Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Head To Bay Area To Face Cal In Crucial Pac-12 Matchup
February 26, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BERKELEY, Calif. — Of the many things the Colorado Buffaloes have done well this year, bouncing back from a loss has been one of the most impressive.
The No. 21/20 Buffs (21-7 overall, 10-5 Pac-12) have lost back-to-back games only once all season — to Kansas and Northern Iowa in late December — and they have not lost two in a row in conference play. Rather, they have rebounded from every conference loss thus far to collect victories by an average of more than 26 points.
Now, after a 70-63 loss to UCLA in their last outing, they would love to continue their "rebound" streak Thursday when they face Cal in a 7 p.m. (MT) game at Haas Pavilion (Pac-12 Networks).
"They're a resilient group," allowed CU coach Tad Boyle after Wednesday's practice.
But while the Buffs have made sure losing doesn't become anything resembling a habit, they have also been unable to string together a sustained Pac-12 win streak. CU has been able to win more than two games in a row in conference play just once this season. That's something the Buffs would love to improve upon as they head into their final three regular season games before the Pac-12 tournament.
"We're 21-7, everybody thinks it's been a good year," Boyle said. "But it's been an inconsistent year … It's not just a problem that's indicative of just our team, it's indicative of every college team. But the bottom line is you still have to take care of business and play consistent basketball and right now we're not always consistent from half to half, possession to possession, or even game to game."
The Bears (11-16, 5-9) have struggled recently, as they enter Thursday's game with five losses in their last six games. But they do have a 10-5 record at home, and in their first meeting with the Buffs this season, they pushed Colorado to the limit before finally dropping a 71-65 decision. CU actually trailed, 46-45, with just more than eight minutes to play before finally taking control down the stretch.
The Bears are most successful when they can slow the pace of the game, something they did relatively well against the Buffs in their first meeting. But they do have scorers. Guard Matt Bradley, who is averaging 17.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, had 17 against the Buffs in their first meeting while fellow guard Paris Austin scored 15, as the two combined to shoot 11-for-22 from the field.
But Boyle's biggest concern heading into the game might be the way his team practiced this week.
"Thank goodness we didn't play a game yesterday or today or we would've gotten beat," Boyle said. "I don't know if they're feeling sorry for themselves from UCLA, or what the case may be, but we've got to be better in the game (Thursday) than we were in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. On a scale of one to 10, we practiced about a three or a four yesterday and today."
Colorado is currently part of a five-game cluster at the top of the Pac-12 standings that is separated by just one game. They are still in contention for a league title — although they would need some help from other teams — and are definitely in position to claim a top-four finish, which would give them a first-round Pac-12 tournament bye.
But to finish in the top four, they will have to produce some of that missing consistency over their last three regular season games — all on the road. The key in that stretch, Boyle said, is no secret.
"I asked our guys, what teams win games this time of year?" Boyle said. "One guy said toughness. Another guy said execution. Another guy said discipline. They're exactly right. Toughness, discipline, execution, that's what wins this time of year. Everybody knows what you're going to do, so you have to execute. You have to play with unbelievable toughness and discipline … Mental toughness is part of toughness. Physical toughness is part of toughness. You have to play that way to win, this time of year especially."
BUFFS BITS: The Buffs have already tied the program record for regular season wins, matching the 21 posted by the 1996-97, 2013-14 and 2015-16 Buffs. With three to play, this year's team has a good chance of claiming the record outright. CU's current 21-7 record also ties the all-time CU record for best winning percentage after 28 games overall, matching the 21-7 mark of the '68-69 Buffs … If the Buffs can manage a win Thursday, then not lose their last two, they will be the first CU team since the 1966-67 squad to not lose two conference games in a row.
TIPOFF: Thursday's game is set to begin at 7 p.m. (MT) at Haas Pavilion.
THE SERIES: CU holds an all-time 18-15 edge in the series, with the Buffs having won five in a row and six of the last seven. The Bears, however, have a 12-2 edge in Berkeley. Last year's 68-59 Colorado win at Haas was just CU's second ever on the Bears' home court.
BROADCAST: The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks with Ted Robinson and Ben Braun. The radio broadcast will be carried by 850 AM and 94.1 FM KOA with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke.
UP NEXT: The Buffs wrap up their Bay Area swing at Stanford on Sunday (4 p.m., ESPNU), then close the regular season with a 12:30 p.m. game March 7 at Utah.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
