Buffs focusing on rebounding, turnover issues

BOULDER» There were aspects that were encouraging for the Colorado men’s basketball team during Tuesday’s loss at San Diego. But, in the end, the Buffaloes’ attention to detail was lacking.

Coach Tad Boyle is hoping to stop the bleeding on a couple of early shortcomings for his club before they become glaring deficiencies.

One is a familiar foe in turnovers. The other is rebounding, after CU surrendered 15 offensive rebounds against the Toreros on Tuesday.

“We watched six possessions, I think three in the first half and three in the second,” Boyle said. “In five of those, we gave up 13 points after we got a stop. We played really, really good defense. Contested shots, just what we wanted. But we didn’t get the rebound, and it led to a three or it led to another two. So six possessions, three in the first half and three in the second, 15 points. Ball game.

“That’s the game right there. That’s the difference between 3-0 and 2-1.”

Perhaps even more discouraging than an off-night on the boards was another poor effort on the turnover front by the Buffs. CU committed 14 at San Diego, and in the final tally the Buffs and Toreros were even with nine points apiece off turnovers.

But for a program that has struggled in that department under Boyle in general, and the last few seasons in particular, the early results don’t inspire confidence.