UA's Miller Lauds CU Rebounding, Says Buffs In NCAA Tourney

LAS VEGAS — While Colorado players and coaches were cautiously optimistic that they'll hear their name called on NCAA Selection Sunday, Arizona head coach Sean Miller had no reservations Thursday afternoon.

Minutes after his Wildcats had survived a frantic CU rally to escape with an 82-78 Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal win, Miller made it clear where he thinks the Buffs stand.

“I'd like to congratulate Colorado on a terrific season,” Miller said. “I know they're going to be part of this year's NCAA Tournament. Tad Boyle and his staff, to me, they're some of college basketball's best.”

Most college basketball “bracketologists” have the Buffs as part of a contingent of seven Pac-12 teams projected to earn an NCAA berth. Along with CU, the list includes Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Cal, USC and Oregon State.

“They get the most out of their team,” Miller said of Boyle and his staff, “and they're a hard team to defeat because of their effort level and togetherness and outstanding on the glass. They're the best rebounding team in our conference.”

The Buffs held a 51-35 rebounding edge in Thursday's game, including 25 offensive rebounds that produced 27 second-chance points. That's the most offensive rebounds by a CU team since 26 against Northern Colorado in December 2006 and the most in the postseason since 26 vs. Oklahoma in the 1989 Big Eight Tournament. Overall, CU's 51 rebounds were the most in the postseason since 54 vs. Kansas in the 1996 Big 12 Tournament. Josh Scott led CU with 13 boards and Wesley Gordon and Josh Fortune each added eight.

“You outrebound Arizona by 16, it says something about our fight and our toughness,” Boyle said.

TURNOVER NUMBERS: After committing 10 turnovers in the first half Thursday, the Buffs looked to be on their way to another tough game in that department. But they finished with just 12, their sixth straight game with 12 or fewer miscues.

The Buffs also had 12 assists Thursday, marking the fifth time in the last six games they've had as many or more assists than turnovers.

Josh Fortune, meanwhile, had his second straight game with no turnovers, and has just five in his last seven games.

CHART CLIMBING: Scott's 16-point, 13-rebound effort was his 12th double-double of the season and 35th in his career, tying him with Scott Wedman for sixth on CU's all-time list. Scott also now has 162 career blocks, second behind David Harrison (162).

NOTABLE: CU sophomore Tory Miller had five rebounds vs. Arizona in just nine minutes on the floor, his third straight game with at least five boards. … George King had 21 points in Wednesday's win over WSU, with 17 coming in the first half. Thursday, he had three points in the first half and 19 in the second. … After hitting 10 3-pointers against Washington State, the Buffs had just five Thursday, and the first one didn't come until the 11:15 mark of the second half.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu