Reprieve in schedule timely break for Buffs

BOULDER» The 2017-18 season began in demanding fashion for the Colorado men’s basketball team. Now the Buffaloes are taking advantage of an opportunity to regroup.

After traveling back to Colorado on Monday following their title-winning effort at the Paradise Jam over the weekend, the Buffaloes practiced Tuesday but will enjoy two days off before reconvening Friday to begin preparations for Sunday’s home game against Air Force.

CU played its first five games over 10 days, improving to 5-0 with Sunday’s win against Mercer in the Paradise Jam finale. But while the competition gets more difficult in the coming weeks, it does so at a more deliberate pace.

The Buffs get a full week off before taking on the Falcons, and after that game they play their next three games over the course of 13 days — culminating in their biggest nonconference challenge of the year at No. 15 Xavier on Dec. 9.

“I was looking at some other teams’ schedules, and some have played only twice or three times,” junior guard Namon Wright said. “The way our schedule worked, we played early, now we get two games in two weeks or something like that. I think it’s good for us to come back and lock in on practice and get better at the things that we need to get better at.”

Coach Tad Boyle said he believed this is the first time during his tenure his club has taken two days off around Thanksgiving, but the long lull between games following the season’s opening salvo provides an opportunity for the Buffs to get healthy and refocus.

“This is a long season,” Boyle said. “As a coach, you want that extra day of practice. Traveling wasn’t easy coming back from Lynchburg. We ran up and down pretty good (Tuesday). They deserve it and I want them to enjoy Thanksgiving and come back. This stretch, the way the schedule works, it makes sense I think to give them two days. I do think we can use it.”

Siewert update.

Boyle described the status of Lucas Siewert as doubtful for Sunday’s home date against Air Force but remained uncertain how long the sophomore forward might be sidelined.

Siewert suffered a sprained ankle in the second half of Saturday’s win against Drake and remained sidelined against Mercer on Sunday.

“No feel. It’s still a little early,” Boyle said. “I’m hoping to get him back for Colorado State (on Dec. 2) but I haven’t even talked to (trainer) Rawley (Klingsmith) about that. We’ll get a feeling in the next few days.”