Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Aim To Bounce Back Vs. Sun Devils
January 05, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
TEMPE, Ariz. — Technically, University of Colorado classes are not in session because of the holiday break.
But for Tad Boyle's 10-4 Colorado Buffaloes (0-1 Pac-12), classroom work was definitely part of the process earlier this week, when the Buffs spent approximately four hours watching film of Sunday's 76-60 loss to Utah.
"We watched every single possession of the Utah game," Boyle said. "It's important that we know why we lost, why Utah won and it's got to be made clear. It wasn't a fun day, it wasn't a pleasant day for the players — but it had to be done."
Now, the Buffs hope to put those lessons to use tonight when they meet Arizona State (8-7, 1-1) in a 7 p.m. game (Pac-12 Networks) at Wells Fargo Arena. It's the first of a two-game swing through the desert, with the second game coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Arizona.
"We bounced back yesterday and had a great practice," Boyle said Wednesday afternoon. "Then we had a very spirited practice today. One thing I've learned in coaching is that kids are resilient, and I think they're ready for Arizona State. They're ready for the next challenge, and that's a good thing."
What the Buffs will see in ASU is a team that scores more than 83 points per game — and gives up almost exactly the same. Four different Sun Devils average at least 13 points per game, led by guard Torian Graham's 18.3 points per game. Graham is technically a reserve, but comes off the bench and averages 32 minutes per game.
"Our defense is going to be challenged," Boyle said. "That's a fact. We're going to be challenged defensively by a team that scores so darned well. They play with great energy. They just ball offensively. We have to understand that and we have to take a challenge defensively."
But the Sun Devils' freewheeling offensive ways also seem to apply to their defense. That, plus the fact that ASU doesn't rely much on its bench, means the Buffs must do their best to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.
"We have to make sure we are in attack mode," Boyle said. "They don't have great depth. Their top four guys are playing 30-plus minutes a game and we need to get into their bench. The way you do that is by attacking the basket and getting them into foul trouble. If we can do that, good things can happen for us."
The Sun Devils opened Pac-12 play last weekend with a 98-93 win at Stanford, but then lost to Cal, 81-65, two days later.
The Buffs have lost their last three games in Tempe, but this isn't the big, physical type of Sun Devils team they have been accustomed to seeing.
"Much different," Boyle said. "They're very perimeter oriented. Their guards are really talented. Graham is a terrific player who's capable of getting 30. Tra Holder can score and they can shoot the 3."
Indeed, the Sun Devils love to shoot from behind the arc. They are averaging more than 27 3-point attempts per game — most in the Pac-12 — and have connected on nearly 37 percent of those attempts
"They're a dangerous team," Boyle said. "It's going to be a big challenge for us defensively."
While there may be no such thing as a must game, the Buffs do not want to put themselves in a major hole this early in the season. It's why tonight's game might have just a little extra importance attached.
"For us to show progress, for us to show improvement, we have to take what we learned in that film session and take what we learned against Utah and put it to use against Arizona State," Boyle said. "We knew these first three games on the road were not going to be easy. But you have to bounce back when you've been tested — and we're being tested."
BROADCAST: The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network with Daron Sutton and Mike Montgomery while Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke will handle the radio call on DenverSports 760 AM.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
