2015-16 CU vs Oregon Basketball Preview #1: Competing with the Broncos and the Ducks

Sometimes, the beautiful game of basketball is just plain ugly.  Such was the case this past Wednesday night, as the Colorado Buffaloes and Oregon State Beavers played discordant, arrhythmic hoops over the first 30 minutes of action.  At the time, I compared it to the metallic jingle-jangle of a fork left in an on-turned garbage disposal -- jarring, uncomfortable, and, ultimately, destructive.  There were turnovers, there were terrible shots, there were flat blown calls by the officials, and there were some truly questionable decisions by both coaching staffs.  As ugly as the action was, though, CU had been seeming to get the best of the game into the U12 second half media timeout.  Yet still, they had squandered a number of medium-sized advantages to head to the bench down 38-37.  At this point, we all seemed doomed to a frustrating slog to the finish, with Colorado possibly spiking yet another home game.

Wes Gordon, yo!  From: the Ralphie Report

Then, the Buffs flipped a switch.  Just like that.  They came out of that media timeout firing on all cylinders, and jumped out to a 19-6 run over the next five minutes.  Overall, they would outscore the Beavers 34-16 over the final 11:44, dominating on both ends.  What had been ugly and uncomfortable suddenly became free-flowing and easy.  Where in previous games Colorado had struggled down the stretch, they soared in this one, and earned a very satisfying 71-54 win, in the process.

The key?  A very Tad Boyle-like double-scoop of defense and rebounding.  Lead by Wes Gordon, the Buffs were stifling on 'D,' holding State to under 30% shooting for the game, and controlled the glass throughout (+15 rebounding).  In what was his best game to-date in a CU uniform, Gordon put up 12/14, with seven of those boards coming on the offensive end, and a startling six blocks.  He ripped up OSU inside, leaving a team who lives on shots at the rim with essentially nothing to show for it. Oh, sure, Gary Payton II got his, going for an incredible 26/15/3/3, but the Buffs all but snuffed out the rest of the visiting Beavers, holding GPII's teammates to 24% shooting from the floor and only 28 points overall.  In my preview I discussed how the son of the legend finally had some help this season, but Colorado all but erased that warning.

Josh Scott was the offensive fuel in this one.  From: the Post

On the offensive end it was Josh Scott (who else?) fueling CU, as the 'Big Fundamental' put up 25 on only 11 shots.  He would add 12 rebounds to make for his 9th double-double on the year, helping Gordon dominate the paint.  J40 was joined in double-figure scoring by Josh Fortune, who, quietly, had his first 'good' game since Christmas.  Going forward, the inside-out interplay of the two Joshes needs to remain a strong point for Colorado, should they have any hope of really competing in this league.

Attention now turns to a very important visit by the Oregon Ducks.  The Pac-12 is a jumbled mess right now, and only USC seems to have this whole 'conference play' thing figured out.  A win today would allow Colorado to keep pace with the tight upper echelon, as they head into a winnable road trip in the Pacific Northwest. With the frustrating loss to Utah the previous week, they can't afford many more slip ups on home hardwood, either, so best to just hold serve at the Keg and stay hot.

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Hype Music for the Evening: "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones

Listen, I know all you locals and wannabes will be tuning into the Bronco game this afternoon.  Go on, shoot your shot.  To honor y'all, here's one of my favorite tracks from the Stones' canon.  Enjoy!

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Tip-off from the Coors Events Center is set for 5pm this afternoon.  Once again, the Buffs get screwed because of NFL Playoff scheduling.  I can't help but wondering, has CU ever looked into offering to trade time slots with anyone when, invariably, a Broncos game creates a conflict?  Like, in this case, Pac-12 Networks has the Stanford/Oregon State women's game scheduled after UO/CU.  Why not just swap those?  Boom!  A quick fix, and you get a bigger audience in Colorado.  But, of course, corporate television schedules don't allow for creativity, so we're stuck with what we got.

For those still interested in seeing/listening to the Buffs today, you can catch the action on said Pac-12 Networks, with the radio call on 760AM.  If you're still coming, and want to arrive early, the practice facility will be showing the Donkeys v Steelers -- that game should be ending around the end of CU's first half, so, theoretically, you could come, watch the action in the Boedecker Gym, and head on up to your seat when it's over.  That's asking a lot, however, so I'm fully expecting to watch the game with just my fellow out-of-staters.  We got this!

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2015-16 CU vs Oregon State Basketball Preview #1: Breaking the Dam

One step forward, one step back.  The Buffs lost any momentum gained by the scrappy victory against Stanford in Palo Alto when they coughed up that late seven-point lead to the Utes.  All that accomplished is put more pressure on this weekend, when the Buffs entertain the Oregon schools.  Colorado now needs a home sweep of the Beavers and Ducks to stay relevant in the Pac-12, and it's not going to be easy.  Like everyone in this league, these two teams are very good, and full capable of winning away from home.  As always, there are no gimmies.  Damn that price of poker, can't you stay low?

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Hype Music for the Evening: "Take on Me" by Reel Big Fish

I present this cover of A-Ha's one-hit wonder by the greatest third wave ska group still around today: RBF. An old basketball band stands tune, it always got my toe tapping.  Enjoy!

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Tip-off for tonight's game is set for 9pm MT.  That's apparently not a typo.  The Pac-12, in all their media-fueled wisdom, decided a weeknight game in Boulder deserved the late time slot.  Woof.  Well, at least the students should be in the building tonight.  For those of you adults needing to get to work tomorrow, and more than happy to catch this one at home, coverage can be found on ESPNU, with the radio call on 760AM.

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Tuesday Grab Bag: The Stuff of Nightmares

Bad news, everyone!  I didn't win the lottery last Saturday.  As such, the dream of a revitalized CU Baseball program continues to lie dormant, at least for a few more days.  Don't despair just yet, Boulder-based seam heads, the Powerball pot continues to grow into Wednesday's drawing, meaning we may still get that program up and running before the end of the calendar year.  Here's to hoping!

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Today in the bag, I'm wrapping the game with Utah, taking a look at how the rest of the Pac-12 fared, and touching on last night's national championship.

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2015-16 CU vs Utah Basketball Preview #1 - A Big One in Boulder

Let's talk about what's at stake this evening when the Buffs and Utes get together.

For Utah, this is just shy of a must-win.  Having dropped their first two Pac-12 games in Northern California, to go down three straight to start the campaign, and three behind Cal, would be a death knell to any faintly remaining conference title hopes, and put a lot of their larger post season aims in jeopardy.  Even as early as it is, they will be desperate for victory, coming out firing, and surely giving Colorado their best shot.

For the Buffs, it could be the start of a really nice month of basketball. After this one against Utah, CU will host two games against the Oregon schools before heading up to the Pacific Northwest to play the Washingtons (which had been projected to be the 'easiest' road trip in conference play), and returning to host Stanford and Cal.  According to Kenpom, CU is either out-right favored (sometimes barely) or a 50/50 proposition to win each and every one of those games.  Nothing in this league is easy, but there's a decent chance that, with a win over the Utes, Colorado could springboard to an 8-1 or 7-2 start to conference play. Think about that for a second.

But, I will tell you right now that none of that is going to happen if the Buffs drop this one to Utah.  They need it for morale and momentum (read: swagger) sake. Let me put it this way: whoever wins this game will be all right.  The next month will be rosy, filled with wins, and a gateway to a NCAA Tournament berth.  The loser, however, could very well find themselves tossed from Dance contention before we even hit the year's second month.

For that reason alone, I'm begging all of BuffNation to get to the CEC for this one. The team needs a true home court advantage this evening!  I don't want to hear excuses, and I don't care about the weather or that the students are still on break.  Fill up the keg!

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Hype Music for the evening: "Big Bear and the Hour of Chaos" by Unearth

No real reason for this one, just really enjoy the track.  The kind of song I want to hear on the way to a big damn basketball game.  Enjoy!

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Tip-off from the Coors Events Center is set for 7pm this evening.  This is a big one.  So big in fact, that they've called up the Alumni Band for some instrumental support.  Yep, yours truly will be in the back of the band, laying down the beats on the tuba.  If that's not worth the price of a ticket, I don't know what is. For those not interested in the sharing of my musical gift, televised coverage can be found on Fox Sports 1.  The radio call is on AM 760.

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Tuesday Grab Bag: Salvaging a Split by the Bay

Last night, I missed what may go down as the greatest regular season college basketball game of the modern era.  Out in Lawrence, KS, the #1 KU Jayhawks and #2 OU Sooners did battle for 55 minutes of action, playing to three overtimes and the beatific adoration of the entire college basketball consuming universe.  The final - a 109-106 victory for Kansas - is one of the most intriguing lines I've seen in a while.  In defeat, Sooner Buddy Hield was so good, posting 46/8/7, that even the Jayhawk fans had to recognize, and they payed homage with a standing ovation after his post-game interview.  The whole thing was truly a game for the ages; just remember that they'll meet again in Norman on February 13th.

Kansas survives in a thriller against OU.  From: CBS Sports

I may have missed the action for a good cause - a scheduled alumni band performance at the CU/WSU women's game - but I will cop to being a little dismayed at missing this epic affair.  To make up for it, I'm carving out a block of my evening to watch the replay.  If you need me, I'll be in the Rumblin' cave, getting my DVR on.

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Today in the bag, I'm talking the men's win over Stanford, the rest of the action around the Pac-12, and some women's hoops.

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2015-16 CU vs Stanford Basketball Preview #1 - Looking for a Rebound

Well, that was unexpected.  Throughout the season, no matter the caliber of the opponent, or the venue, or the situation, the 2015-16 Colorado Buffaloes could be relied on to bring consistent intensity and grit for 40 minutes of play.  That was not the case Friday night in Berkeley, as CU was punked from tip to final horn by the Cal Bears.  It was a sight BuffNation had grown accustomed to a year ago, but not this season.  No, this season was supposed to be about a new attitude, free flowing offense, and a larger return to #TadBall principles of defense and rebounding.  All of that was thrown out against Cal, however, as the Golden Bears controlled every second of the action, en route to a commanding 79-65 final.

Yep, that look pretty much sums it up.  From: @TheGhostofMarv

Even Coach Boyle noticed the different timbre of the action, saying after the game, "It’s the first time I felt all year where we got out-toughed and really got out-scrapped and outplayed."  Quite simply, it did not look like the Buffs were ready for the ramp up in intensity and competitiveness that always comes the start of conference action.  They had been sitting idle for nine days between the end of the Las Vegas Classic and the game with Cal - an abnormally long time off between the end of non-conference play and the start of the 'second season' for Coach Boyle and crew - and the rust showed.  Colorado had routinely scheduled a game or two between Christmas and New Year's in the #RollTad era, a practice that was adjusted last year in deference to the long flight back from Hawai'i, and then outright abandoned this winter.  While I had grumbled at the time about mid-break tilts with the likes of Western New Mexico, New Orleans, and Hartford, those games served an important rhythmic purpose.  It'll be interesting to see how scheduling breaks out next season, but don't be surprised to see a return of the pre-conference cupcake after Christmas.

Regardless, Friday's stat sheet is pretty damn ugly.  Colorado allowed 52% shooting form the floor for the game, were down 10 rebounds at the end of the first half, and only generated six assists (from two players) on 21 made baskets.  Cal was able to completely disrupt everything that had made CU special over the first two months of the season, snuffing out activity in the paint without doubling to cancel any inside-out action. As a result, not a single Buff had what I would call a 'good' game, with typical scoring leaders Josh Scott and George King going a combined 8-28 on the offensive end, and numerous defensive issues springing up.  It was a combination of the Bears being better than they had shown previously this season, the Buffs being far worse, and, to top it off, almost every 50-50 bounce of the basketball seemed to go the way of the home team.  It was a perfect storm of suck, one that Colorado is lucky to escape from with only a 14-point loss.

Mathews and Okoroh had massive games against Colorado.  From: USA Today.

Unlike many, however, I'm not ready to hit the panic button.  As frustrating as the effort and execution was to watch in the dying embers of a New Year's hangover, it was the first time CU had failed to answer the bell this season.  I would only get concerned if that level of play was repeated this evening against the Stanford Cardinal.  As it is, the goal on every road trip is to get a split -- that carrot is still on the table, but that only further places emphasis on the result this evening.  It's not a 'must-win,' or any of that nonsense, but it's a game that can no longer be looked at as a simple run out.  The Buffs need to show up and play well, or the once promising season will suddenly start to get disjointed.

Tip-off from Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto is set for 8pm this evening.  Colorado has done pretty well in recent years against the Cardinal, winning each of the last four, including two trips westward in 2013 and '14. In a game they most certainly need, hopefully the Buffs will be able to keep that good run of play against Stanford rolling.  Coverage can be found ESPNU.

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2015-16 CU vs Cal Basketball Preview #1 - Poker, and its Rising Price

A happy New Year to you all, and welcome, finally, to Pac-12 play!  We in BuffNation have had to endure a drawn-out nine-day gap between games, as the Buffs have rested up following their trip to Las Vegas.  With the first taste of losing since opening day stuck in everyone's craw, I'm sure the entirety of the program, from players to coaches to fans, is eager to get back on the court.  First-up: a trip out west to the Bay Area, and the Cal Bears.  As Coach Boyle is fond of saying, the price of poker is about to go up.

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Hype Music for the Evening: "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga Eric Cartman

Did I sing this last night during the annual New Year's Eve Rock Band-a-thon?  You betcha!

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Tip-off from Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA is set for 9pm this evening.  If you're not still too hung over from your New Year's revelry, or swamped with bowl action, why not click over to Pac-12 Networks, where you'll find the broadcast (how novel).  More of a radio call person, now with the experience of the classically presented Penn State game in your back pocket?  Well, Mark Johnson's got you on... well, I'm not sure since none of the stations have it listed.  Uhhhhh... 850?  Yeah, I'll say 850.

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