Buffs Expect Ducks' Best Shot Thursday
December 31, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado coach Tad Boyle has never been one to put much stock in historic "streaks."
But he also knows Dana Altman's Oregon Ducks might feel a little differently about history — in particular their lack of success in Boulder.
It is something that will almost certainly be on both teams' minds Thursday when the Ducks pay a visit to the CU Events Center for a 7 p.m. meeting with the 11-2 Buffaloes (ESPN2).
The Ducks — who bring with them an 11-2 record and a No. 4 national ranking in the Associated Press poll — have never won on CU's home floor. It adds up to an 0-8 all-time record, including an 0-6 mark since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 in time for the 2011-12 season.
"It's probably in their practice plan," Boyle said after Tuesday's practice. "I'm sure he knows it. I know his players know it. But that has nothing to do with Thursday's game. At the end of the day, it really doesn't. What's past is past."
Indeed, this Oregon team is much different than the squad that visited Boulder a year ago and absorbed a 73-51 defeat. Just three players from last year's Oregon team are on this year's roster.
"They don't care what's happened years in the past, so really it has no meaning to me or anybody else," Boyle said. "I'm sure it has a little bit more meaning to them. But to me it's a new game, a new day and time to protect our home turf, which you have to do in league play."
But Boyle's players are also aware of Oregon's futility in Boulder — and they don't want to be a part of the streak coming to an end.
"It's a must-win for us — we have to protect our home court," said CU junior point guard McKinley Wright IV. "We know that they've never won here. I'm sure their coaches are reaching out to them every day. They're going to come in with a sense of urgency and try to punch us in the mouth. So we have to be ready to stand our ground and respond."
Because of Pac-12 scheduling quirks, the two teams have met just once in each of the last two years. Last season, Colorado rebounded from a disappointing loss to Oregon State to collect a win over the Ducks in early February, a victory that started a five-game CU win streak and helped Colorado finish with a 12-4 record down the home stretch of the season. The run included two wins in the Pac-12 tournament and two more in the NIT.
Combined with this year's 11-2 mark, the Buffs are 23-6 since following up that loss to Oregon State with the win over the Ducks last season.
"I think that that's when we found out who we were, after Oregon State," Wright said. "Ever since then, we've been clicking at a different level."
The Buffs will no doubt have to be clicking at their best Thursday, beginning with Wright. He will be matched against Oregon standout guard Payton Pritchard, who leads the Ducks in scoring (18.5 ppg) and assists (6.2 apg).
Both players were members of the preseason first-team all-Pac-12 team.
"I have a high respect level for Peyton Pritchard," Wright said. "He's a guy who can shoot it, score it off the bounce, get to the rim, make free throws and shoot it from deep. I know he's looking forward to the matchup."
While Thursday's game is no doubt a big one for the Buffs, Boyle has also spent the week reminding his team that Sunday's 4 p.m. home matchup with Oregon State is equally important.
"What I want our players to understand is that every game in league play is important," Boyle said. "If we win this one, if we're lucky enough, you don't get extra credit."
Thursday's game will almost certainly feature the biggest home crowd thus far this season in Boulder, despite the fact that CU classes are not in session, which will mean a smaller-than-usual student section. Thus far, the biggest crowd was a gathering of 7,713 for the home opener against San Diego.
"That's what makes college basketball so fun, a matchup like this," Boyle said. "Two quality teams and talented teams is a treat for our fans, and hopefully this building will be full and will have great energy."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
