As CU Gears For NIT Second Round, Wright Strives To Keep Buffs' Mental Edge Sharp

BOULDER — Almost since the day he first stepped on the floor for the Colorado Buffaloes, it seemed apparent that McKinley Wright IV was destined to be a team leader.

Now, 66 games and two full seasons later, the sophomore point guard has certainly fulfilled that role. Not only has he met expectations as the team's on-court quarterback, he has been the Buffs' emotional leader as well as their go-to guy in crucial situations.

But even though he has established himself as the straw that stirs the drink, Wright continues to refine his role. He is always learning how to push and prod at the right moment, when to add a word of encouragement or when a little admonishment might be necessary.

"I know there's certain buttons I can push for certain players and I can't for others," Wright said after Friday's practice. "Tyler (Bey) is my roommate, I've been dealing with him since Day One — I can get on him a little harder than I can some of the other guys. I'm still learning the buttons, but I know what it takes."

Wright hopes to be pushing those buttons for a few more games this year, beginning with Monday's second-round NIT home game against Norfolk State (7 p.m., ESPN2). No matter the outcome, it will be CU's last home game of the season, but a win would send them either to Texas or Xavier for the third round, with a trip to Madison Square Garden and the NIT Final Four on the line.

Part of Wright's role now — after 34 games — is to help keep the Buffs' mental edge sharp.

"It's huge," he said. "Around this time of year, players' bodies start to get tired. It's a long season, a lot of games, a lot of minutes being played by certain guys. I just try to keep them motivated, keep them going as much as I can."

CU head coach Tad Boyle has said his Buffs (22-12) haven't had any trouble getting motivated for the NIT.

But Boyle also knows the eighth-seeded Spartans (22-13), who advanced by winning at No. 1 seed Alabama, have no shortage of motivation. They also won't be in awe of the Buffs.

"The fact that we're a Power Five school or a Pac-12 school means nothing to Norfolk State," Boyle said. "Those kids I think relish that opportunity and thrive on it — as they should. College basketball is about competing. Norfolk State competes."

Boyle speaks from experience when it comes to the chip smaller schools can carry on their shoulder at this time of the year. Boyle was an assistant coach at Jacksonville State, and the head coach at Northern Colorado.

"I know what it's like being on the other side of (big schools)," Boyle said. "It's a lot easier getting your guys geared up for these games. You don't have to say a whole lot because guys like the challenge. They maybe feel like they've got something to prove. Our guys have to meet that and match that."

But Boyle also believes his Buffs received a little bit of an eye-opener against Dayton, a team the Buffs didn't put away until the final few minutes Tuesday. Then, after watching Norfolk State knock off the Crimson Tide, Boyle is sure his team won't take the Spartans lightly.

"Watching Norfolk State beat Alabama at Alabama opens our guys' eyes and makes them understand hey we'd better be ready to play," he said.

From the players' perspective, the game is another chance to learn, grow and gain valuable experience that will pay off next season.

"Obviously it's not the tournament we want to be in, but it is what it is," Wright said. "We know that next year we can't take our non-conference schedule lightly. … those are some losses that really hurt us. I think for us as a team we fully understand what it takes to be able to play in this tournament and how valuable those games are."

REMEMBERING NORFOLK: One member of the Colorado coaching staff is intimately familiar with Norfolk State's postseason accomplishments — and it is not a fond memory.

CU assistant coach Kim English was a senior at Missouri in 2012 when the Tigers earned a second seed in the NCAA Tournament — and lost to 15th-seeded Norfolk, 86-84, in the tourney opener.

Boyle said English has reminded coaches of the game.

"He has brought that up," Boyle said.

The Spartans' current head coach, Robert Jones, was an assistant with Norfolk State in that game.

BEY OK: Sophomore forward Tyler Bey, who left Tuesday's game over Dayton for several minutes with a knee and ankle injury, practice Friday and showed no ill effects. He had several dunks in the workout and ran the floor with ease.

"He's just kind of getting the confidence back," Boyle said. "Anytime you tweak a knee or an ankle, it's being able to trust that thing when you cut and you jump. ... It hasn't affected his athleticism. A lot of times coming back from injuries is as much mental as it is physical."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu