The Oregon State Beavers came out in zone and half-court trap sets all game, however, the Buffaloes kept pushing the ball and they were able to win easily 82-60. The Buffaloes shot 53% from the field and had 10 steals while forcing 16 turnovers. Andre Roberson led the way with 16 points and had 15 rebounds, while Booker added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Overall, it was a good rebound for the Buffaloes after their sluggish performance at UCLA this past Saturday.
Things the Buffaloes did well: This was the best game for the Buffaloes in terms of pushing the ball. Colorado ran Oregon State off the floor. It was clear the Buffaloes were going to keep playing the transition game until they could be stopped and they never were. Also, the Buffaloes cut down on their mistakes and were more patient against the zone and trap unlike previous games. Askia Booker did a good job all game long cutting and penetrating the zone, which kept Oregon State off balance. Andre Roberson had another great game getting the easy points and had some highlight dunks. When he stays out of foul trouble, he gets consistent minutes on the court and plays much freer. Down the stretch, if he can continue to stay out of foul trouble the Buffaloes will have more and more success. Austin Dufault keeps improving his game as he had 14 points. He continues to hit his outside shot successfully and has finally found some go to post moves. Furthermore, it was a dominant performance for the Buffaloes and they continue to look like a different team at home.
Things the Buffaloes struggled with: Their man-to-man defense is still suspect at times. Help defense comes too late and they play too far past the three-point line. The Buffaloes' defense is already very good, however, if they could just step into help a little bit earlier and more often, they would have an elite defense. Additionally, the Buffaloes still seem like they don't have a successful inbounds play. It is almost as if they fear inbounding the ball and just want to get the ball on the court. It would be nice to see the Buffaloes develop a successful inbounds play since it is an easy way to score when they are in a scoring funk.
Up Next: Colorado plays Oregon this Saturday at the Coors Event Center. Oregon has had an up and down year, getting beat at home by Oregon State, yet winning at Arizona. Although they have good scorers in E.J. Singler and Devoe Joseph, I just don't see the Buffaloes losing at home this year. If the Buffaloes play their normal game, they should be able to pull out a close win.
0 recs | 8 comments
I mentioned it on the game thread but
I really feel like tradition and a winning attitude is starting to establish itself in Boulder. Fans are proud of this team, the student section is alive, and our team came into the game with a swagger. Sure we still have our road issues (which can be fixed) but watching this program grow has been been pretty awesome. Everyone thought this was going to be a rebuilding year-NO! we reloaded like great programs do. Now we “just” have to break through and make the tournament. We can do this people! Gotta defend home court though. Pack the Keg! Beat Oregon!
BigXIITDOG - February 2, 2012
Hallelujah brother
I thing the suffering is over. We might have some ups and downs but I think the downs won’t be too down….and the ups well the ups are going to be UP! Really good to see the development continue!
Kubufffan - February 4, 2012
I agree with almost everything you said but...
I still do believe this was a “rebuilding” year. Any time you lose 2 players to the NBA (and the other good players we lost) there’s no other way to describe it. We were fortunate with the timing of moving into a weak Pac-12. Next year should be a “reloading” year. Losing our only guy who can really create his own offense (Brown) will be tough but a year older Dinwiddie and Booker (and Johnson) should be able to pick up the slack and you would certainly hope that Scott (even as a true frosh) should be able to make up for Dufault’s absence.
It would still take an absolute miracle for us to make the tourney this year, don’t get your hopes up. We’d pretty much have to win the regular season title (5 of the remaining 8 on the road, very unlikely) or win the conference tourney (again, very unlikely with how we play away from Boulder). But still, finishing well up in the top half of the conference and a NIT berth should still be considered a very successful season.
nebraskasux - February 4, 2012
it's probably semantics, but I wouldn't even qualify it as rebuilding
More like a “building” year. DOG said, “we reloaded like great programs do.” But we’re not a great program. We’re building to be a good program. Luckily, we’ve been able to have success while relying on young players and coaching, but an NIT team that begets another NIT team does not a great program make.
Regarding the Pac 12 tournament, there’s bad news and good news. Bad News: Tickets are crazy expensive for something with so little demand. Good News: I can take the subway! #analysis
Phil Fraser - February 4, 2012
Rebuilding,reloading, building....
I don’t really care what you call it. Obviously we are not a great tradition, however I do believe we are already a good program. My criteria: good coaching….check…..good fan support….check…..good recruiting….double check….good program? I say hell yes!
Kubufffan - February 4, 2012
a year and a half does not a good program make
Phil Fraser - February 4, 2012
Oh yea
Winning. We have had some of that too!
Kubufffan - February 4, 2012
Depends
On ones criteria I guess…
Kubufffan - February 4, 2012
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