Boyle's Buffs Play Host To Washington State

BOULDER — If the Colorado Buffaloes are indeed going to make a strong stretch run in Pac-12 play, it has to begin at home.

Four of the Buffs' remaining seven games are at the Coors Events Center, beginning with Thursday's 8 p.m. matchup with Washington State and followed by Saturday's noon meeting with Washington (both on Pac-12 Networks).

The 17-7 Buffs, currently tied for fifth with a 6-5 Pac-12 record, still have their eye on at least a top-four conference finish and first-round bye in the conference tournament. Currently owners of a two-game losing streak, they'll need to shed memories of back-to-back losses on their recent Oregon road trip and recapture the effort that has produced a 12-1 record at home.

“We should be playing with a chip on our shoulder, an edge to us,” CU coach Tad Boyle said after Wednesday's practice. “Whether it's Washington, Washington State, it doesn't matter who the next opponent is. … To win a game in February, it's a good thing. Losing them is gut-wrenching, especially when you know you should have won them.”

Washington State hasn't experienced much of the former, at least not since the beginning of Pac-12 play. Ernie Kent's 9-14 Cougars are just 1-10 in conference games and bring a nine-game losing streak into Thursday's game.

Boyle, thought, insists that the Cougars are a capable team.

“We can't look at records and all that stuff,” Boyle said. “I'm sure they're hungry. Every team is a dangerous team. We can't take anything for granted, especially after what happened our last time out.”

The Cougars are led by 6-10 junior Josh Hawkinson, who joins CU's Josh Scott as one of the nation's 10 finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Hawkinson, averaging 15.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, missed the Cougars' last contest — a 67-55 loss to Arizona State — but is expected to play Thursday night.

In their first meeting this year, however, it wasn't Hawkinson who did the most damage for the Cougars. Although the Buffs came away with a 75-70 win in Pullman, point guard Ike Iroegbu fueled a second-half comeback with 27 points. Forward Conor Clifford added 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting while Hawkinson had 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Cougars also now have the services of 6-10 Valentine Izundu, who missed eight games with a foot injury but returned to produce 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks against ASU.

The Buffs, meanwhile, will be looking to shed the turnover problem that plagued them in their last two games — a combined 38 miscues against Oregon and Oregon State — and regain their offense. The Buffs scored just 56 points in both losses, their second-lowest output in back-to-back games this season.

“These last seven games are crucial,” CU sophomore George King said. “The way it goes across the country is the most consistent teams come out on top. Seven games is enough to separate ourselves from the middle of the pack, but we have to play consistent and get wins.”

Like many of his teammates, King has struggled with consistency in recent weeks. In the loss at Oregon State, he finished with just one point and two rebounds, while also committing a pair of turnovers.

“The worst part was not boxing out on free throws,” King said. “I have to take the blame for that. I didn't box out on a free throw and one of their guys got a rebound over me and ended up putting it in. The next play, I had a rebound and (Gary) Payton stole it out of my hand and clinched the game. It's the little things and I've got to do a better job.”

But King is by no means alone in that regard. The performance at Oregon State was a team effort, and the Buffs know they can't afford another one like it.

“The margin for error is gone,” Boyle said. “To win games in February, you have to play well. Wanting to win the game, wanting to play hard, doesn't make you special. It just makes you another team. Washington State's going to want to come here and win. We have to get it done.”

BROADCAST: Thursday's game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks with Rich Cellini and Don MacLean. KDSP (760 AM) will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke.

PROMOTIONS: CU will provide several notable events surrounding this weekend's games.

On Thursday, Colorado will honor Black History Month by recognizing prominent African-Americans in history during pregame. The Buffaloes will also recognize over 150 student-athletes who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher in 2015 at halftime.

On Saturday, CU is offering fans a $30 Friends Day Out package. Price of admission is good for one reserved ticket, hot dog and soda. The Boulder Humane Society will be featured on the concourse with puppies and kittens and the team will be hosting an autograph session following the game.

Tickets for both games are available by calling 303-49BUFFS or at CUBuffs.com/tickets.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu