Top Performances Countdown: Bey's Double-Double Helps Buffs Beat No. 4 Oregon
April 19, 2020 | Men's Basketball
Heading into the Jan. 2 matchup in Boulder, the Buffs knew it would take a big-time performance to keep fourth-ranked Oregon winless in the CU Events Center. That performance came from junior Tyler Bey, who scored 15 points and had 14 rebounds for his 25th career double-double, leading the Buffs to a 74-65 win.
His effort earns No. 9 on our top performances countdown from 2019-20.
It was a game that had been circled on the calendar for a variety of reasons. It was an opportunity for a win over the highest-ranked opponent since beating No. 4 Arizona almost exactly two years prior (Jan. 4, 2018). Oregon was no doubt hungry, entering that night winless in eight tries all-time in Boulder. And it was the Pac-12 opener, which CU had not won since 2015. A lot was on the line that night.
Bey no doubt had a big game putting up points, but it wasn't his scoring that was so big. Teammate McKinley Wright IV had a team-high 21 points. It was Bey's presence in the paint that was the difference maker. His 14 rebounds helped the Buffs out-rebound the Ducks 36-34, but most importantly, held them to just four second-chance points as 13 of his boards came on the defensive end. It also gave CU the chance to get out and run in transition as the team had 20 fastbreak points.
The big man was also key for the Buffs down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 15 points and grabbing eight of his 14 rebounds in the second half.
Beyond that win, CU finished the pandemic-shortened season 21-11 overall and 10-8 in the Pac-12, tying the school record for regular-season wins. The team was a virtual lock to make the NCAA Tournament, according to all bracketology experts, before the season was cut short.
Bey finished the year averaging 13.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, to go with 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-Pac-12. Recently, he declared for the NBA Draft.
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His effort earns No. 9 on our top performances countdown from 2019-20.
It was a game that had been circled on the calendar for a variety of reasons. It was an opportunity for a win over the highest-ranked opponent since beating No. 4 Arizona almost exactly two years prior (Jan. 4, 2018). Oregon was no doubt hungry, entering that night winless in eight tries all-time in Boulder. And it was the Pac-12 opener, which CU had not won since 2015. A lot was on the line that night.
Bey no doubt had a big game putting up points, but it wasn't his scoring that was so big. Teammate McKinley Wright IV had a team-high 21 points. It was Bey's presence in the paint that was the difference maker. His 14 rebounds helped the Buffs out-rebound the Ducks 36-34, but most importantly, held them to just four second-chance points as 13 of his boards came on the defensive end. It also gave CU the chance to get out and run in transition as the team had 20 fastbreak points.
The big man was also key for the Buffs down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 15 points and grabbing eight of his 14 rebounds in the second half.
Beyond that win, CU finished the pandemic-shortened season 21-11 overall and 10-8 in the Pac-12, tying the school record for regular-season wins. The team was a virtual lock to make the NCAA Tournament, according to all bracketology experts, before the season was cut short.
Bey finished the year averaging 13.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, to go with 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-Pac-12. Recently, he declared for the NBA Draft.
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Players Mentioned
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