Sometimes the glamor of a win doesn’t come pretty. But for the Buffs the beauty of a third straight victory comes from the tough reality that says CU has entered survival mode. Nearly every game remaining on the schedule has a “must win” feeling implied to it.
Though Tad Boyle might want to throw mistake-riddle stat sheet that shows a lot of turnovers and fouls, he’s got to be happy with such a convincing home win. Colorado improves to 9-1 at Coors Events Center after its 81-71 win over Cal.
“We should have won by 20,” Boyle said at his postgame press conference. “But again, I think it goes back to the expectation level of this program and where we are right now."
Hot shooting has been a common theme throughout their winning streak. And the Buffs defense didn’t allow the Bears a breath in the first half, as their stranglehold on the game was never really in doubt.
Andre Roberson, coming off a career game against Stanford, was banished to the bench early when he picked up his second foul two minutes into the game. Center Josh Scott also got in first half foul trouble, putting the burden on a fellow freshman to pick up the slack in the post.
Xavier Johnson, again starting in place of Sabatino Chen, got the first double-double of his promising career while Roberson and Scott had to sit. His 12 rebounds were a game high, besting his teammate who entered the game as the nation’s leading rebounder.
“Andre is a big part of our rebounding. I felt like I needed to help him in rebounding while he was on the bench," Johnson said.
The Buffs depth shined from every corner as four bench players saw significant time, eventually tiring out Cal. With the star big men on the bench for so long, Johnson and Shane Harris-Tunks proved they could keep up team’s rhythm without worry. It even surprised Boyle, who thought he’d be putting his best defender back on the floor in the first half.
“When Andre went out with his two fouls, I knew in my mind I was going to still go back with him and give him another crack,” he said. “But we kept expanding the lead so there was no reason to risk it."
Spencer Dinwiddie, who also stumbled upon two first half fouls, was again impressive on both sides of the ball. His aggressive attacking into the middle of Cal’s defense opened the lanes for teammates. He also had the distinct privilege of defending Allen Crabbe, the Pac-12’s leading scorer, for much of the game.
In a battle between two teams ranked in the middle of the Pac-12 standings, Dinwiddie and his teammates knew they have to start separating themselves. The point guard admits he’s been looking at the rankings, ever aware of how important each game really is now.
“To say you don't look at the standings would be a lie,” Dinwiddie said. “You don't focus on them, but you look at them. If we get these next three wins then next week we would know that we have a chance to move up and gain some traction and confidence.”
So what have we learned from this weekend’s home stint? Well, at their best – when the bubbling talent gels together – this team is worthy of playing in March. Everyone has found their place within the group, like custom parts of a churning machine. The energetic Johnson has been playing up to high ceiling recently and the older Roberson, who scored 12 points upon returning in the second half, is re-taking his role as Colorado’s premiere playmaker.
Now at 4-4, thanks to the needed-win, CU is doing what it can to climb out of that crowded pack in the middle of the Pac-12 pile. On Saturday they begin a three game road stint, which includes a trip to Eugene to square off with the top-ranked Oregon Ducks. But Coach Boyle isn’t looking too far ahead, with a game against Utah next in line.
“When we were 1-4 all we wanted to do was get to 2-4, we are all about the next game,” Boyle said. “But we are not happy being 4-4, we have to win the next game and keep scratching and clawing and move our way up."
