Colorado was lucky to have such an inferior opponent as they struggled for a majority of the game, but they were able to hold on and win against the Sun Devils 63-49. Colorado allowed Arizona State to take countless open shots and Arizona State just didn't make them. Spencer Dinwiddie had 15 points and Andre Roberson was a force on defense while adding 12 points and collecting 9 rebounds. Overall, it was a very sloppy performance, but Colorado should just be happy to get another road win.
Things the Buffaloes did well: Askia Booker returned to his usual self and added some instant offense off the bench adding 9 points. Andre Roberson is by far the best defensive player every game for the Buffaloes. His help defense leads to multiple turnovers and he never gets rebounded over. Although Colorado played carelessly for most of the game, they were able to finally show a killer instinct and pull away and this was mostly because of Roberson. Austin Dufault came on towards the end of the game as well and he contributed 12 points. More importantly, Colorado shot an efficient and effective 6-13 from the three point line.
Things the Buffaloes struggled with: Colorado had 14 turnovers and almost all of them were careless. In the first half, the defense was very lazy and they were late in help situations. Along with that, the shot selection in the first half was terrible. For most of the game, Colorado acted like they were the better team, but never proved why they were the better team. Ultimately, Colorado cannot make a habit of coming out lackadaisical because it will end up hurting the Buffaloes down the stretch.
Up Next: The Buffaloes take on Utah in Utah a week from today. If the Buffaloes play like they did tonight, they might not win. However, after a full week off, I doubt they would come out as lethargic as today. Consecutive road wins would be crucial for the Buffaloes and give them some major momentum heading into a critical showdown with Cal and Stanford.
0 recs | 13 comments
There’s not a team in America that wouldn’t benefit from Andre Roberson starting for them. We’re glad to have him.
Phil Fraser - February 11, 2012
this isn't meant as a criticizim
because obviously I know how much he brings to the team, but let me ask you a question (parker and anyone else too): how do you feel about his offensive game this year so far? Pretty much the only thing I see him doing differently than last year is the 4 or 5 times a game where he gets the ball outside the 3 point line, tries to crossover his defender and then shoots some sort of fade away jumper. This is not a very effective move! He hardly ever scores on that, and it really seems like he’s forcing it.
I know he will be a 3 in the NBA and I’m sure he’s working on his ball handling and shooting a lot but he’s a 4 for us and likely will be the next 2 seasons as well (with Scott sliding into Dufault’s spot, I don’t see any of the 7 footers we have on the roster ever being big contributors). I would love to see him develop some low post game and score more with his back to the basket. That’s my wish for Roberson next year… (and to bend his knees AS he’s shooting FTs not just before, I think that’s why he’s so inconsistent at the line, he shoots entirely with his arms!)
nebraskasux - February 11, 2012
roberson isn't going to the NBA anytime soon with the way hes been shooting
Defense is pretty stout and for turnovers I account that to youth right now (or seniors who are leaving). Offensively we have lots of room for improvement. We only have 1 or 2 guys who are consistant and the rest have their nights. We also desperately need a big man. I don’t understand how when you are all alone at the basket you miss the dunk or have bricks for hands on a board. It gets depressing when we have these problems but then again this is our rebuilding year right? Next year should be much improved on offense while keeping most of our great defensive players.
hisnamewas - February 12, 2012
Completely agree.
If he could develop a jump hook or some effective post move, that would help out the team so much on offense. Also, he drives baseline way too much on offense and it seems like he always picks up offensive fouls when he does that. If he could just stop driving baseline and develop a go to post move, he would be by far the best player on the team.
Parker_Baruh - February 12, 2012
I've been pretty disappointed, with his ball handling in particular
but to some extent, his development has been stunted by the position he’s been forced to play. To Parker’s point, I think part of the reason he drives baseline so much is that he’s not confident on his dribble, so he looks to take the path of least resistance, so to speak. He just looks so tentative playing outside in.Having some better outside shooting would help clear out the paint a little more as well. Brown, Dinwiddie, and Booker can all hit from outside, but they’re all better at slashing than spotting up. I expected him to play more 3 this year, with Tunks and Dufault inside, but… that doesn’t seem like a very good idea given Tunks’ limitations. I have similar concerns about Xavier Johnson’s game. Right now he does a lot more work inside than is ideal for a 6’6" player because Katin Reinhardt is Mater Dei’s designated outside threat. But that’s getting ahead of myself.
That said, there will always be a place in the NBA for a good, unselfish defender/ rebounder, and Roberson’s improved a lot this year as an on-ball defender. Last year he was almost exclusively a help defender. Think Tony Allen/ Kawhi Leonard/ Bruce Bowen. I doubt he’ll ever be considered an elite offensive force, but a post move, an improved handle, and a respectable corner 3 and he’ll be a guy you can’t completely ignore on that end of the floor.
Phil Fraser - February 12, 2012
Sloppy and ugly at times
but any road win is a good road win. As disappointing as we’ve been away from Boulder at times we’ve actually won every game “we should of won” on the road in conference this season and that hasn’t always been the case in years past. Now we have a week to prepare for Utah and we have to take that game seriously, I expect them to give us a stiffer challenge than ASU despite their record.
SH-T: Seriously, you need to make a mental decision on “how am I gonna finish at the basket” and always do the same thing in practice. If your knee is still so weak that you are unable to jump the required 6 inches into the air to dunk then don’t try to dunk! Take it up strong and drop it in. For a seven footer to be shooting about 20% on point-blank wide open shots is absolutely crazy, I’ve never seen anything like it.
nebraskasux - February 11, 2012
my concern with Tunks is his hands, even more than his leg
he routinely fumbles away rebounds and passes before even getting the chance to miss a layup
Phil Fraser - February 12, 2012
Good, decisive win for the Buffs today.
Glad we have the whole week to prepare for Utah, and hopefully we’ll have the momentum of 2 straight road wins to take into our last 2 home games.
I’m still pessimistic that we’ll make the tournament, but I think locking up a bye in the Pac 12 tourney is essential for that goal. In order to lock up that bye, I think we need to win 3 of 5, with one being @ Oregon, or just win 4 or 5 of 5.
Excited for the future of this program and all of the important games we’re going to play down the stretch that should help all of our freshmen mature quickly.
clutch2999 - February 11, 2012
Assuming we beat Utah
I think winning 3 of the final 4 will have us firmly in the discussion for a berth heading into the tournament. That’s no small task however.
Jon Woods - February 12, 2012
I don't think it will be enough.
We’re going to need to be in the finals of the Pac 12 tournament, or win the regular season.
The selection committee will side with the likes of Cal, Washington or Arizona over us, easy.
clutch2999 - February 13, 2012
We're in Lunardi's most recent "Next Four Out"
along with WYO and CSEwe, interestingly enough: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/48310/joe-lunardis-quick-bracketology-update
BuffulanceMan - February 13, 2012
Is that double-secret probation to be taken out of his bracket prediction?
Ash Jackson - February 13, 2012
If only....
We’d taken care of business against CSU and WYO… this conversation would be a lot easier. Hopefully the young guys learn a lesson from this. You HAVE to beat the teams you should beat, regardless of whether it’s at home or on the road.
Buff-in-CA - February 13, 2012
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