Credit where it's due

[Buffnik]

Thorough ass kicking.

I think a fan of either team would say that Arizona played well tonight and CU played terrible, but regardless UA is quite a bit better this year.

Best defense I have seen all year. Impressive.

If they play like they did tonight when they get to the Dance, they've got the talent to be a Final Four team.

Good luck to them.

And hopefully our Buffs use this as motivation, fix what happened tonight, and take care of business in these last few games. Moment was clearly too big for this young team. They need to grow from it.

 

[J.R. Ewing]

Terrific performance from Arizona. We didn't belong on the same floor with them tonight.

 

[buff190]

I honestly don't believe I have ever heard of a team shooting 84% in a half. Our defense was almost non existent.

Complete opposite on the other end of the court, UofA defense was amazing. I don't think we had one open shot the entire game. They were really quick to the ball. The result was a lot of forced and rushed shots.

It was a pretty complete ***-whoopin'! Hope the guys can come back from this.

 

[CVilleBuff]

I hope we take this and use it to our advantage for this final push. Wouldn't be the first time a team turned a late February loss into a positive for March. Get angry, Buffs. You're better than you showed and you've got a point to prove in SLC.

 

[Deleted member 807]

Tad's post-game comments indicated that the upcoming film study of this game is going to involve some people getting called out. He was sick to his stomach for disappointing the C-Unit, the fans, and seniors Mills and Gamble, all of whom deserve better. He said he was going to live with this game for a long time, because the next time CU plays at the CEC is next season.

The next few days are going to tell as a lot about how well Boyle motivates his players. The team will either pack it in or will rally against Utah and the Bay-Area schools.

There are no easy games left on the schedule. The Buffs are going to have to dig deep to steel a win and pull out of a pre Conf tourney skid.

 

[cubuffs85]

Not to say I told you so, but I did question the decision to start Ben Mills before the game. And I was met with "it will get the crowd fired up."

Now I'm not saying starting Ben Mills is WHY we lost but it didn't help and definitely contributed in my mind. I get Tad wanted to reward one his first recruits, but this isn't 2005, this is a very important game in our journey for a Tourney bid. If we had little to play for, I could've understood.

 

[Uncle Ken]

Not to say I told you so, but I did question the decision to start Ben Mills before the game. And I was met with "it will get the crowd fired up."

Now I'm not saying starting Ben Mills is WHY we lost but it didn't help and definitely contributed in my mind. I get Tad wanted to reward one his first recruits, but this isn't 2005, this is a very important game in our journey for a Tourney bid. If we had little to play for, I could've understood.

Well, the crowd was fired up. All credit to Arizona in this one.

 

[cubuffs85]

Tad's post-game comments indicated that the upcoming film study of this game is going to involve some people getting called out. He was sick to his stomach for disappointing the C-Unit, the fans, and seniors Mills and Gamble, all of whom deserve better. He said he was going to live with this game for a long time, because the next time CU plays at the CEC is next season.

The next few days are going to tell as a lot about how well Boyle motivates his players. The team will either pack it in or will rally against Utah and the Bay-Area schools.

There are no easy games left on the schedule. The Buffs are going to have to dig deep to steel a win and pull out of a pre Conf tourney skid.

We got a week to prepare for Utah, not going to be an easy game, but winnable nonetheless. I think we'll take one of the two Bay Area games. Losing four straight to end the year would leave our chances very much at the hands of the committee (excluding another potential bad loss in the P12 Tourney). Winning one more should just about do it. Two would be icing on the cake.

 

[Buffnik]

Not to say I told you so, but I did question the decision to start Ben Mills before the game. And I was met with "it will get the crowd fired up."

Now I'm not saying starting Ben Mills is WHY we lost but it didn't help and definitely contributed in my mind. I get Tad wanted to reward one his first recruits, but this isn't 2005, this is a very important game in our journey for a Tourney bid. If we had little to play for, I could've understood.

I think you can throw out the first half as having any impact on whether CU won or lost tonight. Within 6 at the break with all of the Arizona bigs on the edge of foul trouble. That game was lost when Arizona responded to a small CU run that got the score within 2 possessions by them hitting a couple 3s, CU not answering, and UA not letting off the gas the rest of the way while the Buffs folded.

 

[cubuffs85]

Well, the crowd was fired up. All credit to Arizona in this one.

The crowd could be very fired up to see me on the court, it doesn't do much good when you are liability. If it works, it's a great move. It didn't work in this case. It was his first start since high school. I don't think this was the game to take such a bold step.

 

[Uncle Ken]

The crowd could be very fired up to see me on the court, it doesn't do much good when you are liability. If it works, it's a great move. It didn't work in this case. It was his first start since high school. I don't think this was the game to take such a bold step.

I think you missed the tone of my response.

 

[CVilleBuff]

We got a week to prepare for Utah, not going to be an easy game, but winnable nonetheless. I think we'll take one of the two Bay Area games. Losing four straight to end the year would leave our chances very much at the hands of the committee (excluding another potential bad loss in the P12 Tourney). Winning one more should just about do it. Two would be icing on the cake.

I'm telling you, a loss like this serves as a wakeup call that will have us in the mindset to do the scrapping necessary to beat the Utes. We've got a serious motivational tool. A loss like this sucks, but instead of being full of ourselves for a week, we're going to be chomping at the bit to put this behind us. Our staff is going to turn a negative into a positive. We may not win, but we're going to come ready to play. I don't buy that this destroys our confidence. Basketball season is long, and we had our off night fail of the season. We're moving on

 

[cubuffs85]

I think you can throw out the first half as having any impact on whether CU won or lost tonight. Within 6 at the break with all of the Arizona bigs on the edge of foul trouble. That game was lost when Arizona responded to a small CU run that got the score within 2 possessions by them hitting a couple 3s, CU not answering, and UA not letting off the gas the rest of the way while the Buffs folded.

I don't really agree here. I think we were lucky to be down six at the half. But if the game starts out differently (a regular lineup), who knows what happens. I just have a problem with Tad basically putting loyalty over winning here. I just don't think the first half was totally irrelevant because we somehow made it a game by the end of the first half. Today wasn't our day and not playing the optimal lineup against our toughest competition didn't help matters.

 

[cubuffs85]

I think you missed the tone of my response.

I probably did, sorry!

 

[boulder77]

The crowd could be very fired up to see me on the court, it doesn't do much good when you are liability. If it works, it's a great move. It didn't work in this case. It was his first start since high school. I don't think this was the game to take such a bold step.

C'mon ..... Mills starting had absolutely NOTHING AT ALL to do with how the game played out. He was only in for a short time, and was not the reason the Cats got out to the quick lead. Tad showed a lot of class by giving Ben the start in his last home game. That is how you build loyalty and trust from your players and fans. Complain about our non-existent D, our sluggish O, our choice to blackout the game instead of whiteout -- you'd be closer to a reason for the blowout than because Mills started.

 

[Buffnik]

I don't really agree here. I think we were lucky to be down six at the half. But if the game starts out differently (a regular lineup), who knows what happens. I just have a problem with Tad basically putting loyalty over winning here. I just don't think the first half was totally irrelevant because we somehow made it a game by the end of the first half. Today wasn't our day and not playing the optimal lineup against our toughest competition didn't help matters.

The thing is, we were within 6 despite XJ and Ski combining for like 3 points. Neither got it going and Josh ended up shooting under 40% from the field. The team just got steamrolled. And Ben Mills being inept in the opening minutes shouldn't be overstated. Probably a mistake. But off all that went on tonight, that doesn't make my Top 10 **** ups.

 

[jcatcher]

Arizona is a great team, but I lay the blame on the Mills family for bringing Ben's sister to the game. She was a huge distraction.

 

[cubuffs85]

I'm telling you, a loss like this serves as a wakeup call that will have us in the mindset to do the scrapping necessary to beat the Utes. We've got a serious motivational tool. A loss like this sucks, but instead of being full of ourselves for a week, we're going to be chomping at the bit to put this behind us. Our staff is going to turn a negative into a positive. We may not win, but we're going to come ready to play. I don't buy that this destroys our confidence. Basketball season is long, and we had our off night fail of the season. We're moving on

Where did I say this would destroy our confidence? I agree on the long season, I think I preach the "big picture" message more than just about anyone so much if anything, I diminish individual games.

 

[cubuffs85]

The thing is, we were within 6 despite XJ and Ski combining for like 3 points. Neither got it going and Josh ended up shooting under 40% from the field. The team just got steamrolled. And Benn Mills being inept in the opening minutes shouldn't be overstated. Probably a mistake. But off all that went on tonight, that doesn't make my Top 10 **** ups.

It was amazing it was that close. I agree with you tonight wasn't our night. And Ben Mills starting maybe shouldn't be in the top 10, were in agreement it was likely a mistake at the very least. That just really bothers me.

If it works all the credit for Tad, he pushed the right buttons. But unfortunately it didn't, I feel he should be accountable here.

 

[CVilleBuff]

Where did I say this would destroy our confidence? I agree on the long season, I think I preach the "big picture" message more than just about anyone so much if anything, I diminish individual games.

It wasn't directed at you specifically, I've just seen that idea being implied on here. I expect we'll see a rejuvenated Buffs making a huge push for a win at Utah. And when the lights get bright in the tournaments, we'll see a team determined to make sure a disgrace like tonight never occurs again.

 

[cubuffs85]

Arizona is a great team, but I lay the blame on the Mills family for bringing Ben's sister to the game. She was a huge distraction.

Now I know why the starters were so inept in the first half!:rofl:

 

[Buffnik]

Tad's accountable.

He got out-coached tonight. He knows it and he acknowledged it.

He is also going to hold the team responsible. Players didn't respond to the moment. They didn't defend. They didn't run the offense. It was a complete cluster**** on all levels.

Arizona came to play and that demanded that the Buffs play intense and smart basketball if they were going to have a shot. They didn't. Team looked lost and now it's gut check time.

 

[CVilleBuff]

Tad's accountable.

He got out-coached tonight. He knows it and he acknowledged it.

He is also going to hold the team responsible. Players didn't respond to the moment. They didn't defend. They didn't run the offense. It was a complete cluster**** on all levels.

Arizona came to play and that demanded that the Buffs play intense and smart basketball if they were going to have a shot. They didn't. Team looked lost and now it's gut check time.

A week of sitting on this and learning from it is great. It sucks as fans because we all want this behind us, but I'm glad we don't have to rush into SLC.

 

[Parallax]

Hey, I just want to say to you Buffs that I appreciate your classiness. Arizona had a great game tonight and that leaves me happy because I was concerned about this contest. I do think XJ's comments had a huge impact. It's hard for a team to show up every night with a big target on its back and take the other team's best shot. However, when Johnson made those remarks, I knew the guys were going to come into Colorado locked and loaded. At that time, I was expecting this kind of slaughter. But then Ashley went down and that left me expecting a very close game.

I love what Boyle has done with your program. The atmosphere, the fans, the talent, the coaching. This is not the end but rather the very beginning of what will be a great rivalry. Both teams will get their share of wins and tough losses. I'm sure Boyle will make sure your guys keep it zipped from now on. Good lesson for XJ. In addition to making it so much harder for his teammates, it was really hard for him to show up tonight. He placed a big target on his own back for no discernible reason. Stupid thing to do but then if I had a nickel for every idiotic thing I did at his age . . .

 

[CVilleBuff]

Hey, I just want to say to you Buffs that I appreciate your classiness. Arizona had a great game tonight and that leaves me happy because I was concerned about this contest. I do think XJ's comments had a huge impact. It's hard for a team to show up every night with a big target on its back and take the other team's best shot. However, when Johnson made those remarks, I knew the guys were going to come into Colorado locked and loaded. At that time, I was expecting this kind of slaughter. But then Ashley went down and that left me expecting a very close game.

I love what Boyle has done with your program. The atmosphere, the fans, the talent, the coaching. This is not the end but rather the very beginning of what will be a great rivalry. Both teams will get their share of wins and tough losses. I'm sure Boyle will make sure your guys keep it zipped from now on. Good lesson for XJ. In addition to making it so much harder for his teammates, it was really hard for him to show up tonight. He placed a big target on his own back for no discernible reason. Stupid thing to do but then if I had a nickel for every idiotic thing I did at his age . . .

I tend to think Zona has blown his remarks way out of proportion, but I fully understand the needing something to fire you up part. XJ made a slip of the tongue after a frustrating loss down there in which he had a remarkable performance. I can assure you neither XJ, nor anyone in the CU program or fan base looks down on Zona basketball, outside of that weird juvenile portion of your fan base that's deeply insecure about UA's perceived standing. Enjoy the win and great game your boys played, there won't be too many wins for you in the Keg over the years :thumbsup:. Special night for your program.

 

[BuffG]

Hey, I just want to say to you Buffs that I appreciate your classiness. Arizona had a great game tonight and that leaves me happy because I was concerned about this contest. I do think XJ's comments had a huge impact. It's hard for a team to show up every night with a big target on its back and take the other team's best shot. However, when Johnson made those remarks, I knew the guys were going to come into Colorado locked and loaded. At that time, I was expecting this kind of slaughter. But then Ashley went down and that left me expecting a very close game.

I love what Boyle has done with your program. The atmosphere, the fans, the talent, the coaching. This is not the end but rather the very beginning of what will be a great rivalry. Both teams will get their share of wins and tough losses. I'm sure Boyle will make sure your guys keep it zipped from now on. Good lesson for XJ. In addition to making it so much harder for his teammates, it was really hard for him to show up tonight. He placed a big target on his own back for no discernible reason. Stupid thing to do but then if I had a nickel for every idiotic thing I did at his age . . .

Respect your comments, but this part makes no sense. CU is 3-5 against UofA since entering the P12 including a win in the 2012 P12 title game. Seems a lot of UofA fans forget this, but tonight was not the beginning or end of a rivalry, if you choose to refer to it as such.

 

[Swish]

I was surprised and disappointed by how bad we got beat. For the sake of all the visitors I was at least hoping for a tight, competitive game if not a win. Just a shame to see us get beat like a drum when we are capable of giving Arizona a much better game. If we want teams like this as rivals we need to do much better than last night.

 

[Bigbuffs]

Notice how only ONE Arizona fan responds to the thread about giving a compliment o them after we lost, yet many fans create a thread to talk s*** after the game.

 

[Eggon]

AZ outplayed CU at both ends of the floor last night. You may never see a statistical mismatch at home that tops this game per shooting percentages. But basketball is about match ups and confidence. We did not match up well defensively and the coaches did not help the players adjust. Players were not helping on defense nor moving well without the ball on offense. We never gained confidence and frankly just was not our night.

AZ is more talented currently, and they have a great work ethic at both ends of the floor. Doubt we ever allow a beat down like that again against this team at home but it is fact none the less. They just remind me a ton of a Husker football team days past, Hate em! Will be rooting against them.

 

[Parallax]

As Coach Miller said between halves, there's no way Arizona is 27 points better than Colorado. Sometimes things can get out of hand. I think XJ's comments had A LOT to do with that. Sports is so much about emotion and Arizona came to play. But for XJ's comments, it probably would have been a very close game.

As for Arizona fans talking **** and not showing up in this thread, you were merely unfortunate enough to tap into the idiocy of the PGU world. I promise they are a very small portion of our fan base. There are many mature and knowledgeable Arizona fans, just as I'm sure is true of your program. In fact, you are collective proof of the truth of that statement. Will try to send some folks over from the Scout site. Best to you all.