Advertisement

Final nonconference test at hand for high-scoring CU Buffs men's basketball

pat rooney, daily times-call, longmont, colo.
·5 min read

Dec. 20—The real fun begins after the holiday weekend.

Still, every goal potentially in sight for the Colorado men's basketball team will unravel without focusing through the final pre-holiday test.

A mostly-stirring run through nonconference play comes to an end on Thursday night, as the Buffaloes host Utah Tech in the final pre-Pac-12 tilt of the season. The November-December slate hasn't been without its blemishes, as a Nov. 21 loss against Florida State is one the Buffs will continue to regret, but through 10 games CU generally has balanced an electric offense with solid defense.

Keeping that momentum rolling through one more nonconference date will give the Buffs a well-earned respite ahead of a holiday break that precedes the start of CU's final run through the Pac-12.

"Utah Tech has some good players," CU head coach Tad Boyle said. "They're well-disciplined. If we're not ready to play, this is a team that can certainly spoil our holidays, which we don't want to have happen. I think if we have the right mindset and the right energy level, and play the way we're capable of playing, I like our chances."

Following the game, the Buffs will be free to return to their respective homes before reconvening in Boulder on Christmas night. CU will then begin preparations for its Pac-12 opener at home on Dec. 29 against Washington. The Buffs are a veteran team, however, and a few players are planning to stay put.

"Everybody has their own plans and what they do," said CU point guard KJ Simpson, a native of the Los Angeles area who plans to remain in Boulder during the break. "As far as some of the older, they like to stay, they like to shoot and be around basketball. Even the people that do go back home for Christmas, obviously it's a nice break to be with your family, but I know basketball is going to be on their mind and they'll be working out and will come back ready to go. Because once we come back, it's Pac-12 play."

Through Tuesday's games, CU ranked in the top 13 in the nation in field goal percentage (third, .521), free throw percentage (eighth, .792), assists per game (eighth, 19.3) and 3-point percentage (13th, .398). While Simpson and Tristan da Silva, two early favorites for first-team all-conference honors, have led the way, CU has featured a balanced attack. The Buffs have had six double-figure scorers in four games (Grambling State, Milwaukee, Miami, Northern Colorado) after not achieving that feat since the 2018 Pac-12 tournament. CU also had five double-figure scorers against Iona.

Utah Tech has won its first two games within the Western Athletic Conference and makes its first trip to Boulder sporting solid defensive numbers. The Trailblazers' opponents have shot just .419 overall and .337 on 3-pointers.

"I think Utah Tech's got some guys that can shoot the ball, score the ball, and they can guard," Boyle said. "They double-team the post after you put the ball on the floor a little bit. They double-team the point guard on ball-screens. They'll maybe try to take the ball out of KJ's hands. They might be trying to double-team Eddie (Lampkin) and those bigs in the post. If they do that, we've just got to share the ball and keep doing what we've been doing."

Utah Tech Trailblazers at CU Buffs men's basketball

TIPOFF: Thursday, 5 p.m., CU Events Center.

TV/RADIO: Pac-12 Network/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.

RECORDS: Utah Tech 5-6, 2-0 WAC; Colorado 8-2.

COACHES: Utah Tech— Jon Judkins, 19th season (325-189 at Utah Tech and overall). Colorado — Tad Boyle, 14th season (280-174, 336-240 overall).

KEY PLAYERS: Utah Tech — F/C Tanner Christensen, 6-10, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .560 FG%); G Noa Gonsalves, 6-1, Jr. (10.5 ppg); G Beon Riley, 6-6, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .529 3%); G Aric Demings, 6-0, Fr. (9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .343 3%). Colorado — G KJ Simpson, 6-2, Jr. (19.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, .578 FG%, .459 3%); F Tristan da Silva, 6-9, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, .540 FG%, .400 3%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 2.3 apg, .457 3%); F J'Vonne Hadley, 6-6, Sr. (9.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .587 FG%); C Eddie Lampkin Jr., 6-11, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg); G/F Luke O'Brien, 6-8, Sr. (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg).

NOTES: Formerly known as Dixie State, Utah Tech is in its fourth season as a Division I program after moving up from Division II. ... During his time at Utah Tech, head coach Jon Judkins also oversaw Dixie State's move from the junior college level to Division II in 2006-07. ... CU standout freshman Cody Williams is expected to miss his third consecutive game due to an injured left wrist. On Thursday, Boyle said, "He probably won't go against Utah Tech." ... This is the first matchup between the programs. ... Simpson has recorded nine steals over the past two games and has made 18 consecutive free throws. ... Utah Tech owns a three-game losing streak that includes a five-point loss last week at CSUN, which won on Monday night at UCLA. ... Following the game, the Buffs will be released for a few days before reconvening ahead of the Pac-12 Conference opener at home on Dec. 29 against Washington (7 p.m., ESPNU).