The 2012 football season lives for only nine more days. After next Friday we
can lay this horror show to rest, and never think about it again.
Kickoff from Folsom is set for 11:30 AM Saturday. Since I'm assuming many would-be attendants are going to stay away from this one, I'll helpfully point out that television coverage of the game will be on FX. Radio coverage can be found on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Basketball's signing day
Today is the first day of the fall signing period for basketball and other winter sports. After going 3-for-3 with visits in September, Coach Boyle spent the day putting the finishing touches on his 3rd consecutive solid recruiting class. Comprised of three 'tweener athletes who can play multiple
positions, this class is prototypical Coach Boyle: long, lean, and athletic players who are far from one-dimensional. All three committed after visiting during early-season football
weekends; in future years, we may look back on this trio as one of the few
positives to emerge from the 2012 football campaign.
With a trio of forwards forming the backbone of the 2012 class, 2013 has been built mostly on the perimeter. It's not going to make the national waves that last season's vaunted class did, but it's still a haul to be proud of, and one that should continue the process of building this program into a consistent winner.
There were some blue-chip misses out on the recruiting trail - especially Jabari Bird, who chose Cal over the Buffs, among others - but I'm satisfied with the group Coach Boyle has put together. Unlike last season, where Eli Stalzer became a surprise spring signing, the program is completely out of scholarships - in fact, CU oversigned by two, relying on post-season defections to create open spots - so this coaching staff can now devote all of it's recruiting attention to 2014.
Below is a quick break-down of the class, and how I see them contributing in the future.
--
Jaron Hopkins - SG - 6'5", 190, Mesa, AZ
-Rivals
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
Jaron is the big name of the class; CU had to out-pursue many Pac-12 rivals to get him. The #1 recruit from the state of Arizona, he's been consistently ranked in the top-150 players nationally, and is seen by most as a 4-star level prospect. Listed as a SG, he's versatile enough to play anywhere from 1-through-3. He's got an explosive first-step, and projects to be a monster in transition. He'll have to work on shooting consistency, especially at the free throw line, and he has a noted tendency to over-dribble, but he's an exciting athletic talent who could see good minutes his freshman year.
Tre'Shaun Fletcher (nee Lexing) - SF - 6'5", 195, Tacoma, WA
-Rivals
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
The lone signing day surprise wasn't the commit status of a recruit, but rather a name change. Back in September, recruiting junkies rejoiced over a commitment from Tre'Shaun Lexing. A few days ago, however, word came down that he is now a Fletcher. Fair enough.
The word almost everyone uses when describing Tre'Shaun is "upside." Luckily, the current state of the roster should allow the southpaw to mature a bit before he's relied upon. Strong in transition, most note that he is a good passer who does a great job distributing when his options are cut short. His jump-shot can get away from him, but it is improving.
Dustin Thomas - PF - 6'8", 210, Texarkana, TX
-Rivals
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
Potentially the most intriguing member of the 2013 class, Dustin comes to CU as a sleeper power forward prospect from Texas (so much of a sleeper, in fact, that I can't find any online video packages). The part of his game that grabs the most attention is his outside shot, as he hit 48% from three as a junior, but he can also rebound, grabbing 14 per game in his high school league. His stock rose sharply over the summer, and CU had to beat out old Big XII rivals Oklahoma and K-State for his services. Being from Texas and playing as a rangy "4," comparisons will quickly be made to Andre Roberson, but that's probably unfair. Still, BuffNation has gotten used to what a high-motor power forward from the Lone Star State can bring to the table.
--
Congrats to all three, and welcome to BuffNation!
With a trio of forwards forming the backbone of the 2012 class, 2013 has been built mostly on the perimeter. It's not going to make the national waves that last season's vaunted class did, but it's still a haul to be proud of, and one that should continue the process of building this program into a consistent winner.
There were some blue-chip misses out on the recruiting trail - especially Jabari Bird, who chose Cal over the Buffs, among others - but I'm satisfied with the group Coach Boyle has put together. Unlike last season, where Eli Stalzer became a surprise spring signing, the program is completely out of scholarships - in fact, CU oversigned by two, relying on post-season defections to create open spots - so this coaching staff can now devote all of it's recruiting attention to 2014.
Below is a quick break-down of the class, and how I see them contributing in the future.
--
Jaron Hopkins - SG - 6'5", 190, Mesa, AZ
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
Jaron is the big name of the class; CU had to out-pursue many Pac-12 rivals to get him. The #1 recruit from the state of Arizona, he's been consistently ranked in the top-150 players nationally, and is seen by most as a 4-star level prospect. Listed as a SG, he's versatile enough to play anywhere from 1-through-3. He's got an explosive first-step, and projects to be a monster in transition. He'll have to work on shooting consistency, especially at the free throw line, and he has a noted tendency to over-dribble, but he's an exciting athletic talent who could see good minutes his freshman year.
Tre'Shaun Fletcher (nee Lexing) - SF - 6'5", 195, Tacoma, WA
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
The lone signing day surprise wasn't the commit status of a recruit, but rather a name change. Back in September, recruiting junkies rejoiced over a commitment from Tre'Shaun Lexing. A few days ago, however, word came down that he is now a Fletcher. Fair enough.
The word almost everyone uses when describing Tre'Shaun is "upside." Luckily, the current state of the roster should allow the southpaw to mature a bit before he's relied upon. Strong in transition, most note that he is a good passer who does a great job distributing when his options are cut short. His jump-shot can get away from him, but it is improving.
Dustin Thomas - PF - 6'8", 210, Texarkana, TX
-ESPN
-AllBuffs
Potentially the most intriguing member of the 2013 class, Dustin comes to CU as a sleeper power forward prospect from Texas (so much of a sleeper, in fact, that I can't find any online video packages). The part of his game that grabs the most attention is his outside shot, as he hit 48% from three as a junior, but he can also rebound, grabbing 14 per game in his high school league. His stock rose sharply over the summer, and CU had to beat out old Big XII rivals Oklahoma and K-State for his services. Being from Texas and playing as a rangy "4," comparisons will quickly be made to Andre Roberson, but that's probably unfair. Still, BuffNation has gotten used to what a high-motor power forward from the Lone Star State can bring to the table.
--
Congrats to all three, and welcome to BuffNation!
Charleston Classic preview
The Buffs once again find themselves in a strong early season tournament. Last year in Puerto Rico, CU was included in a field that went on to produce six Tournament teams. The challenge in store for the squad in Charleston this season may be even greater, as Coach Boyle discussed earlier this week by relaying one NBA scout's favorable opinion:
In a general sense, I think the Buffs will do well in Charleston. The program hasn't won more than one game in an early season tournament since the America's Youth Classic of 2007, and I think they could finally break the streak this season. 2-1 is the goal, and I'm going to tell you how they get there.
Click below for the preview...
"[...] the Charleston Classic field - it also includes Boston College, Baylor, Dayton, Murray State, Auburn, St. John's and Charleston - features more individual talent than any other early season tournament." (-link)It will certainly be a big early test for the young team, and how they handle it will go a long way towards telling us how they'll perform during the difficult post-Thanksgiving portion of the non-conference schedule.
In a general sense, I think the Buffs will do well in Charleston. The program hasn't won more than one game in an early season tournament since the America's Youth Classic of 2007, and I think they could finally break the streak this season. 2-1 is the goal, and I'm going to tell you how they get there.
Click below for the preview...
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Quick Post: On Jeremy Adams and a deep bench
When you look at the stat lines from Friday night, one thing that jumps out is that the Buffs not only played nine, they played nine confidently. Everyone who saw the court played at least 10 minutes, and everyone scored. Sure, the level of competition and state of the calendar had a lot to do with that, but going nine deep speaks to the quality of the roster, and the versatility that Coach Boyle has afforded himself.
The big secret, however, is by this time next week the Buffs could confidently go ten deep if needed. That is, of course, dependent on the return of veteran swing guard Jeremy Adams. When healthy, Jeremy can be a decent contributor off the bench. A small, yet charismatic piece of the larger Buffs puzzle. His size alone makes for a difficult matchup problem (6-5, 220 - biggest non-forward on the roster), and he's one of the few upperclassmen who can be counted on to produce in-game.
... when healthy being the key phrase. Recent difficulties with his knee are only the latest in an unfortunately familiar refrain, and he has yet to stay healthy long enough to translate his best work from the practice courts to the CEC. To that end, Coach Boyle recognizes his value, and has been quietly prodding him to fight through nagging injuries, and get back on the court where he can contribute.
Whether a product of healing or Coach Boyle's subtle hints about the grit of Shane Harris-Tunks, for the first time since the summer Adams was a full participant at yesterday's practice. He's not expected to be fully back in the rotation this weekend in Charleston, with Coach Boyle instead deferring to players who have been practicing the last few weeks, but there's now an identifiable timetable to seeing Jeremy back in action.
This can only be good news, as the Buffs are a better team with him in the picture. With him back on the court, the roster can finally slot into place as was intended, with Adams grabbing 10-15 minutes as the 7th/8th man. It will take pressure off of young reserves like the Xaviers Johnson and Talton, and lend greater flexibility to substitution patterns.
The big secret, however, is by this time next week the Buffs could confidently go ten deep if needed. That is, of course, dependent on the return of veteran swing guard Jeremy Adams. When healthy, Jeremy can be a decent contributor off the bench. A small, yet charismatic piece of the larger Buffs puzzle. His size alone makes for a difficult matchup problem (6-5, 220 - biggest non-forward on the roster), and he's one of the few upperclassmen who can be counted on to produce in-game.
... when healthy being the key phrase. Recent difficulties with his knee are only the latest in an unfortunately familiar refrain, and he has yet to stay healthy long enough to translate his best work from the practice courts to the CEC. To that end, Coach Boyle recognizes his value, and has been quietly prodding him to fight through nagging injuries, and get back on the court where he can contribute.
Whether a product of healing or Coach Boyle's subtle hints about the grit of Shane Harris-Tunks, for the first time since the summer Adams was a full participant at yesterday's practice. He's not expected to be fully back in the rotation this weekend in Charleston, with Coach Boyle instead deferring to players who have been practicing the last few weeks, but there's now an identifiable timetable to seeing Jeremy back in action.
This can only be good news, as the Buffs are a better team with him in the picture. With him back on the court, the roster can finally slot into place as was intended, with Adams grabbing 10-15 minutes as the 7th/8th man. It will take pressure off of young reserves like the Xaviers Johnson and Talton, and lend greater flexibility to substitution patterns.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Monday Grab bag: BASKETBALL!
Basketball season is here, and I'm loving it! It was great to get back in the gym Friday night, and I can't wait to watch the season-long saga unfold. In fact, I'm so excited about the return of hoops that I'm completely ignoring the world of football, and focusing solely on matters of the hardwood.
(You really want football news? Fine: CU can't play defense, and Alabama lost. Knowledge: dropped)
Today in the bag, I'm looking back at Friday's win, admitting a mistake, discussing the freshmen, and taking a spin around the world of basketball.
Click below for the bag...
(You really want football news? Fine: CU can't play defense, and Alabama lost. Knowledge: dropped)
Today in the bag, I'm looking back at Friday's win, admitting a mistake, discussing the freshmen, and taking a spin around the world of basketball.
Click below for the bag...
Friday, November 9, 2012
Quick Post: Wofford teaser
Longtime followers of the blog will recall that I don't run out the full preview treatment for every non-conference game. I'll take some time for the biggies (CSU, Kansas, Charleston Classic), but I'll just do quick teasers for most of the early schedule (Do you really want 2,000 words on NAU and Hartford?).
It's finally here, opening night! GODDAMN OPENING NIGHT! It's like Christmas morning, only better... and with basketball! 2012-13 has arrived, and none too soon. After slogging through a summer and football season that offered little relief, BuffNation will finally have a few moments of honest joy to savor. Tonight is going to be electric.
This game has been a near-as-makes-no-difference sellout for weeks. Imagine that, a November non-conference game against a small school from 1,500 miles away is the hottest ticket of the fall. No one is coming this evening to see the opponent, it's all about the Buffs. As well it should be. Tonight is an opportunity to revel in the return of basketball, to celebrate the championship season of last year, and kick off the new season with a bang.
I'm sure when Wofford coach Mike Young signed up for this game, he wasn't expecting the CEC to be jammed packed with 11,000 hoops-mad Buff fans, but that roiling cauldron is what he's going to get this evening. The underdogs from Wofford are no pushover, however. They're more than some scrub D-2 team, or some bottom feeding RPI 300+ candidate. After claiming back-to-back SoCon championships to start the decade, they are a program with some swagger. Take them lightly at your peril.
Despite fielding 13 underclassmen after years of graduating exodus, they should still be able to compete for the SoCon title once again this season. The key player for the Terriers is 6-1 sophomore guard Karl Cochran. Fresh off the SoCon freshmen of the year award, he's meant to be the lead dog this year. He put up 27% of the team's shots when he was on the court last season, and I expect him to take even more than that tonight. Fellow sophomore Lee Skinner is an interesting forward who grabs a lot of offensive rebounds (13.2%). I'll doubt he'll have much luck in that area tonight, however. They also have a dude on their team named Indiana Faithful. That's awesome.
They favor a very deliberate half-court set, coming in at 324th nationally in adjusted tempo last year, and taking about 62 possessions per game. This is a team who will try to control the pace of the game, and wear the young Buffs into mental mistakes. With an impatient capacity crowd hungry for blood, it'll be up to Coach Boyle and staff to keep the energy controlled, and the team pointed in the right direction.
Even with all the excitement of opening night and a championship banner unveiling, I'm not too concerned about the Buffs running into a wall. Wofford is a team that CU should be able to cruise past at home, and in the process finally bring some joy back to Mudville. A 10-15 point win would be acceptable, more would help salve the wounds left lingering from football season.
Tip is set for a little after 5pm, but show up early to see the championship banner unfurled. Those of you out-of-towners can catch the action on the Pac-12 Network.
C'mon Buffs! Kick some ass, and start the weekend and season off with a bang! The fanbase needs this...
GO BUFFS! BEAT WOFFORD!
It's finally here, opening night! GODDAMN OPENING NIGHT! It's like Christmas morning, only better... and with basketball! 2012-13 has arrived, and none too soon. After slogging through a summer and football season that offered little relief, BuffNation will finally have a few moments of honest joy to savor. Tonight is going to be electric.
This game has been a near-as-makes-no-difference sellout for weeks. Imagine that, a November non-conference game against a small school from 1,500 miles away is the hottest ticket of the fall. No one is coming this evening to see the opponent, it's all about the Buffs. As well it should be. Tonight is an opportunity to revel in the return of basketball, to celebrate the championship season of last year, and kick off the new season with a bang.
I'm sure when Wofford coach Mike Young signed up for this game, he wasn't expecting the CEC to be jammed packed with 11,000 hoops-mad Buff fans, but that roiling cauldron is what he's going to get this evening. The underdogs from Wofford are no pushover, however. They're more than some scrub D-2 team, or some bottom feeding RPI 300+ candidate. After claiming back-to-back SoCon championships to start the decade, they are a program with some swagger. Take them lightly at your peril.
Despite fielding 13 underclassmen after years of graduating exodus, they should still be able to compete for the SoCon title once again this season. The key player for the Terriers is 6-1 sophomore guard Karl Cochran. Fresh off the SoCon freshmen of the year award, he's meant to be the lead dog this year. He put up 27% of the team's shots when he was on the court last season, and I expect him to take even more than that tonight. Fellow sophomore Lee Skinner is an interesting forward who grabs a lot of offensive rebounds (13.2%). I'll doubt he'll have much luck in that area tonight, however. They also have a dude on their team named Indiana Faithful. That's awesome.
They favor a very deliberate half-court set, coming in at 324th nationally in adjusted tempo last year, and taking about 62 possessions per game. This is a team who will try to control the pace of the game, and wear the young Buffs into mental mistakes. With an impatient capacity crowd hungry for blood, it'll be up to Coach Boyle and staff to keep the energy controlled, and the team pointed in the right direction.
Even with all the excitement of opening night and a championship banner unveiling, I'm not too concerned about the Buffs running into a wall. Wofford is a team that CU should be able to cruise past at home, and in the process finally bring some joy back to Mudville. A 10-15 point win would be acceptable, more would help salve the wounds left lingering from football season.
C'mon Buffs! Kick some ass, and start the weekend and season off with a bang! The fanbase needs this...
GO BUFFS! BEAT WOFFORD!
Friday Beer Post: 2012 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - Arizona Edition
Each week
throughout the football season I'm going to suggest a good beer for the
ubiquitous pre-game tailgate. Let's be honest, with tailgates it's
not always top quality that you're looking for. To steal a phrase
from the heinous beer terrorists at Budweiser, you want
"drinkability." (or what a real beer connoisseur calls "a session
beer") So, be warned, these may not be "the best" beers around. But,
in the words of Dave Chappelle as Samuel L. Jackson, "IT'LL GET YOU
DRUNK!"
Football might as well not exist today. The 9th of November is all about hoops, so my pick this morning has nothing to do with any football-centric angle. I make a habit of going to the World Famous Dark Horse before most basketball games, and tonight will be no exception. As is tradition, I can only have one beer at the Horse, and that stems from an incident eight years ago.
It was November 19th, 2004, and I was meeting some out-of-town friends at the Horse. I was only 20 at the time, so I was forced to forlornly watch as my buddies pounded pitcher after pitcher of brews post dinner. There was a basketball game on the TV: Pacers/Pistons, which at the time was a great matchup, and featured former Buffs basketball star David Harrison. The game was winding down, and I was preparing to head home to where I could get drunk with the rest of my underage crew. All of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye I could see Ron Artest running into the stands. It was the Malice in the Palace, and shit got real.
The chaos in the stands lead to chaos in the bar. Everyone was up and yelling. In the confusion, the dude who was tasked with checking everyone's ID's passed our table by. When everything settled down, I found myself inside the Dark Horse after 9pm, with the entire Horse staff assuming that I was therefore 21 or older. Well, I guess it's time to pass that pitcher over...
The beer in that pitcher was Boulder Beer's Hazed and Infused, and out of respect for that night I've only ever ordered Hazed when I'm at the Horse. To celebrate the start of basketball season, I'm also naming it my gameday beer-o-the-week.
If you've been a beer drinker in Boulder for any length of time, you've probably had your fair share of Hazed. Hoppy in both aroma and flavor, it's your basic American Pale Ale. It's dry-hopped to give it a bright and citrusy fresh hop character, with a little malt to balance. Other APA's have passed Hazed by in notoriety and popularity, but it remains a staple brew for me. If you haven't had one in a while, you might want to give it a second look.
Happy Friday! Go Buffs, beat the Terriers!
Football might as well not exist today. The 9th of November is all about hoops, so my pick this morning has nothing to do with any football-centric angle. I make a habit of going to the World Famous Dark Horse before most basketball games, and tonight will be no exception. As is tradition, I can only have one beer at the Horse, and that stems from an incident eight years ago.
It was November 19th, 2004, and I was meeting some out-of-town friends at the Horse. I was only 20 at the time, so I was forced to forlornly watch as my buddies pounded pitcher after pitcher of brews post dinner. There was a basketball game on the TV: Pacers/Pistons, which at the time was a great matchup, and featured former Buffs basketball star David Harrison. The game was winding down, and I was preparing to head home to where I could get drunk with the rest of my underage crew. All of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye I could see Ron Artest running into the stands. It was the Malice in the Palace, and shit got real.
The chaos in the stands lead to chaos in the bar. Everyone was up and yelling. In the confusion, the dude who was tasked with checking everyone's ID's passed our table by. When everything settled down, I found myself inside the Dark Horse after 9pm, with the entire Horse staff assuming that I was therefore 21 or older. Well, I guess it's time to pass that pitcher over...
The beer in that pitcher was Boulder Beer's Hazed and Infused, and out of respect for that night I've only ever ordered Hazed when I'm at the Horse. To celebrate the start of basketball season, I'm also naming it my gameday beer-o-the-week.
If you've been a beer drinker in Boulder for any length of time, you've probably had your fair share of Hazed. Hoppy in both aroma and flavor, it's your basic American Pale Ale. It's dry-hopped to give it a bright and citrusy fresh hop character, with a little malt to balance. Other APA's have passed Hazed by in notoriety and popularity, but it remains a staple brew for me. If you haven't had one in a while, you might want to give it a second look.
Happy Friday! Go Buffs, beat the Terriers!
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