Battey Becoming Defensive Force In Post For Buffs

BOULDER — Colorado Buffaloes big man Evan Battey takes defense very seriously — and it shows.

Battey, CU's 6-foot-8, 262-pound sophomore, has matched up against some of the nation's premier post players this year, and each time he has delivered a solid performance.

At Kansas, he outscored Jayhawks 7-footer Udoka Azubuike, 14-12, and also outrebounded him, 7-6. Less than a week later, he held Colorado State's Nico Carvacho to just two points on 1-for-5 shooting in the first half, as Colorado jumped out to a 27-12 halftime lead. It was no coincidence that when Battey left the game early in the second half with his third foul, Carvacho hit two quick buckets to spark a CSU rally that saw the Rams tie the game before the Buffs regrouped down the stretch to collect a 56-48 win.

"Evan's a really cerebral player," head coach Tad Boyle said after Tuesday's practice. "The biggest thing that makes guys good defensive players is they take pride in it. And that's one thing that Evan does. Evan takes pride in being a good defender. We'll give our scouting reports and he's digging into it. He's a guy that really pays a lot of attention and puts time and effort into it. And he's got pride in it, and that's why he's good."

Colorado (8-2) will play twice this week before taking a short holiday break. CU plays host to Prairie View A&M on Thursday in a 6:30 p.m. game at the CU Events Center (Pac-12 Networks) before traveling to Chicago on Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. neutral-floor matchup against 13th-ranked Dayton at the United Center (CBS Sports Network).

Battey does indeed take pride in his defense and the preparation it requires. Squaring off against an opposing big man in the paint is a confrontation he relishes.

"I like the challenge of trying to stop somebody," he said. "When we get a high-profile player in a scouting report, I take it really seriously. It's critical for me to do my best to stop that guy because my teammates are depending on me to do that."

Those scouting reports, Battey said, are crucial to his preparation because each opponent presents a different challenge. Azubuike, for instance, depends on brute strength inside while Carvacho is more "crafty" around the basket.

"It's a lot of studying," he said. "It's like school in a way. You take what you read on a piece of paper and apply it to life. My dad always says that you don't know who's watching you on the floor, so you always have to be at your best. I just like the challenge of stopping somebody."

Even at 6-8, Battey is often matched against bigger players. But, Boyle said, the key isn't frame as much as it is technique and preparation.

"Post defense is played with two things, your feet and your brain," Boyle said. "Evan's got great feet, he's got a great brain and that pride. The attention to detail that goes into a scouting report and our walkthroughs or film sessions — he takes that information the coaching staff is giving him and he applies it."

That, Boyle said, allows him to play against taller opponents.

"People think (post defense) is the bigger, stronger, taller guys," Boyle said. "But it's your feet and brain. You look at (former Buff) Andre Roberson — 6-7, a thin guy. Evan's 6-8, a thicker-body guy. But they're both great post defenders because they have great feet in there and are kind of a step ahead of the game."

Battey is also having a solid year on the offensive end of the floor. He is fourth on the team in scoring (8.7 points per game) and second in offensive rebounds, trailing team leader Tyler Bey by just four.

"I pride myself on my rebounding," Battey said, "especially when it can get us another shot. If I'm not right there in position, then I'd better figure out a way to go get it."

WHY CHICAGO? The Buffs don't often journey to the Midwest, but Boyle wanted to play Saturday's game in Chicago because point guard McKinley Wright's grandmother lives there. Boyle always tries to get a game or two near a player's hometown or family during their careers at CU.

CU also has a healthy alumni population in the Chicago area, giving them an opportunity to see the Buffs in action as well.

PRAIRIE VIEW FIRST LOOK: Thursday night's opponent was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago after winning the SWAC regular season and tournament title.

This year, PVAMU is just 3-7, but has played two Pac-12 opponents down to the wire. The Panthers lost at Cal, 54-50, in mid-November, then dropped an 88-79 decision at Arizona State in a game in which they trailed by just seven with less than three minutes to play. The game also featured a parade to the charity stripe by both teams, as they combined to shoot 84 free throws (51 by ASU).

PVAMU features four players averaging double-digit scoring, led by 6-7 forward Devonte Patterson at 14.0 points per game.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu