While Colorado has largely righted their ship over the past three weeks, wining five of the last six they've played, Oregon State has continued to exist in a rut. They still haven't won a conference game, and, I would argue, this visit from the Buffs is their last opportunity to snag one before the entire year passes them by. I would be hard-pressed to bet on them against Utah or Oregon, even at home, or at either of the Bay Area schools next week, after all. So, expect the hosts to come out with their best punch as they hope to forestall the ignominy of a winless campaign.
What's more, CU has usually struggled in their trips to Corvallis, coming in just 1-3 at Gill Coliseum since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 (6-1 against the Beavs everywhere else). That one win was far from easy, too -- it took a 'perfect' night from Spencer Dinwiddie to steal away with the victory that day. So, while the team has been playing better as of late, this is not the kind of visit they can take for granted. Expect some ugly weirdness as this one develops... yeah, but what else is new?
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Hype Music for the Evening: State Anthem of the Soviet Union by Alexander Alexandrov (as performed in Rocky IV)
Russia back, y'all. Since the great Bear, and its possible infiltration of our executive branch, seems to be dominating the conversation these days, what better way to celebrate than with the old Soviet National Anthem? Putting aside politics, talk of totalitarian regimes, and bitter Cold War history, this is one hell of a tune. Perfect for villains and heroes, alike. Indeed, let them sing. Anyways, enjoy!
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Tip-off from Gill Coliseum in Corvallis is set for 7pm MT on Thursday. Televised coverage can be found on Pac-12 Network, with the radio call on 760AM.
For reference, my preview from the first game against OSU this season can be found here. Click below for the preview...
So, given the current run of positive play emanating from the Colorado Men's Basketball Program, can we reasonably begin to plot extraordinary paths for the team, once lost adrift a sea of losing, to somehow chart their way into the NCAA Tournament?
Simply, no.
I don't mean to undercut the happier vibes of late, but the possibility seems to be popping up every now and then among BuffNation, and I feel it needs to be addressed. Currently, the Buffs boast a RPI ranking in the low 100s -- depending on where you look, it's usually 107th in the country. That is a terrible place to be entering middle February, essentially disqualifying in its own right. Add to it the fact that CU currently has more losses to RPI 100+ teams than they have wins over teams ranked in the top-50, and the peril becomes quite clear. Colorado simply doesn't have a Tournament-worthy resume, and they're not even particularly close.
'Well,' you might ask, 'what if CU wins out in the regular season, would they have a chance then?' Again, the answer is no. While it is true that they would then boast four wins against the top-50, including two over current top-10 RPI ranked Oregon, the overall picture only brightens slightly. According to RPI Forecast, a 20-11 record would only boost Colorado up into the high 60s. With the rest of the resume the way it is, with three ugly losses still on the docket, a high-60s RPI wouldn't be enough. Further wins in the Pac-12 Tournament could help here, especially with a favorable draw, but, by that time, you're asking to hit a point on far too many successive rolls of the dice to make any statistical sense.
Really, the only shot the Buffs have at landing a golden ticket into the field of 68 is a mad-dash sprint in Las Vegas, akin to the magic they pulled off in 2012. If you want to take those long-shot odds, at least you'll be in the appropriate venue to do so.
Sorry, but the best-case scenario at this point is continued winning, a nice seed in the NIT, and a run for NYC. After the ups and the downs of the past few months, though, would that be all that bad of a future?
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Today in the bag, I'm talking the win over WSU, the fuel behind the revivification taking place in the CEC, and how the rest of the Pac-12 fared this weekend.
The pregame notes tolled like the mourners' bells ahead of a funeral procession. Xavier Johnson: out. Wes Gordon: out. Deleon Brown: out. Bryce Peters: possibly out (though he would eventually suit up). Over from the Washington locker room, in addition to the continuing absence of Malik Dime (who still found a way to participate), came the most damning bit of news. Markelle Fultz: out. Before the ball had even been tipped, the two teams were down five key rotational figures and a whole hell of a lot of talent.
For Colorado, they were still trying to play past whatever off-court lunacy the fifth-year seniors had gotten themselves involved in. While I had previously likened that effort to going into a fight with an arm tied behind your back, for UW to be without the services of the super-freshman Fultz, who sat with a sore knee, it was like entering a fight with an arm tied behind their back, a leg lopped off, and a viscous stab wound already in the gut. They simply did not have the capability, with Markelle out, to seriously challenge even the short-handed version of the Colorado Buffaloes that took the court. In the end, the Buffs were able to leverage that talent gap, along with good ball movement and balanced play, into a blowout performance. 81-66, CU; now four wins in five games.
Fultz's absence changed the game before it even started. From: Seattle Times
With all those talents resting on the bench, the resulting discordance in effort was as to be expected. The first half was awash with errors; chaotic play was the rule. There was a stretch at one point that featured four turnovers in 10 seconds, the rock flying back and forth like a ping-pong ball. You know how in older versions of the 2k series of basketball games you could set the computer to play itself? An interesting simulation, sure, but the visual product was always fraught with janky movement and clipping issues to no end. That's what it looked like I was watching early Thursday night -- glitchy, poorly-rendered basketball.
Lucky, then, that Washington clearly posed little threat. What was true of UW with Fultz (they can't play defense) was still true without him, only now they couldn't score. The Buffs put up 1.25 points per possession, shot 51% from the floor, and produced 48 points in the paint, even with only Tory Miller acting as a classic post presence. Defensively, Colorado held their opponent to around 43% shooting, forced more turnovers (14) than they allowed assists (10), and stilted UW into long, listless possessions. The second half was a white-wash. CU would only out-play their opponent by four points in the frame, but they never looked troubled. Over the final 20 minutes, the Buffs committed just two turnovers, and got essentially whatever shot they wanted. The Huskies simply couldn't do anything that resembled what I would call 'competent basketball,' yet another reminder that, while they have a decent set of talent on the roster, it's a rotten product from the Apple State.
King had a monster game against the Huskies. From: @CUBuffsMBB
The best individual performances on the night came from Derrick White and George King. White went for 16/4/3 against zero turnovers, and chipped in this coast-to-coast drive into a dunk that made the Huskies look like runty pups. King had one of his best single games of his collegiate career, going for 21/12, and playing active defense. Past them, however, what most caught my eye was the play of two freshmen - Lucas Siewert and Bryce Peters. With Johnson and Gordon out, they've been getting a number of extra minutes (Siewert, in fact, got 30 against UW). They took advantage in this one, giving BuffNation a glimpse of seasons-yet-to-come by combining for 22/8/6. Lucas was looking comfortable in the offense, really for the first time, firing off his jumper, understanding space and positioning, and taking advantage of what was available. Bryce was similarly incredible, dishing out six assists, and repeatedly playing above the rim. If Colorado continues to get these kinds of efforts from the pair of frosh, they'll be in great hands next winter.
Moving past the UW game, the Buffs look to continue their roll of late, seeking their fifth win in six games when the Washington State Cougars come to town on Sunday. It's another good pickup opportunity for the Buffs, who are still behind the eight-ball when it comes to post-season positioning. If dreams of the NIT are still alive, it's a game the Buffs had better win.
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Hype Music for the Evening: "Mrs Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
A little on the nose for the Cougars, don't you think? The classic folk song from the masters of the art, Simon & Garfunkel, was prominently featured in The Graduate. Yes, Mrs Robinson is trying to seduce you. Enjoy!
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Tip-off from the CEC is set for 6:30p MT on Sunday. Televised coverage can be found on ESPNU, with the radio call on 850 KOA.
For reference, my preview from the first game against WSU this season can be found here.
The first re-match of the season! I have always loved this aspect of conference play, where you get to see the same team for a second time. What did you learn from the first meeting? Who has improved since? How have the narratives changed? How big of an advantage is home court, really? The second time around is always more intriguing than the first. Can't wait!
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Hype Music for the Evening: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by the Temptations
The last great hit from soul titans The Temptations, 'Papa' is an indulgent instrumental excursion interspersed by three lyrcial verses. The groove is outstanding, the story emotionally powerful, and the composition of the disparate pieces is unparalleled. Simply incredible. Enjoy!
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Tip-off from the Coors Events Center is set for 8pm Thursday evening. Coverage for those unable to make it up to Boulder can be found on FS1. The radio call is schedule for AM760.
For reference, my preview from the first game against UW this season can be found here.
So, let's talk about Xavier Johnson and Wes Gordon. Riding a three game winning streak into Sunday's matinee performance against Cal, Colorado found themselves stuck without the services of either fifth-year senior forward. The reason? Both were suspended at least one game for a violation of team rules. The substance behind their suspension is still unknown at this time; all Coach Boyle said after the game was:
"It was one of those situations where two really really good kids made a bad decision so we had to address it. We're going to handle it and we're going to move on from it. That's really all I have to say is they did something they shouldn't have done and we're handling it. Two terrific young men and they'll be back." - link
That the two veterans would do something dumb enough to earn themselves a suspension is disappointing, both in terms of the example they set for their younger teammates and the bind their absence put the team in against the forecourt-forward Golden Bears (more on that later). What I want to talk about now, though, has to do with this picture, and the response to it across BuffNation:
From: @Pride_Tradition
That's a pretty bad look from the pair, and it wasn't the only time the cameras caught them looking mirthful despite their situation. In the midst of a game where your teammates are getting blown apart, in no small part because you aren't available to play, images of smiling jocularity certainly aren't going to play well to the fanbase. Branding failure.
That said, XJ and Wes aren't professionals, and they aren't a brand. They're kids, friends, and, especially in XJ's case, emotionally exuberant to a fault. What, were you expecting them to be off in the corner, looking morose and self-flagellating every time the camera panned over? They're in their early 20s -- they're going to crack jokes in down time, even in the midst of discipline. That's just human nature.
Yes, the pair certainly deserve a chunk of the blame for Colorado's 11th loss on the year; the old "DNP -- Coach's Decision" is, and will ever be, ugly. However, anyone running around using phrases like 'kick them off the team' or 'sit them the rest of the year' for a few laughs on the sideline, not the act they actually performed to earn the discipline, is an idiot. Those two knuckleheads cracking up on the sideline is far from the worst of this team's problems, after all.
Coach Boyle will talk to them. This will be the bug in their ear for every extra wind sprint thrown their way till the end of the season. And they'll 'deserve it,' too, That's part of coaching, and of growing up, generally. But a smile, a laugh, is not a crime, and we fans should not treat it like one.
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Today in the bag, I've got just two topics for y'all, since I didn't watch any football over the weekend. I'm talking the loss to Cal, and how the rest of the Pac-12 fared in Week 6 of conference play.
New coach, same result for the Stanford Cardinal against the Colorado Buffaloes: loss. As has happened every time these two programs have met since February of 2012, the Buffs looked comfortable and composed against their red and white clad foes Thursday evening in Palo Alto. They controlled the glass, shared the basketball, and hit open jumpers, racing out ahead of the hosts at a pace the offensively challenged Cardinal couldn't hope to match. By the end of the game, Stanford just looked out of gas, giving the Buffs an easy-ish ride to the finish of a solid 81-74 win.
Some weirdness aside, the Buffs were able to deftly slip past Stanford. From: the AP
This was a different narrative from the Oregon game last weekend. Colorado didn't show the same defensive intensity they had displayed against the Ducks at home, and were much looser with the basketball (23 turnovers, which... I don't know, man). From a shot-making perspective, though, they were on their game. CU was hitting 53% from the field, helped by 19 assists on 26 baskets. It wasn't perfect offense, but it was effective.
The primary fuel for the performance, on both ends of the court, was provided in the form of Derrick White. The D-II transfer was at his all-around best Thursday night, putting up 19 points on just eight shots, to go along with eight boards, eight assists, four blocks, and a pair of steals. He was clearly a step ahead of any Cardinal who dared try to keep him in check, blanketing the game with his skill, particularly in the second half. Please excuse me, but I couldn't help but think back to the days when the great Spencer Dinwiddie used to do the same at the head of the Colorado attack -- White was that good on Thursday, and the key difference between winning and losing.
But, I can't talk about Derrick's ability to make stat-stuffing look so easy all day. I also have to talk about the turnovers. Nearly a third of all Colorado possessions ended in one. All 11 of the Buffs who saw action against the Cardinal committed at least one. Forwards Tory Miller and Wesley Gordon, the primary culprits, each had four to tie for the team lead. The turnovers came in every imaginable shape: travels, wayward passes, offensive fouls, poor focus on the dribble; you name it. Sloppy basketball to a 'T.' Luckily, Stanford was incapable of making Colorado pay, as the Buffs kept canning shots whenever they managed to complete a possession. I guess the basketball gods were asleep at the switch, with the game ending past 11pm, otherwise they would've dropped the hammer on CU for their malfeasance with the rock.
Good rebounding numbers made up for the turnovers. From: the AP
Overall, though, a weird game, which is what I've come to expect in this series. Beyond the turnovers, and the Cardinal's inability to turn them into meaningful offense at home, there was:
George King going all 21 of his minutes without scoring a point.
The first 10 minutes of the game going by largely unnoticed as the Pac-12 Network stuck with the double-OT Cal/Utah game
A foul being called on Deleon Brown for getting shoved in the back
The anemic-shooting Cardinal self-inflicting 19 three-point attempts
A kicked ball whistle late in the action when the ball touched no feet.
Just some weird, wacky, wild stuff. I'll assume peyote was involved.
Anyway, attention now turns to Sunday's trip to Cal. Whereas the Buffs have done well against Stanford over the years, they have struggled to do the same against the Bears, particularly in Berkeley. This will be a good test, then, to see how much mojo CU really has ginned up for themselves over their recent three-game win streak. 'Cause, if they can steal a win in this one, the schedule opens up a bit for them...
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Hype Music for the Afternoon: "Telegraph Avenue ('Oakland' by Lloyd)" by Childish Gambino
From the edges of Silicon Valley, the Buffs now head up to East Bay. And, forgive me Berkeley, but if you're talking East Bay, first comes Oakland. Gambino, with an assist from Lloyd, has us here. Stick with the video til the end... it takes a turn. Enjoy!
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Tip-off from Haas Pavilion in Berkeley is set for 2:30pm MT on Sunday. Your Super Bowl party can wait, so give the Buffs their due, and flip over to ESPNU to catch the action. The radio call will be 850 KOA.
Remember February 23rd, 2012? That was the night Stanford walked into the Coors Events Center, and destroyed Colorado on their home floor, 74-50. The Cardinal shot near-50% from the field that night, and was allowed to out-rebound CU 50-26. Let me say that again, FIFTY TO FUCKING TWENTY-SIX. It was a loss was so disheartening, so nausea-inducing, that my recap consisted of an Alf re-run and nothing else. I still feel justified.
The most interesting storyline to come out of that game, however, was not the rebounding margin (though those numbers still inflame). Instead, it's the fact that Colorado hasn't lost to Stanford since. Go ahead, look it up. 6-0; three wins in Boulder, three wins on the Farm. I'll call it divine retribution for the wanton pillaging that occurred five years ago.
The Buffs will certainly be eager to keep that streak alive this evening. Coming off a homestand that served as a reset button for a season gone sour, any opportunity to extend the run of good feelings is welcome. A trip to Maples Pavilion - a place where CU has had success - against a Stanford team that has proven to be inconsistent this season, is just such an opportunity. Here's to hoping that CU can keep the mojo running, and steal out of Palo Alto with the win.
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Hype Music for the Evening: "Fake Tales of San Francisco" by the Arctic Monkeys
We refer to Palo Alto as Bay Area, essentially San Francisco, but it's a relative world away from The City. Somewhat like Fort Collins Kids claiming the cow-town up north is Denver-area. What a fitting song to tab for the evening, then; a story of people slinging lies about gigs they've never played, associations they should never be able to make, to play up an image. Enjoy!
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The late shift again; tip-off from Maples Pavilion is set for 9pm MT on Thursday. If you can afford to stay awake that late, coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks. The Radio call will be on 760AM.
