PacHoops: Hump Day

[absinthe]

By Adam Butler

www.PacHoops.com

Delon Wright is a terrific basketball player. But he coughed the ball up and the Buffs were that much

closer to victory on Saturday. And then little Brandon Taylor hit a deep three and sent the game to

overtime and an extra five minutes that seemed like it might be too much for Colorado to take. After

all, they’re the group that’s endured a lot and on the heels of a rough injury, looked every part the

team coming apart. But they absorbed the Taylor trey, built a seven point lead in the extra period, and

handed Utah their umpteenth close loss of the season. Conversely, this was just the third close game of

the Buffaloes’ (Kansas and Washington State the others and, for argument’s sake, I’m ignoring the CSU

game. If you really like, we can call it the ‘stage setter’).


Of course this was their first plight down this path without the departed and we’ve already spoiled the

result: they won. Colorado prevailed in the face of all the adversity they’d already endured while getting

punched in the mouth by arguably the hungriest team in the conference. Those Utes are playing games

like that every time they take the floor and they’ve won zero of them. Tough. The Buffs, however, have

won and that speaks volumes about the progress of this team, their maturity, and the prospects for the

second half of this conference slate. Five-and-four reads a lot better than 4-5 and it feels even better

than it reads.


But 5-4 also throws the Buffaloes into this wild jam of teams that no one can quite figure out. And

understandably so. Much of that “third place” pile up is comprised of teams with very interesting

resumes. From Oregon State and Washington to these Buffs, it’s difficult to say there’s much in common

beyond record. That said, I sincerely think the Pac-12 is going to send at minimum five teams to the big

dance. Finishing amongst the top six would go a long way in deciding whether or not the committee

looks favorably upon thee.


Which brings me to this weekend’s slate. Home court has treated Tad’s boys well. It’s treated the entire

Pac-12 well but particularly the black and gold. On Wednesday and Sunday, the least threatening travel

partners will be paying visits to The Keg. You want to begin to see what this team is really made of?

This weekend is it. They have the best projected first half schedule of the five-and-fours. This isn’t toe

stubbing time. But that’s obvious. Whether you’re leading the pack or jammed up in the middle (Buffs),

the latter half of a season is never the time to struggle.


And this can also serve as a new beginning. Clean the slate and start anew. Beating Utah was a great

indicator that the Buffs can put things behind them and move forward. Last week we talked about the

changing times and I think Colorado proved they’re willing to accept that change. Did you know that

Saturday’s game was the lowest percentage of transition offense the Buffs have produced in Pac-12

play? Utah isn’t even that particularly good at limiting transition defense

(179th Colorado got into the break for just 17% of their offense. And won. Didn’t a certain Pac-12 writer note

that style would behoove them? Whatever, neither here nor there.

So we might even be able to say that the times have changed and the Buffs have embraced that. The

beauty of this sport is that it gives you an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Or at least to salvage your

season. College hoops is a glorious meritocracy; or at least it’s more meritorious than college football.

in the country) and We’re far from the end but for the first time in a while, there’s good reason for optimism and a light at

the end of the tunnel in recognizing what this 2013-14 Colorado Basketball season will become.

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

It was said here after dinwiddie went down, by multiple people, that our adjustment period ended on 2/1. That was the date we should really start analyzing the team and where they could go.

Got off to a good start, winning the 3 games in this home stand would be absolutely huge.

 

[absinthe]

It was said here after dinwiddie went down, by multiple people, that our adjustment period ended on 2/1. That was the date we should really start analyzing the team and where they could go.

Got off to a good start, winning the 3 games in this home stand would be absolutely huge.

Line opened at 12 and was quickly bet to 12.5

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Line opened at 12 and was quickly bet to 12.5

Line is too big, I think. Buffs should win, but I don't expect a blowout

 

[Goose]

Line opened at 12 and was quickly bet to 12.5

Thought I saw it was down to 10.5. Could be wrong.

Wazzu is absolutely horrible if you look at the numbers. But watching them play UDub on Sunday, they impressed me a bit. I mean, they're not stellar, but they're not the easy out that people keep making them out to be. They took us to OT in Pullman and that was without their best player. If CU doesn't come out right, this game could end badly.

 

[wyobuff]

They also took us to OT in pullman w/o our best player, who consequently will be gone for this one as well. That all being said, I dont think they'll cover but they should win. It's difficult for me to see how wazzu comes up with a win at the keg.
Tad has built a tough environment to win in, and it shows.

 

[Darth Snow]

Them having Lacy back gives me that uncomfortable feeling known as "worry"

 

[tante]

They also took us to OT in pullman w/o our best player, who consequently will be gone for this one as well. That all being said, I dont think they'll cover but they should win. It's difficult for me to see how wazzu comes up with a win at the keg.
Tad has built a tough environment to win in, and it shows.

Spencer sorta played in that game. He was physically on the court. He hurt his knee the game after.

 

[wyobuff]

Spencer sorta played in that game. He was physically on the court. He hurt his knee the game after.

No, I remember he played, but I think tad said something after the game like "I dont know where spencer was tonight, but he sure wasnt in the spokane arena".

he "played" but wasnt spencer, was my point.

 

[Darth Snow]

As I told teets earlier this week: We've already beaten them once without spencer.