Colorado University Athletics
Fortune Surging At Right Time For Buffs
March 01, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Just in time for what the Colorado Buffaloes hope is a lengthy postseason run, Josh Fortune has found his game.
Fortune, CU's junior wing, has put together three straight solid performances, two of which played a big role in a pair of Colorado wins last week.
In his last three games, Fortune has averaged 13.3 points on 15-for-23 shooting (6 for 10 from 3-point range), while also recording five rebounds, five assists and five steals in those games.
But just as important as the numbers he's racked up is the number he has kept to a minimum: Fortune also has just one turnover in his last three games. That's a huge improvement over the previous five-game stretch, when he averaged nearly four per game.
“One of the things Josh and I talked about was making the game simple — take what they give you,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said after Sunday's 79-69 win over Arizona State. “When you're open, shoot it. When you're not, pass it or put it on the floor and attack the basket. But don't try to over-create — just make the simple play.”
Fortune has taken the advice to heart. In a 75-72 win over Arizona, Fortune had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, one rebound, one steal, one assist and one turnover. Four days later, he had perhaps his most efficient and effective game of the season in the win over ASU, a 17-point effort on 6-for-8 shooting to go along with four assists, three steals, two rebounds and no turnovers.
All of Fortune's baskets were big in the ASU game, but the key score might have been a 3-pointer he hit with 14:09 left to play. The bucket from the left wing, on an assist from Thomas Akyazili, broke a 45-45 tie and CU never gave up the lead again.
“I wanted to make the simple play and have confidence in myself,” Fortune said. “I play with great guys and coaches, and they tell us to play with confidence and aggressiveness.”
Fortune started the season as one of CU's key playmakers and scorers. He scored in double figures in eight of the Buffs' 13 games, and had at least four assists in six games.
But he hit a slump early in Pac-12 play, and rode a roller-coaster for much of the Pac-12 season. He hit double digits in scoring in just three of CU's first 11 conference games, and at the same time, saw his turnover numbers creep up.
Now, however, he's hit double figures in six straight games, and his last three have seen his shooting percentage improve dramatically.
“He's a good player and we want to get him going offensively,” Boyle said after the Arizona game. “He made some big shots for us and played with poise and confidence.”
The Buffs have just one regular season game remaining, Saturday night's 7:30 p.m. game at Utah (ESPNU). After that, it's the Pac-12 Tournament, in which they'll open play either March 9 or 10.
Then — hopefully — it's an NCAA Tournament berth. But to get there, the Buffs will need everyone playing at a high level, something Boyle believes might be happening.
“We have to win however many games we can the rest of the season away from home,” Boyle said. “We're going to have to get ourselves rested up mentally, emotionally and physically and have a good week of practice, and hopefully go tussle with the Utes.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
