Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: After Unsightly Win, CU Only Has Eyes For Texas
February 25, 2011 | Men's Basketball, B.G. Brooks
So it was Wednesday for Tad Boyle and his Colorado Buffaloes in the Land of Buddy Holly, otherwise known as Lubbock, Texas. Because they edged Texas Tech by three, the Buffaloes earned a passing grade on a night when passable often times didn't appear sufficient.
In the end, it was - much to the delight/relief of Boyle, who in his first season at CU has seen similar nights quickly slide the other way. But on this one, in spite of the aesthetics not being there, it all came together late and ended that way.
"That's a positive sign," Boyle noted a couple of days ago. "We missed some layups in transition, we missed some open shots that we normally would make by some of our better shooters and scorers. The progress we made was that we didn't let that affect the other end (defense).
"We didn't always get stops down the stretch, but we got them when we had to. Our guys were focused . . . I can tell when we're dialed in defensively and when we're not. And we were; even when we didn't get the stops it wasn't because we fell asleep."
His team won a game that sends it into Saturday's encounter against No. 5/5 Texas (Coors Events Center, 2 p.m.) with a little extra fizz and renewed hope of playing into mid-March. Finishing the Big 12 Conference season as they opened it would be the biggest thing for the Buffs since Chauncey's final spin move at the Foam Dome.
Can the Buffs bid adieu to the Longhorns with what would be a signature win in a season of ebbs and flows? Say yes for these reasons: They're at home, they're healthy (point guard Nate Tomlinson is back), they're playing in front of an Events Center record fourth sellout crowd this season. Say no for just one reason: Texas is scary good, a potential Final Four entry.
Stellar CU senior Cory Higgins, who on Saturday will tie Will Smith (1996-2000) and Stephane Pelle (1999-2003) for most career games played at CU (123), agreed that he and his teammates will "just have to be at our best" to upset Texas.
But he added something I found interesting, and maybe it even offers some comfort for CU fans, given the often schizophrenic course the Buffs have taken through February. To me, it underscores what Boyle says about his team maintaining focus and an even keel through difficult times.
Said Higgins: "I wouldn't say we'll need our absolute best effort, because it's not like we need a miracle to beat (Texas). But if we come out like we should with the right mindset and play like we're capable, we'll be fine."
Tall order, to be sure, but it's not on a par with the USA vs. Russia in the '80 Winter Olympics.
I asked Boyle if he believes Texas is the most talented team in the Big 12. He answered:
"I think this: Kansas is the most explosive offensively, the most efficient offensively, and I think the numbers back me up on that. They're leading the country in field goal percentage. I think Texas, along with Nebraska, are the best defensive teams in our league.
"Texas is holding their opponents to 36 percent in field goal percentage - that's pretty darn stiff over a 28-game schedule. They really guard. I think they're the most physically talented and they guard the best.
"It starts with (senior point guard Dogus) Balbay . . . the reason he plays is not because of his jump shot. It's because he really guards - and the rest of the guys feed off of that. And they're long and they're athletic . . . so when you put all that together they've got a pretty good team."
Boyle could go on and on about the Longhorns . . . so we'll let him.
The fact that the Horns lead the Big 12 in rebounding (40.9 a game) "speaks to their athleticism and their mentality," Boyle said. "It's what you stress . . . I don't think it's a coincidence that the team that leads the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage defense is leading the conference. It's the reason I talk about that stuff over and over and over again. It's what gets you to the highest level."
Many teams visiting the Events Center come in concerned about the altitude and CU's preferred pace. Boyle doesn't expect Texas to enter with concerns about either.
"I think they'll run, especially off of misses, steals," he said. "One thing about getting stops is that it allows you to run. We've got to make sure that we don't turn the ball over. We've got to take better care of the ball than we have here recently. Against Texas, those turnovers or long rebounds turn into layups for them, as athletic as they are. Yeah, they'll come in and run with us. Transition defense is going to be a big part of our game plan."
Already this season, Higgins has moved into first place on CU's career charts for starts (121), minutes played (4,154) and free throws made (525). He feels good about his final CU season, but obviously he can feel better. What's lacking on his resume is a postseason appearance.
"I wouldn't trade anything," he said of his senior year. "It's the most successful season I've had since I've been here. So something's been going right. I feel real positive about my last year and leaving a stamp on this program."
Winning Saturday, said the stoic Higgins, "would be lovely - maybe our biggest home win since I've been here. We've had a few this year, but that would be great to keep that momentum going, especially into the last week."
The unprecedented fourth home sellout of season "just shows how far it's come these last four years," he added. "I'm just happy for the seniors that are here, that we got to experience this."
We can't predict Saturday's outcome, but this much we know: The sold-out house will rock - for the fourth time. Never happened before, and as Higgins noted, that's progress in a program begging for it.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
