Buffs attempt to salvage road split after UW loss
Colorado’s unexpected setback against a Washington team that had been winless in Pac12 Conference play marked the Buffaloes third loss within the league.
There has been a common theme among two of those losses, including Wednesday’s defeat against the Huskies. Like the focused and energized team the Buffs’ lost to at Arizona on Dec. 28, the Huskies this week stunned CU by playing what was by far their best game of the season.
For a Buffs squad that still expects to contend for a Pac-12 title, absorbing an opponent’s best shot is a hurdle CU will have to get accustomed to. And deal with more appropriately. Chances are, the Buffs will encounter another team eager to make a statement on Saturday night, as CU attempts to salvage a split of its trip through Washington against Washington State.
“I was really concerned about the Washington game,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “But the way we practiced the two days before was good. It was spirited, dialed-in. I didn’t get any sense whatsoever that our guys were overlooking this game.
“The bottom line is, we’re not sneaking up on anybody. Especially with the fact we thumped (Washington) pretty good in Vegas (in December). Without a doubt, up until our game (at Arizona), that was the best game they had played this year. And Washington, best game they’ve played this year to date. Hands down, not even close. We got both their best shots, and their best shots were good enough to beat us.”
Washington torched the Buffs for 84 points and 12 3-pointers despite entering Wednesday’s game ranked last in the Pac-12 in overall field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. On paper, Washington State offers a similar opportunity for the Buffs’ defense to get back on track.
In a Thursday night home loss against Utah, the Cougars managed just 56 points, shooting .377 overall while committing 15 turnovers. WSU enters the game ranked 11th overall in field goal percentage, though the Cougars rank fourth in Pac-12 games in 3point percentage.
Unlike Washington, WSU boasts a solid defense statistically, entering the contest ranked fifth in league games in defensive field goal percentage and first in defensive 3-point percentage (.306). That latter figure could be a challenge for a Buffs team that will be looking to shake off a 1-for18 night from the 3-point line against Washington.
For the Buffs, getting back in the win column could be critical with
an advantageous stretch of the schedule on the horizon. After Saturday’s game, CU plays its next four contests at home, beginning with an immediate rematch against the Cougars on Wednesday in a game postponed from early December.
“Our ball-screen defense has got to be better and we have to be able to get through screens,” Boyle said. “Against Washington State, it all comes down to ballscreen defense. It better be better than it was against Washington or we’ll give up another 80-plus points and we’re going to have to score in the 90s to win. We’ve got to figure some things out and guard the ball. We’ve got to be better. Washington State is a very quality team and they’ve got good players. They’re young, but they’re very well-coached.
“We’ve got to move on from (Washington). We can’t let one game bleed into another game. We’ve got to get back on track.”