Colorado University Athletics
Saturday, February 17
Los Angeles, Calif.
8:00 PM
Colorado
at
USC
Buffs Continue L.A. Swing Saturday At USC
February 16, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Game 26 - USC, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024
Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Tip: 8:05 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN (Dave Pasch, Sean Farnham)
Watch Online: WatchESPN
Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke)
Satellite: Sirius XM 388 & SXM App (978)
Listen Online: CUBuffs.com
Live Statistics: https://statb.us/v/colo/496484
THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 16-9 overall and tied for fifth place in the Pac-12 Conference at 7-7. The Buffaloes are two games out of that coveted top four position which receives a bye in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
Colorado is coming off a 64-60 setback at UCLA on Feb. 15, in the lone meeting between the schools this season. The Buffaloes have lost their last two and four of their last five overall. Colorado is just 1-7 in true road contests this season; 3-8 away from Boulder.
Overall, Colorado is one of the top all-around shooting teams in the country, ranking in the top 13 nationally in all three percentage categories: overall field goal, 3-point and free throws. The Buffaloes are seventh in the nation in free throw percentage (.790), 10th in 3-point accuracy (.387) and 13th in overall shooting (.493).
Colorado is the only program in NCAA Division I in the nation's top 13 of all three categories (through games of Feb. 15). Colorado also sports top 50 marks nationally in rebound margin (+7.2, 18th), free throws made (16.7 mpg, 31st), assists (16.0, 39th) and scoring offense (79.8).
Colorado's 60 points against UCLA was its second-fewest of the season and the 46 field goal attempts was a season low. The 46 field goal attempts were the Buffaloes fewest since having just 42 vs. Washington State on Jan. 22, 2023 (W, 58-55)
Colorado leads the Pac-12 in field goal shooting, free throw percentage and rebounding defense (30.1 rpg) while ranking second in 3-point shooting, scoring defense (72.0 ppg) and rebound margin, third in scoring and scoring margin (+7.8) and fourth in assists.
INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING: Wooden Award late season top 20 watch list member KJ Simpson tops Colorado at 18.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game while ranking third in rebounding (5.5 rpg). He is Colorado's second-leading rebounder in Pac-12 games at 6.3 per contest, while still pacing the Buffaloes at 17.9 points and 4.7 assists.
Simpson had four points against UCLA, held to his lowest scoring total of the season and only the second time in 25 games he's been held under double figures. He had seven rebounds, leading the Buffaloes in rebounding for the third time this year.
Simpson is one of three major conference players averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game joining Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. and Creighton's Baylor Scheierman. He is one of seven in all of NCAA Division I with those numbers.
Simpson leads all major conference players in rebounding during conference games (third for all games) for those listed at 6' 2" and under. He is second in the Pac-12 in rebounding for all players listed at 6' 5" and under.
On the Pac-12 charts, Simpson is first in free throw percentage (.890), second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1) third in assists and steals, fourth in scoring, sixth in 3-point shooting (.426), 10th in minutes (33.0 mpg), 11th in defensive rebounds (4.6 drpg) and 16th in overall rebounding.
Senior forward Tristan da Silva is second on the team in scoring (15.5 ppg), field goals made (119), and 3-pointers (39) while ranking third in steals (22) and fourth in rebounding (5.3 rpg). He had 16 points against UCLA, hitting 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
Da Silva is hitting 58.3 percent from the field over the last two games (14-24) and overall has made six of his last 12 from 3-point range (.500). His three 3-pointers against UCLA mark the sixth time this season he's hit at least three in a game; just the second time in conference play.
On the Pac-12 charts, da Silva ranks eighth in free throw percentage (.821), 11th in scoring, 17th in 3-point shooting (.382) and 19th in rebounding.
McDonald's All-American Cody Williams is third on the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game while shooting a team-best 58.2 percent from the field. He had 18 points at UCLA leading the Buffaloes in scoring for the third time. Williams hit his first eight field goal attempts; finished 8-of-9 after missing a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer with the Bruins up by the final margin of four.
Senior J'Vonne Hadley averages 11.3 points per game while ranking second on the team in steals (29) and rebounding (5.7 rpg) and third in shooting (.550).
Hadley recorded his first career NCAA Division I double-double with 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against Arizona State. It was his third-career double-figure rebounding game; his previous high was 10 achieved twice last season (vs. Tennessee, at UCLA).
Hadley saw a streak of 18 consecutive free throws made end at UCLA, but is still among in the elite in the Pac-12 in that category. He is second in the Pac-12 in conference games at 88.2 percent, hitting 45 of 51. Hadley made a career-best 8-for-8 against Arizona.
On the overall Pac-12 charts, he is sixth in free throw percentage (.839), ninth in field goal shooting, 14th in overall rebounds and 15th in defensive boards (4.3 drpg).
Senior Eddie Lampkin, Jr., leads the Buffaloes and ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in rebounding at 7.2 per game. Lampkin recorded his team-best seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds at Utah.
In all he has nine double-digit rebounding games for the Buffaloes. The Utah double-double was the 13th of his collegiate career, adding his six from TCU.
On the Pac-12 leaderboard, Lampkin is also fourth in offensive rebounds (2.5 orpg), eighth in field goal percentage (.552) and 10th in defensive boards (4.6 drpg).
Junior Julian Hammond III is averaging 7.5 points and is fifth on the team in assists with 44. Hammond is 11th in the Pac-12 in 3-point percentage (.397).
Senior Luke O'Brien is averaging 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is third on the team in blocked shots with 10 and is fourth in steals (18) and fifth in rebounding.
ABOUT THE TROJANS: USC is 10-15 overall and 4-10 in the Pac-12 coming off a 68-64 win against Utah on Feb. 15, snapping a two-game skid. USC averages 74.1 points while shooting 44.5 percent from the field. Defensively, the Trojans have allowed 74.9 points while opponents shoot 42.8 percent. USC leads the Pac-12 and ranks 15th in the nation in blocks at 5.3 per game.
Fifth-year senior Boogie Ellis leads USC at 16.1 points per game and has the third-most 3-pointers in the Pac-12 this season with 61. Freshman guard Isaiah Collier averages 15.7 points and leads the team in assists with 78. Kobe Johnson averages 10.2 points with a team-best 42 steals. Joshua Morgan averages 5.8 points on 58.4 percent shooting and is ninth in the country in blocks at 2.4 per game.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 28th meeting between Colorado and USC with the Buffaloes holding a 17-10 series lead. Colorado won the season's first meeting, 68-58 in Boulder on Jan. 13, snapping a three-game Trojans win streak in the series. Colorado holds a 6-5 edge in Los Angeles.
Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Tip: 8:05 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN (Dave Pasch, Sean Farnham)
Watch Online: WatchESPN
Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke)
Satellite: Sirius XM 388 & SXM App (978)
Listen Online: CUBuffs.com
Live Statistics: https://statb.us/v/colo/496484
THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 16-9 overall and tied for fifth place in the Pac-12 Conference at 7-7. The Buffaloes are two games out of that coveted top four position which receives a bye in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
Colorado is coming off a 64-60 setback at UCLA on Feb. 15, in the lone meeting between the schools this season. The Buffaloes have lost their last two and four of their last five overall. Colorado is just 1-7 in true road contests this season; 3-8 away from Boulder.
Overall, Colorado is one of the top all-around shooting teams in the country, ranking in the top 13 nationally in all three percentage categories: overall field goal, 3-point and free throws. The Buffaloes are seventh in the nation in free throw percentage (.790), 10th in 3-point accuracy (.387) and 13th in overall shooting (.493).
Colorado is the only program in NCAA Division I in the nation's top 13 of all three categories (through games of Feb. 15). Colorado also sports top 50 marks nationally in rebound margin (+7.2, 18th), free throws made (16.7 mpg, 31st), assists (16.0, 39th) and scoring offense (79.8).
Colorado's 60 points against UCLA was its second-fewest of the season and the 46 field goal attempts was a season low. The 46 field goal attempts were the Buffaloes fewest since having just 42 vs. Washington State on Jan. 22, 2023 (W, 58-55)
Colorado leads the Pac-12 in field goal shooting, free throw percentage and rebounding defense (30.1 rpg) while ranking second in 3-point shooting, scoring defense (72.0 ppg) and rebound margin, third in scoring and scoring margin (+7.8) and fourth in assists.
INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING: Wooden Award late season top 20 watch list member KJ Simpson tops Colorado at 18.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game while ranking third in rebounding (5.5 rpg). He is Colorado's second-leading rebounder in Pac-12 games at 6.3 per contest, while still pacing the Buffaloes at 17.9 points and 4.7 assists.
Simpson had four points against UCLA, held to his lowest scoring total of the season and only the second time in 25 games he's been held under double figures. He had seven rebounds, leading the Buffaloes in rebounding for the third time this year.
Simpson is one of three major conference players averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game joining Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. and Creighton's Baylor Scheierman. He is one of seven in all of NCAA Division I with those numbers.
Simpson leads all major conference players in rebounding during conference games (third for all games) for those listed at 6' 2" and under. He is second in the Pac-12 in rebounding for all players listed at 6' 5" and under.
On the Pac-12 charts, Simpson is first in free throw percentage (.890), second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1) third in assists and steals, fourth in scoring, sixth in 3-point shooting (.426), 10th in minutes (33.0 mpg), 11th in defensive rebounds (4.6 drpg) and 16th in overall rebounding.
Senior forward Tristan da Silva is second on the team in scoring (15.5 ppg), field goals made (119), and 3-pointers (39) while ranking third in steals (22) and fourth in rebounding (5.3 rpg). He had 16 points against UCLA, hitting 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
Da Silva is hitting 58.3 percent from the field over the last two games (14-24) and overall has made six of his last 12 from 3-point range (.500). His three 3-pointers against UCLA mark the sixth time this season he's hit at least three in a game; just the second time in conference play.
On the Pac-12 charts, da Silva ranks eighth in free throw percentage (.821), 11th in scoring, 17th in 3-point shooting (.382) and 19th in rebounding.
McDonald's All-American Cody Williams is third on the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game while shooting a team-best 58.2 percent from the field. He had 18 points at UCLA leading the Buffaloes in scoring for the third time. Williams hit his first eight field goal attempts; finished 8-of-9 after missing a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer with the Bruins up by the final margin of four.
Senior J'Vonne Hadley averages 11.3 points per game while ranking second on the team in steals (29) and rebounding (5.7 rpg) and third in shooting (.550).
Hadley recorded his first career NCAA Division I double-double with 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against Arizona State. It was his third-career double-figure rebounding game; his previous high was 10 achieved twice last season (vs. Tennessee, at UCLA).
Hadley saw a streak of 18 consecutive free throws made end at UCLA, but is still among in the elite in the Pac-12 in that category. He is second in the Pac-12 in conference games at 88.2 percent, hitting 45 of 51. Hadley made a career-best 8-for-8 against Arizona.
On the overall Pac-12 charts, he is sixth in free throw percentage (.839), ninth in field goal shooting, 14th in overall rebounds and 15th in defensive boards (4.3 drpg).
Senior Eddie Lampkin, Jr., leads the Buffaloes and ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in rebounding at 7.2 per game. Lampkin recorded his team-best seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds at Utah.
In all he has nine double-digit rebounding games for the Buffaloes. The Utah double-double was the 13th of his collegiate career, adding his six from TCU.
On the Pac-12 leaderboard, Lampkin is also fourth in offensive rebounds (2.5 orpg), eighth in field goal percentage (.552) and 10th in defensive boards (4.6 drpg).
Junior Julian Hammond III is averaging 7.5 points and is fifth on the team in assists with 44. Hammond is 11th in the Pac-12 in 3-point percentage (.397).
Senior Luke O'Brien is averaging 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is third on the team in blocked shots with 10 and is fourth in steals (18) and fifth in rebounding.
ABOUT THE TROJANS: USC is 10-15 overall and 4-10 in the Pac-12 coming off a 68-64 win against Utah on Feb. 15, snapping a two-game skid. USC averages 74.1 points while shooting 44.5 percent from the field. Defensively, the Trojans have allowed 74.9 points while opponents shoot 42.8 percent. USC leads the Pac-12 and ranks 15th in the nation in blocks at 5.3 per game.
Fifth-year senior Boogie Ellis leads USC at 16.1 points per game and has the third-most 3-pointers in the Pac-12 this season with 61. Freshman guard Isaiah Collier averages 15.7 points and leads the team in assists with 78. Kobe Johnson averages 10.2 points with a team-best 42 steals. Joshua Morgan averages 5.8 points on 58.4 percent shooting and is ninth in the country in blocks at 2.4 per game.
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the 28th meeting between Colorado and USC with the Buffaloes holding a 17-10 series lead. Colorado won the season's first meeting, 68-58 in Boulder on Jan. 13, snapping a three-game Trojans win streak in the series. Colorado holds a 6-5 edge in Los Angeles.
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