CU BUFFS MEN’S BASKETBALL AT NO. 10 ARIZONA WILDCATS
TIPOFF: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. MT, Mckale Center. TV/RADIO: ESPN/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM. RECORDS: Colorado 11-2, 2-0 Pac-12 Conference; Arizona 10-3, 1-1. COACHES: Colorado — Tad Boyle, 14th season (283-174, 339-240 overall).arizona — Tommy Lloyd, 3rd season (71-14 at UA and overall). KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — G KJ Simpson, 6-2, Jr. (21.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, .562 FG%, .471 3%); F J’vonne Hadley, 6-6, Sr. (10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .543 FG%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Jr. (9.8 ppg, .540 FG%, .477 3%); C Eddie Lampkin Jr., 6-11, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg, .517 FG%); G/F Luke O’brien, 6-8, Sr. (7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .406 3%). Arizona — G Caleb Love, 6-4, Sr. (17.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.2 apg); C Oumar Ballo, 7-0, R-SR. (13.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .637 FG%); G Pelle Larsson, 6-6, Sr. (12.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg., .500 3%); F Keshad Johnson, 6-7, Sr. (12.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .533 FG%); G Kylan Boswell, 6-2, So. (10.9 ppg, 4.2 apg, .403 3%).
NOTES: A win would give the Buffs their first 3-0start within league since the 2011-12 season, their first in the Pac-12. … CU is 0-12 all-time at the Mckale Center (0-11 since joining the Pac-12) and has lost its last 13 road games overall in Tucson. … UA (plus-13.1) and the Buffs (plus-12.0) boast the top two average rebounding margins in the Pac-12. The teams also own the top two assist totals in the league, with the Wildcats averaging 19.8 and CU averaging 18.9. … The Buffs have lost their past 18 games against ranked foes in true road games. CU hasn’t posted a win against a top-10 team in a true road game since winning at No. 5 Missouri on Jan. 15, 1973. … The Buffs own a six-game winning streak for the first time since late in the 2020-21 season. … Arizona’s demanding nonconference schedule included wins against Duke, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Alabama. Prior to Sunday’s loss against Stanford, the Wildcats’ only setbacks were against Purdue, currently ranked No. 1, and in double overtime against Florida Atlantic, which has been ranked all season. … The Buffs went 2-8 in Pac-12 road games last year. … CU’S three-game road trip continues on Saturday at Arizona State (6 p.m., ESPNU).