Colorado University Athletics
Now In Underdog Role, Buffs Set For Road Tilt At Washington
January 17, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
SEATTLE, Wash. — Of all the roles the Colorado Buffaloes expected to be playing at this juncture of the season, one they didn't anticipate was that of the underdog.
The Buffs were, after all, a team that was getting some mention in preseason top 25 discussions. But five games and five losses into the Pac-12 season, they have long since disappeared from the top 25 radar and now find themselves at the bottom of the conference standings.
In short, the team that opened the season with a target on its back now has to play with a chip on its shoulder.
"If we want to reach the goals that we set out with, we have to have that mentality," CU senior Derrick White said Tuesday. "We have to have that chip on our shoulder. People don't expect much of us now, so we're going to be the underdog every game. We have to come out, play hard, play smart and out-compete teams."
Tad Boyle's 10-8 Buffs (0-5 Pac-12) will get that chance Wednesday when they visit Alaska Airlines for a 9 p.m. meeting with Washington (8-9, 1-4). After that, Colorado heads to Pullman on Saturday for a 2 p.m. meeting with Washington State (9-8, 2-3).
"The most important game we have is the game ahead of us," White said. "We have to win one in a row and start with that. Go to Washington and get a tough road win."
It won't be easy. The Huskies — another team that has thus far fallen short of expectations — are coming off a pair of road losses and also desperately need a win to turn their season back in the right direction.
"We had a really good, spirited practice today, we were competing, we were getting after each other," Boyle said after Tuesday's workout. "Tempers were a little short. To me that's a good sign based on where we're at. I think a chip on the shoulder is sorely needed right now. … They picked us fifth (in the preseason poll). We're tied for 12th. We should have a chip on our shoulder."
There's no secret as to what makes the Huskies tick. Freshman sensation Markelle Fultz — the latest likely one-and-done UW standout — leads the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game, along with 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals. He's led the Huskies in scoring in 12 of their 17 games this year, including a 34-point effort in Saturday's 76-69 loss at Stanford.
"Markelle Fultz is a much more scoring-minded point guard than (UCLA's) Lonzo Ball, but he can also pass," Boyle said. "It's not like he's a black hole because he can distribute the ball as well. Terrific player. He can take and make bad shots. He's got that ability to rise up and make tough shots with guys in his face. A guy we have great respect for, he's a terrific talent, and he's got some guys around him who are capable, too."
The task of at least containing Fultz won't go to one player. Instead, Boyle said, "it has to be a concerted team effort."
The Huskies do have two other players averaging double figures in sophomore guard David Crisp (13.9 ppg) and junior forward Noah Dickerson (11.2 ppg), and UW averages 81.5 points per game, third-best in the Pac-12. But, they also give up 78.2 points per game, second-worst in the conference.
It is no doubt a winnable game, but to do so, the Buffs have to shore up the problems that have hurt them in Pac-12 play thus far, beginning with defensive lapses and turnover issues. The Buffs gave up 17 offensive rebounds and committed 17 turnovers in Sunday's loss to USC.
"There's not a team on our schedule the rest of the way that we can't beat," Boyle said. "I believe that. I truly believe that. I also know that if we don't take care of the problems that are plaguing us right now, there's not a team on our schedule that can't beat us."
The key will be producing the one commodity that has escaped them for much of the season — consistency. If they can do that, it will be a big step in restoring what is no doubt some flagging confidence that comes with a five-game losing streak.
"We can get over that hump," junior George King said. "We have the guys to do it. Our spirit is still there. There's always frustration when you lose, and when you're 0-5, that frustration is really building. We just have to shut that water off — and we will."
THE SERIES: This will be the 22nd all-time meeting between the two programs, with UW holding a slight 11-10 edge. The two split last year's games, each winning on their home floor, and the series is tied 4-4 since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011-12. The Huskies, though, have a commanding 8-2 edge in Seattle.
TOUGH STARTING SLATE: The Buffs first five Pac-12 games included three on the road and three straight against ranked teams. CU is now one of just two programs in the nation without a conference win that is still ranked in the top 100 RPI (97). The other is Oklahoma State, 0-5 in the Big 12 with an RPI of 58.
UW YOUNGSTERS: Washington does not have a senior in its starting lineup, featuring a freshman, three sophomores and a junior. The Buffs start a freshman, a junior and three seniors.
BROADCAST: The game will be televised by ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Brad Daugherty. DenverSports 760 AM will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke on the call.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
