Buffaloes Host Washington State Sunday

THE SEASON: Colorado is 11-9 overall and 3-6 in the Pac-12 Conference after dropping a 75-72 decision to Washington on Jan. 19 at the CU Events Center. The Buffaloes have lost three in a row for the first time this season and four of six games overall. Colorado fell at home for just the second time this season (8-2), seeing a six-game home winning streak end at the hand of the Huskies.

Colorado dropped back-to-back games on the L.A. road swing last week. It was a rare road sweep against the Buffaloes. Colorado had gone eight-straight multi-game Pac-12 road trips with at least one win. The Buffaloes left L.A. without a win on the standard two-game road trip for just the second time in the Pac-12 era and first since 2015-16.

Colorado leads the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds (11.9 orpg) while ranking second in steals (8.3 spg) and rebounding margin (+5.4), third in scoring (73.0 ppg) and rebounding (38.7 rpg), fourth in turnover margin (+0.2) and defensive boards (26.9 drpg) and fifth in scoring margin (+5.8).

Colorado had 13 steals against Washington, tying a season high (at Grambling State) and reaching double-digits for the fifth time this season, but is only 2-3 in those contests. The Buffaloes had just one instance of double-figure steals in each of the previous two seasons (2020-21 and '21-22).

Colorado forced Washington into 22 turnovers, the most by a Buffaloes' opponent since UC Irvine had 22 on Nov. 18, 2019. It's the most turnovers forced in a loss since Dec. 9, 2006, when Colorado State had 24, but defeated the Buffaloes 72-69 at the CU Events Center.

On an odd note, Colorado dropped to 1-5 this season when forcing 18-plus turnovers and 0-2 forcing 21 or more (21 by Cal). Prior to this season, the Buffaloes had won 21 of 24 games when forcing at least 18 turnovers dating back to March of 2012. Washington moved to 2-0 when committing at least 20 turnovers this season (23 vs. St. Mary's).

Sophomore KJ Simpson leads Colorado at 17.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. He also tops the Buffaloes in field goals (117), 3-pointers (32) and free throws made (65). Simpson's numbers have stayed steady during league games, averaging 16.6 points with a team-best 29 assists.

Simpson led Colorado in scoring during both games of the L.A. trip with 17 points in each contest. He has scored in double figures in 18 of his 19 games in 2022-23. The lone single-digit scoring effort was six against Oregon State, but in that game he tied a career and team-season high with six assists and grabbed seven rebounds.

On the Pac-12 charts Simpson is second in scoring, seventh in assists, eighth in free throw percentage (.783) and steals (1.3 spg) and 12th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4).

Junior forward Tristan da Silva is averaging 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 50.7 percent from the field. He leads the team in thefts and ranks second in the other three categories.

Da Silva has played well particularly at home. He is averaging a team-best 19.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals this season at the CU Events Center while shooting 56 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point range.

On the Pac-12 charts, da Silva is seventh in steals (1.4 spg), ninth in scoring, 12th in 3-point shooting (.368) and 15th in overall field goal shooting and defensive rebounds (4.0 drpg).

Junior J'Vonne Hadley leads the Buffaloes in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and field goal shooting (.519) while averaging 8.5 points per game. Hadley had 10 rebounds, matching a personal-best, and a career-high four steals at UCLA.

On the Pac-12 charts, he is fourth in offensive boards (2.7 orpg), 10th in steals (1.3 spg) and 13th in field goal percentage and overall rebounding.

Sophomore Lawson Lovering leads Colorado in blocks (20) while ranking third in rebounding (4.6 rpg). Lovering recorded his first double-double with a career-high 13 points and a team season-high 14 rebounds at USC. He had just eight points and seven rebounds in the previous three games combined. He has made 18 of 29 (.621) from the field in conference play.

Lovering is 11th in the Pac-12 in blocks at 1.1 per game and 15th in offensive rebounds (2.0 orpg).

Nique Clifford is averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while ranking third on the team in assists with 33. Clifford had 12 points, and four rebounds in the win over Oregon.

Julian Hammond III is averaging 6.7 points and is second on the team in assists with 40. He scored a personal-high 18 points against Washington, leading the Buffaloes in scoring for the first time in his career. Hammond was a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line, both career-highs, and the team's season-best for free throws made without a miss.

Hammond has made 16 straight free throws and improved to a perfect 16-16 from the line during Pac-12 play (which coincides with the current streak). The 18-points against Washington was his fourth game scoring in double-figures this season, all coming in the last nine games.

Luke O'Brien is averaging 4.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He had eight points, six rebounds and a season-high three steals against Washington. He was 4 of 6 from the field against the Huskies and is shooting 52.1 percent overall the last six games (25-48).

O'Brien leads Colorado in rebounding in Pac-12 play at 5.7 per game, which also ranks 13th on the league leaderboard. He had a career-high 11 in the win over Oregon.

Javon Ruffin is averaging 5.8 points and is second on the team in 3-point percentage (.365) and third in 3-pointers made (19). He had 11 points and was a career-best 7 of 7 from the free throw line at UCLA. Combined with his 12-point effort at USC, he scored in double-figures for the fourth time and first time in consecutive outings. Ruffin is 14th in the Pac-12 in 3-point percentage.

ABOUT THE COUGARS: Washington State is 9-11 overall and 4-5 in the Pac-12 after dropping a 77-63 decision at Utah on Jan. 19, snapping a three-game winning streak. The Cougars are 2-5 in road games but sport a huge win at Arizona, 74-61, on Jan. 7. Washington State averages 68.7 points on 43.3 percent shooting. The Cougars are the top 3-point shooting team in the Pac-12, making 8.8 per game and 36.4 percent from downtown. Washington State allows 65.5 points per game, ranking third-best in the Pac-12.

Junior guard TJ Bamba leads Washington State in scoring at 15.1 points per game, but has missed the last three contests. Sophomore forward Mouhamed Gueye is averaging 14.0 points while leading the Cougars in rebounding (8.0 rpg), blocks (18) and field goal percentage (.493). Junior guard Jabe Mullins averages 11.2 points, primarily off the bench, and is the Pac-12's leader in 3-point shooting at 48.2 percent. Junior guard Justin Powell averages 10.1 points and paces Washington State in assists (3.0 apg) and 3-pointers made (43).

SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 25th meeting between Colorado and Washington State, and the only regular season meeting in 2022-23, with the Buffaloes holding a 17-7 series edge. The teams split last season, each winning at home. Colorado has won eight of the last 12 in the series and is a perfect 11-0 against Washington State in Boulder.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Nique Clifford

Tristan da Silva

J'Vonne Hadley

Julian Hammond III

Lawson Lovering

Luke O'Brien

Javon Ruffin

KJ Simpson