Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Play Host To Utah To Begin Key Pac-12 Stretch
February 01, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It is, for obvious reasons, not a popular topic with Colorado coach Tad Boyle.
But when asked this week about why Utah has managed to win seven straight games against the Buffs, Boyle didn't hesitate with his answer.
"They're tougher than we are and they execute better than we do, at least they have the last seven games," Boyle said. "When you play Utah, (it's) a little bit like playing Arizona from the standpoint that you have to beat those guys, they're not going to beat themselves. They're usually one of the better executing teams in our league and they're one of the tougher teams in our league. That's indicative by their three road wins in conference play."
Friday, the 12-10 Buffs (4-6 Pac-12) get their next chance to end the Utes' streak in a 7 p.m. game at the Coors Events Center (FS1).
The game is the first in a three-game CU homestand — Cal and Stanford visit next week — and the beginning of an eight-game Pac-12 stretch run that will determine where the Buffs finish in the conference standings. Currently in ninth place in the Pac-12, Colorado is part of an eight-team logjam in the third through 10th spots that is separated by just two games.
Unlike the last couple of years, when Utah (13-8, 5-5) was led by Jakob Poeltl and then Kyle Kuzma, there are no likely first-round NBA picks on this year's roster. But there is still plenty of balance, with four Utes averaging double-figure scoring. Senior guard Justin Bibbins leads the Utes, averaging 14.0 points per game, followed by forward David Collette (12.6 pgg), forward Tyler Rawson (11.7 ppg) and guard Sedrick Barefield (11.7 ppg).
Bibbins was the Pac-12 Player of the Week two weeks ago after leading the Utes to wins over Washington and Washington State; Barefield came off the bench to score 17 points in a win at Arizona State and had 26 in a narrow loss at Arizona; and Collette has been particularly effective against the Buffs, last year averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds in the Utes' two wins.
"They have some weapons," Boyle said. "They might not have a Kuzma or Poeltl they've had in the past, but they have good players. … Collette has been a thorn in our side since he's been there."
While the Buffs have lost three in a row, the Utes have won three of their last four. The stretch includes a home win over Washington and a victory at Arizona State — two teams that have beaten Colorado.
"They're a very tough team, they're a great road team — arguably the best road team in our league other than Arizona this year," Boyle said. "They had a shot at the buzzer to beat Arizona. They beat Arizona State in overtime. They swept the Oregon schools. Utah's not afraid. They play at altitude just like we do, there's no advantage there. We have our hands full."
The Utes are also among the league's best 3-point shooting teams, currently second in conference play with 9.9 per game.
But if the Buffs are going to make a push in the Pac-12 standings, they need to start with Friday's game. With five of their remaining eight at home — Utah, Cal, Stanford, USC and UCLA — and road games at Washington, Washington State and Utah, Colorado still has a shot at moving into the top four in the Pac-12. That would mean a first-round bye in the Pac-12 tournament.
"A key stretch, no doubt," Boyle said. "And you can't win all of them unless you win the next one. That's all we have to concentrate on, is how do we beat Utah."
NICE NUMBERS: Colorado freshman Tyler Bey is quietly having a very solid debut season for the Buffs. The 6-7 freshman, who has started every Pac-12 game, is fourth in the league in conference games in field goal percentage (.596), 10th in offensive rebounds per game (2.1), 14th in blocked shots (0.9) and 19th in overall rebounding (5.8).
Freshman point guard McKinley Wright IV, meanwhile, is second in conference games in assists (6.3) and eighth in assists-to-turnover ratio (1.9).
Colorado senior George King is fourth in conference games rebounding (8.2), 15th in scoring (14.3), second in 3-pointers per game (3.1), seventh in 3-point percentage (.449) and tied for 11th in blocked shots per game (1.0).
THE SERIES: Despite the seven-game skid, Colorado leads the all-time serie 26-21, including a 17-6 edge in Boulder. Utah has won eight of 13 since the two programs joined the Pac-12 in 2011-12, and has won the last three in Boulder.
BROADCAST: FS1 will televise the game with Kevin Burkhardt and Matt Muehlebach. KOA 850 AM radio will broadcast the game with Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
