garden. The venue, which has hosted countless high-profile events over the years, is a perfect setting. On the strip, but with the comfort, size, and amenities that a power conference crowd demands.
The move is another master-stroke from El Jefe. I know I'll be making the trip to Vegas every year.
Meanwhile, the women's tournament, which was split between Staples and the beautifully appointed Galen Center, will be moving to Seattle. About the only problem I can see with that is the fighting that's sure to break out in basketball bands across the west, as band geeks struggle to get on the trip to LV over the side show in Washington. A free trip to Vegas? Damn, I was born a few years too early.
In the old days (read: last year), a trip to see the Buffs play in the conference tournament meant a depressing jaunt to "exciting" locales such as Kansas City or Oklahoma City (often involving a boring bus ride). With the move to the Pac-12, that destination log was greatly improved, and I jumped at the opportunity to run off to SoCal last week.
But next year's conference finale won't be in the Staples Center, and with good reason. The sparse, and largely dispassionate, crowd made it clear to everyone involved that a new venue was needed.
Enter: Vegas. With the bright lights and myriad list of distractions, Vegas makes the perfect tournament destination. Hell, the WCC, Mountain West and WAC had all come to that conclusion already, and each held their tournament in Sin City last week.
It's a great move by the league, made even better by the tournament setting at the MGM Grand Garden. The venue, which has hosted countless high-profile events over the years, is a perfect setting. On the strip, but with the comfort, size, and amenities that a power conference crowd demands.
The move is another master-stroke from El Jefe. I know I'll be making the trip to Vegas every year.
Meanwhile, the women's tournament, which was split between Staples and the beautifully appointed Galen Center, will be moving to Seattle. About the only problem I can see with that is the fighting that's sure to break out in basketball bands across the west, as band geeks struggle to get on the trip to LV over the side show in Washington. A free trip to Vegas? Damn, I was born a few years too early.
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
--
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.
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
--
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.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday Grab Bag: Dancing with Buffaloes
On a whim, and encouraged by rock bottom airfare prices, I traveled to Southern California last week to take in the inaugural Pac-12 basketball tournament. I certainly didn't expect much from my beloved Buffs, who struggled mightily down the stretch in conference play, and the most I expected was a solid win over pseudo-rival Utah.
I figured I'd watch some hoops, get a win out of my trip, and spend most of my time reconnecting with my friends in the area.
Then, the weirdest thing happened: the Buffs flat refused to stop winning.
This game continues to find way to surprise me, and the Buffs run to a God-be-damned conference title last week almost left me more stunned then overjoyed... almost. It took four wins in four days, but the Buffs, on the verge of exhaustion, got it done. Dreams do come true, and the University of Colorado will Dance on Thursday for the first time in nine years.
Today in the bag, I'll be recapping the championship run, and looking ahead to THE BIG DANCE.
Click below for the bag...
I figured I'd watch some hoops, get a win out of my trip, and spend most of my time reconnecting with my friends in the area.
Then, the weirdest thing happened: the Buffs flat refused to stop winning.
 |
| What's this net-cutting thing you speak of? From: the BDC |
Today in the bag, I'll be recapping the championship run, and looking ahead to THE BIG DANCE.
Click below for the bag...
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