Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Play Host To No. 9 Arizona
February 23, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Tad Boyle isn't a fan of bracketology, “bubble teams” or anything else that is little more than conjecture at this point of the season.
But Colorado's basketball coach does know a thing or two about what it takes to build an NCAA Tournament resume´ — and he knows his 19-9 Buffaloes (8-7 Pac-12) have an opportunity over the next couple of weeks to polish theirs up as they head down the stretch of the Pac-12 season.
The opportunity starts Wednesday night, when Colorado plays host to No. 9 Arizona (7 p.m.) before what is almost certain to be the largest Coors Events Center crowd of the season. The Buffs would like to add a few quality wins to their resume´ and a victory over the Wildcats would fit that bill in every regard.
It's also a tall order. Arizona (22-5, 10-4) is playing its best basketball of the season. After a somewhat shaky 4-4 start in conference play, the Wildcats have ripped off six straight wins and are now tied with Oregon for the Pac-12 lead. Arizona has also won the last six games in the series and the last two in Boulder, including an 82-54 thumping last season.
“One thing you know about Arizona is they're not going to beat themselves,” Boyle said. “We have to make basketball plays in order to beat Arizona because they're a good team. They're well-coached, they're well-disciplined, they're consistent, they don't break down. You have to be able to break them down.”
The 'Cats are a balanced bunch, with three players averaging at least 14.7 points per game and two averaging at least nine rebounds per contest. The scoring leaders are forward Ryan Anderson (15.8 points per game) and guards Alonzo Trier (14.8 ppg) and Gabe York (14.7 ppg). Anderson also leads the team in rebounding with 10.2 boards per game while 7-0 senior center Kaleb Tarczewski is adding 9.0 rebounds per game.
But Wednesday's matchup could also be a meeting of strength vs. strength. In Pac-12 games, Arizona leads the league in rebounding margin (10.1 more rebounds per game than their opponent) and Colorado is second (7.3). Arizona is second in the conference in field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just .422 from the floor; Colorado is third at .425.
“The rebounding battle is going to be key,” Boyle said. “It comes down to defense and rebounding.”
The Buffs will also need to put forth a consistent effort for 40 minutes, something that has escaped them in recent weeks. The problems haven't been the same from game to game, but the result has been two winnable games — both on the road — have slipped from their grasp.
“The whole key with this team has been consistency,” Boyle said. “We've proven we can do it. We just haven't proven we can do it over an 18-game conference schedule. It's the mental toughness, the mental capacity for our guys to concentrate for 40 minutes that has been a challenge.”
For Buffs senior Josh Scott, this week marks the last two home games of his career. A four-year starter for the Buffs, Scott has played in two NCAA Tournaments and would no doubt like to cap his career with a third.
“It's an important game,” Scott said. “ Every game in the Pac-12 is important. It's a tough conference and you've got to get them at home. Honestly, it's just about winning the next one. Every game from here on out is going to be a high-caliber game.”
Scott and front-court mate Wesley Gordon will have their hands full with Anderson and Tarczewski in the middle. But the game will more likely be won — or lost — on the perimeter, where Colorado's play has been up-and-down over the last two weeks. In CU's two most impressive wins this year, over Oregon and Cal, the Buffs limited their turnovers, won the rebounding battle and shot at least 55 percent from 3-point range.
“We're going to have to take care of the ball and make sure we get a great shot every time down,” Boyle said.
One thing that is certain is that it should be a raucous atmosphere, as officials are expecting the largest Events Center crowd of the season.
“If I'm a fan, I'd be looking forward to this game,” Boyle said. “We're a good home team, Arizona's a good road team. They came into this building last year and spanked us convincingly. That's something that can't be acceptable to us. It's the end of February, we're playing games that mean a lot. … It's a big game.”
BROADCAST: ESPN2 will televise the game with Dave Pasch and Bill Walton while the radio broadcast can be heard on 760 AM KDSP with Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
