Air Force Wrap and 2014-15 CU vs Lipscomb Basketball Teaser

I'll admit to being a little nervous in the opening minutes of Tuesday night's game against the Air Force Falcons.  How could I not be, having returned from the poor showing in Wyoming, only to bear witness to five consecutive CU turnovers over the opening possessions against the Academy?  It was more of the same; lazy passing, an inability to cut into the lane, passive action off the ball. Throw in another round of discipline issues - Askia Booker was bench for academic 'issues,' Wes Gordon for repeated tardiness - and there was more than enough reason for the low murmurs and harried glances from those in attendance as the Falcons took a quick five point lead.

Then, the red sea parted, and Dom Collier stepped onto the court.  In only his second game as a collegian, the freshman from Denver East entered the fray to serve as a salve to the lackadaisical offensive action of his teammates. The difference was night and day.  Collier had no problems making the extra pass, the simple pass, to pop open a teammate.  More than that, his efforts were contagious.  Suddenly, everyone in white wanted to move without the ball, fire off the smart pass, and put in the work to break down the defense. He forced the action and the pace, uplifting the Buffs, and igniting a 25-0 run that all but ended the competitive portion of the evening.  CU would slack back off in the second half, but cruised to a comfortable 68-53 win.

Collier came in like a breath of fresh air.  From: BuffStampede.com

Dom's final line: three points, six assists, zero turnovers, and four rebounds in 23 minutes.  Outside of the A:T ratio, nothing really pops off the page, but if you watched the game, you know exactly what he meant to Colorado on Tuesday.  With Josh Scott getting the shackles treatment from his hometown Falcons, Booker on the bench for the first 20 minutes, and turnovers plaguing the others, CU needed a spark, and Collier provided it.  The power of a dedicated point guard (and the simple play) at work.  I'm not ready to put the cart completely before the horse, but I feel the more I see of the composed freshman on the court, the better at this point.

Of course, going forward, the emergence of Collier as a necessary component to the offense has created a log jam for minutes at the point guard spot.  Ski Booker (assuming he can clear his way past repeated benchings to get back onto the court), Xavier Talton, Jaron Hopkins, and Collier are all fighting for playing time running the offense.  My argument would be that none of the other three have proven capable of running the show this fall - Ski would be better used as a '2' guard, Talton seems hesitant with his passes, and Hopkins has been inconsistent with his dribble-drive; none seem able to feed the fronted post - but the fact remains that all are expected to get their time at the point.  With non-conference play ticking down, today's game against Lipscomb marks an interesting opportunity for that rotation to shake down a little bit more.

Speaking of, the Bisons (sic) come to Boulder, having left their Nashville home for the first time this season. They've yet to beat a Division 1 team in 2014-15, having clipped two D2 schools (Berry and Transylvania, who, unfortunately, are not the Vampires), but lost to Vanderbilt and Belmont (twice).  Not much is expected of them nationally, but, within their depleted Atlantic Sun Conference, they could challenge for a league title.

Coach Alexander is relatively new at Lipscomb.

Coach Casey Alexander is on his second season at the helm of the Bisons (the added 's' is their style, but it makes me think they don't have an English Department), having come over from fellow A-Sun also-ran Stetson.  He began his career, however, at rival Belmont, his alma mater, so it's like CU hiring a Jayhawk to lead things... oh, wait...  Their 10-8 finish last season was good value from his first run at Lipscomb, and they return four starters from '13-'14.  Overall, Alexander likes to play fast (*rubs hands together*), usually playing to just over 70 possessions, at about 16 seconds per.  Expect a lot of threes from this bunch, as they're 16th nationally in 3PA/FGA ratio.

The Smiths, twin senior forwards Martin and Malcolm, headline the roster.  Each a four-year starter, Martin is probably the better of the two, and finished fourth in the A-Sun last winter in scoring.  They work off of the sophomore backcourt duo of Josh Williams and J.C. Hampton.  Both a conference All-Freshmen selection a season ago, I think they're better shooters than they've shown so far this fall.  All four are capable of chipping in double-digit points on a given evening.  Sophomore power forward Brett Wishon is probably their biggest threat up front, but nothing that CU hasn't seen before.

Martin Smith is Lipscomb's best.

These Bisons (still sic) are not a complete pushover, and could make some noise once they get to conference action.  However, they play at a pace which should be comfortable for the Buffs, and are making their first true road trip of the year.  Unless they get red hot from behind the arc, they're going to struggle at this altitude, with that pace.  Even if they keep up through the first half, I expect CU to roll big into the final minutes of the second.  The focus today should be personnel rotation, defense (big test for the close outs on the edge), and dominating the glass.  The win shouldn't be that big of a sweat.

Tip-off from the CEC is set for high noon today. For those without a ticket, coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks.  The radio call, because of the Broncos, has been pushed to 760 AM, but don't let the Donkeys be your excuse to miss the Buffs.  They won't kick off til 6:30, so get your ass to Boulder!

GO BUFFS!  PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE BISONS (sic)!

Friday Beer Post: 2014 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - Utah 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!"

It's Ute week, so the honorary beer selection is Polygamy Porter from Wasatch Brewery. Indeed, why have just one?

The real selection, however, comes from the Bruery in Plascentia, CA.  I was thinking about all the frustration of the 2014 football season - the near misses, the quarterback controversy, and the seventh straight year of mounting losses - and my mind, somehow, turned to sour beers.  The Bruery has some great ones, and I'm tabbing their Sour in the Rye as this week's gameday beer-o-the-week.

I'm not a huge fan of sours.  If I'm going to wreck my palate, I usually want to do it with a blast of hops. Every now and then, however, a good sour - made by letting wild yeasts and bacteria into the brewing process - can make for an appealing taste adventure.  Sour in the Rye fell into this category yesterday afternoon, as the itis from Thanksgiving dinner gave way to a jonesing for pie.  As I was putting away portions of my famous rum-cherry concoction, I was told to try it with some of this.  The flavors paired magnificently, and I was immediately sold.  In true Turkey Day tradition, give me more, give me more, give me more.

The beer is aged in oak barrels, which, to my tongue, mellows out some of the sharper, more acidic flavors. I got notes of vanilla, sour apple, and cherry, combined with a slightly spicy/woody tone.  As I said, it goes very well with fruit pies.  For sipping only, it comes in at 7.6%.  Brew shops with a deep bench might have some, so ask for it, if you're open to something different.  It'll go great with those leftovers still sitting in your fridge.

Happy Friday! Go Buffs, beat the Utes!

2014 Utah Football Preview: the Finish Line

Finally, the finish line.  It's been an interesting year, football, but I think we're all in need of a palate cleanser. At least I am.  See you in March.

Kickoff from beautiful Folsom Field is set for 11am on Saturday.  Yes, tomorrow; just like last year, we can't have Friday football after Turkey Day.  Everyone was so intent on killing this rivalry before it started that it's just another Saturday game now. Sure glad we chose to dismiss, out-of-hand, the only geographical rivalry that made sense in this league. *sigh*  Let's just keep waiting for USC to give a shit about the Black and Gold... still waiting...

Anyway, the game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.  The radio call is on 850 KOA.  AKA, the usual.

Click below for the preview...

2014-15 CU vs Air Force Basketball Teaser: Why Do We Fall?

"Why do we fall?" The classic question from Batman Begins leads to the knowing response, "So that we can learn to pick ourselves up."  The Buffs certainly fell hard Saturday in Laramie, getting smacked around by the Cowboys in a game that ranked up there with the Kansas trip two years ago, or the Tournament letdown against Pitt last March.  My view of this team is not essentially changed by Saturday, but my eyebrow is raised.  I saw regression, I saw exhaustion, I saw questioned looks, rather than leadership.  As Will Whelan said, I'm just confused; for a veteran group who has been through the wringer before, I didn't think what we saw over the weekend was possible.

Luckily, that is not the final word on the matter.  Given a few days of practice, and few sessions in the video room, CU has an opportunity to learn an early lesson about responding to adversity.  The team on the floor in Wyoming is not the team that I expect to see tonight, next week, next month, or beyond.  I expect them to force tempo through their dedication on defense; I expect them to share the ball, and be aggressive on offense; I expect them to dictate their will, rather than accept what's at their feet.  I expect the Buffs to learn from what happened, and pick themselves up.

Pilipovich is up against a wounded CU team, looking to regain their mojo.

Hopefully hitting the reset button, the Buffs welcome the Air Force Falcons this evening.  This is head coach Dave Pilipovich's fourth season at the helm in the Springs.  While he seems to be a much better (certainly, better received) option that predecessor Jeff Reynolds, he's struggled to keep up with the surging Mountain West, and has posted a sub-.500 record since taking over.  This season, Pilipovich is at the head of a team in search of confidence and consistency, despite returning four starters.  While the Falcons are 3-1 on the year, they've only played two Division I opponents - splitting with Army and The Citadel in the All-Military Classic.  I'm not sure anyone has a great read on them yet, but it'd be a stretch to assume that they'll go on to sniff the upper table in the MWC.

The Falcons lost a lot when their leading scorer from 2013-14, 'Tre Coggins, and an emerging post threat, Darrius Parker, decided to transfer.  Coggins, who already seemed to be on his way out after an extended suspension last season, would've been particularly useful as a reliable scorer.  In his stead, senior guard Max Yon is headlining the show in Colorado Springs, chipping in over 17 points per game.  The 6-4, 200 lb Texan is over 50% from three through four games, and will need to be watched off the screen.  That actually goes for all of the Falcons, as 95% of all their attempts from deep are assisted.

Yon is the best the Falcons have to offer.

Yon pairs with 6-5 senior Kamryn Williams.  A local kid from the Springs, Williams boasts a high work rate, and is currently 7th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (yes, I know, sample size...). The undersized forward picks his spots, but is the kind of player who loves to frustrate you with his hustle and positioning.

Beyond Williams, the team really only has two other forwards of any size - 6-9 senior Marek Olesinski and 6-11 junior Zach Moer (a role player who should see a little more action against the taller Buffs). Neither, however, should be much of a challenge for the CU front line; watch Olesinski on the perimeter, though, as he takes almost half his shots from beyond the arc.

Olesinski is one of few Falcons with any real size.

Beyond the obvious, the departure of Coggins also opened the door for freshman Matt Mooney to lead the team from the point guard spot.  He's still struggling with the transition to collegiate ball, particularly on the defensive end, but does have a nice assist rate (3:1 - A:T).

There's a few similarities to Wyoming, at least stylistically.  The Falcons will play slow (282nd in adjusted tempo), throw some zone out there, shoot a lot of threes, and move the ball around.  Athletically, however, the similarities cease to exist. The Cowboys are a much more dynamic team, have a lot more inside the paint, and hit the boards with much more authority.  Hell, Air Force gave up 12 offensive boards of Colorado Christian; there's just no excuse for the Buffs not owning the post tonight.

As a result, I just can't see anything but a solid CU win coming out of this one.  My guess is that Colorado will storm out out of the gate before hitting a lull, giving Coach Boyle just enough ammunition for halftime. The final 20 minutes will be a measured pounding, nothing too obscene, that gets the Buffs back in the win column.  It's all about speeding the game up from the defensive end, and using the home crowd.  Let's see how nasty CU is after getting bruised up north.

Tip-off from the CEC is set for 7pm this afternoon. Ah, finally, back to normal service!  For those without a ticket, coverage can be found on Pac-12 Networks.  The radio call, now with more Mark Johnson (!), is back on 850 KOA

GO BUFFS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE FALCONS!

Monday Grab Bag: The Return of the Wyoming Curse

I'd like to first state, for the visiting fan, a roadie from Denver/Boulder to Laramie is ridiculously easy, given good weather.  The total round trip is four hours, and, if you take 287, the drive is worth it from an aesthetics standpoint.  Laramie itself is little but a blip on the map, but it has some nice spots to hit and hangout before the game (I went to the Crowbar).  The Arena-Auditorium is also a nice place to watch a game; a comfortable Pit-esque facility with good sight lines.  It it weren't for CU constantly getting their ass kicked up there, I'd have no problem with the series getting extended.

That said, however, after what I saw this weekend, it'll be a cold day in hell before I'll want the Buffs to trek back up there.  I give in, the Wyo curse is real and insurmountable.  I'd rather go back to Lawrence.

--

Today in the bag, I'm talking the debacle on the high plains, the perfunctory loss in Eugene, and the Banana Stand salvaging a tough Saturday.

Click below for the bag...

2014-15 CU vs Wyoming Basketball Teaser: the First Road Trip

This will be the last meeting for CU and Wyoming on the hardwood for some time.  Coach Boyle, having sweated it out against the Cowboys the last three meetings, has decided to let the series expire after the four-game contract concludes on Saturday.

Part of me is sad to see this series fade away.  I look at it as a tough, regional rivalry that adds character to the non-conference schedule, if not gravitas.  It's a good contrast in styles, and generally an entertaining contest. Of course, the other part of me is more than happy to put the 'Pokes in the rearview.  With the home win last November, the Buffs improved to 7-16 against Wyo since 1982.   I've taken it as a humbling test of will; CU has a nemesis, and it wears Shit Brown and Piss Yellow. They've always played Colorado tough, and the risk involved at this point - a win over the Cowboys usually doesn't do much for the RPI - just isn't worth the effort required.

Who wouldn't like to keep fun moments like this one on the schedule *sigh*

Going forward, Boyle hinted that he wants to get other regional programs involved.  Specifically, he name-checked Northern Colorado and Denver.  Fair enough, but, if CU is going to stay in region, I'd much rather them aim higher, like New Mexico, or even, *cough*, Nebraska.  Why not play the Lobos at the Pepsi Center?  I bet that'd draw a decent crowd. (Look at me try to give away the best home court advantage in the West, *sigh*)

But, that's for the future; the present is all about this afternoon's visit to Laramie.  It's an important game for both sides.  Obviously, for CU, this is all about resume building, and, as the first road test of the season, it marks an important right of passage on the path to the Dance. For the Cowboys, this is the red-letter date of their non-conference schedule.  They have some tough games remaining on the road (against SMU and Cal), but the visit from Colorado is, by far, their sexiest home game before New Year's Day.  Not only is this a big rivalry game for them, but also a big night for their fan base, who will have to sit through a slew of contests against teams currently in the KenPom 300+ in the coming weeks.

Shayatt's second run in Laramie has been increasingly successful.

Much like with the Buffs, the soft home schedule is probably a factor of teams simply not wanting to climb up the 7,000+ feet of altitude to take them on.  With good reason, as, not only is the trip to the Gem City of the Plains a difficult one, but the Cowboys are a good team this year, to boot.  Head coach Larry Shyatt, who has had his bunch in the CBI each of the last three seasons, may finally have the pieces in place to break into the NIT, or even, *gasp*, the NCAA Tournament.  They return four of five starters from '13-'14, and should contend in the top-half of the Mountain West.

Key to their success is the healthy return of senior forward Larry Nance, Jr.  The lanky 6-8 Ohio product was First-Team All-MWC a year ago, as he lead the team in points (15.4), rebounds (8.6), blocks (2.1), and steals (1.4) per game.  An ACL tear in his right knee, however, derailed what was a strong junior campaign, and really hurt the Cowboys.  Without him, Wyoming went 1-6, and tumbled out of NIT contention.

Nance, Jr. is easily the best player on Wyoming

Assuming he's made a complete recovery, the senior's presence in the lineup makes the 'Pokes a much more difficult animal to take on.  A completely different challenge from Auburn Cinmeon Bowers, Nance will give multiple looks from the forward slot, shifting from the post to the wing as necessary.  I still would take either Josh Scott or Wes Gordon over him, but there's not many other forwards in this timezone who can hold a candle to Larry. Nance will pair up front with Derek Cooke, a bulkier forward who stays inside.

The backcourt features Colorado native Riley Grabau.  The hero of Boulder High's 2011 run to the state final is a strong shooter (shot 42% from deep last season), and really feeds off of kick-outs from forwards like Nance and Cooke.  He pairs well with another Colorado product, junior Josh Adams.  The 6-2 spark plug is also a good shooter, but aditionally adds an athletic dimension to the guard corps. Between them, they can rain threes if you're not closing out the perimeter.

Boulder's own Grabau has come into his own at Wyo.

What makes this matchup so difficult for CU is the slow, measured pace that the Cowboys like the employ. They revel in possession basketball, and generally take over 20 seconds per set.  Since Shyatt came back to Laramie, the Cowboys have finished no higher than 343rd in average possession length, making every trip down the court a battle of wills.  For a team like Colorado, who likes to get out and run a bit, it can be very frustrating. The 'Pokes will also throw some zone out there, which really gets in CU's head.  If the Buffs can steal out of Wyoming with a win, it will tell us a lot about this team.

It's going to be tough, but I think the Buffs should be able to earn that big victory.  A good, deep veteran team like Colorado should perform well on the road, and the forward strength on the team should neutralize the versatile Nance.  Believe me, it's going to be ugly, it's going to be tense, it's going to be #TadBall, but I see a close CU win.

Tip-off from the Arena-Auditorium in beautiful Laramie is set for 4pm this afternoon. For those making the drive up, it's supposed to be a clear day, so we all caught a break. Coverage for those who aren't making the drive can be found on ESPN3 (the streaming service).  The radio call, sans Mark Johnson, will be on AM 760 - because: football.

GO BUFFS! PROVE ME RIGHT, AND BEAT THE COWBOYS!

Friday Beer Post: 2014 Gameday Beer-o-the-week - Wyoming 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!"

All apologies to the football team, but I'm headed up to Laramie tomorrow for the basketball game, leaving any hope of a football watch party non-existent.  That doesn't mean that beer isn't on the menu, however.  I fully plan on getting up to the home of the Cowboys with more than enough time to put away a few before entering the stadium.  When in Rome...

So, what will I be drinking?  Well, I think it needs to fit with the ouvre of the region.  I hate to be stereotypical, but, when I think Wyoming (after I get past the gusting winds and barren terrain), I think rednecks hunting game.  With that in mind, there's only one option: Busch in a trophy/camo can.  It's this week's gameday beer-o-the-week.

Oh my, is this a nasty pick.  Not only am I painting with a broad brush about our rural neighbors to the north, but Busch is a truly horrible beverage.  This is the stuff that Budweiser doesn't think is good enough to get the full 'King of Beers' treatment, watered down and re-packaged for consumption.  An 'economy' version of an already terrible product.  *LOL*, I bet you weren't expecting to see this pop up in the beer post today.

This is, of course, an American adjunct lager, otherwise known as a macro-brew.  The ingredients are sub-par and homogeneous, the taste is off-putting and slightly metallic, and it'll give you a wicked upset stomach. If that isn't a hard sell for this beast, I don't know what is!  You can find it everywhere third-rate beers are sold, often in quantities you'd rather not admit to purchasing.  Why not buy a rack of these, and get weird!


Happy Friday!  Go Buffs, beat the Cowboys (and Ducks too)!