CU Buffs look to meet standards in Central Florida – The Denver Post

Colorado left town earlier than usual for a business trip, anticipating the winter storm to settle in Orlando, Fla., where even Tuesday’s temperature in the 50s was probably a welcome relief.

Before the Buffaloes left Boulder, they faced some frustrations.

The CU men’s basketball team had a tough practice Monday before flying to Orlando, where they will visit the Central Florida Knights for the first time as Big 12 Conference rivals Wednesday night.

The Buffs are coming off arguably their most frustrating effort of the season, losing by 20 points at Arizona State to a Sun Devils team that is without its leading scorer. A loss is one thing. But after watching his team get passed and pushed around at ASU, UC head coach Tad Boyle hinted that changes could be in store if the Buffs continue to head in the wrong direction .

“You have to decide as a coach, what are the non-negotiables? » said Boyle. “Because we can’t lower the standards of our program for one team or one guy. Standards are standards, and we must respect them. And we don’t do that at the moment. The first is to make this clear to the guys. The standards that we have set for this program are not being met with our defensive efforts and our rebounding efforts.

“The second thing is that 50-50 balls… it’s unacceptable. It’s non-negotiable. You don’t give them a pass on that. No one gets a pass for being pushed around or strained. I should not be emotional about how I react, but make them understand. I think we did it in practice (Monday).

After putting up a creditable fight against No. 3 Iowa State in the Big 12 opener, the Buffs fell flat in every facet at ASU. CU shot a season-low .125 (3-for-24) from 3-point range and was overwhelmed 38-34. Including a non-conference matchup against ISU at the Maui Invitational, the Buffs were overwhelmed by all three of their Big 12 opponents.

Beyond the numbers, though, Boyle expressed frustration with CU’s effort against ASU, as nearly every loose ball ended up in the Sun Devils’ hands. The changes might not happen as soon as Wednesday at UCF. But if performance doesn’t change, it won’t take long.

Boyle has already used five different starting lineups over the course of 13 games. Before leaving for Orlando, Boyle said the Buffs juggled their practice routine in hopes of getting a more spirited performance against a UCF team that has several credible wins under its belt.

The Knights opened the season with a win over current AP No. 12 Texas A&M, and opened Big 12 play with a solid road win at Texas Tech. On Sunday, however, UCF was defeated by 51 points at home against Kansas.

“We changed our training a little bit (Monday). The definition of insanity is you keep doing the same thing and expect different results,” Boyle said. “So we have to change our practices. Maybe we need to change the lineups. We need to change the rotations. We need to change minutes. When you have inconsistencies from game to game, you can’t overreact. Every team in America is inconsistent. It’s just the reaction of your players.

CU improves men’s basketball at Central Florida Knights

NOTICE: Wednesday, 5 p.m. MT, Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, Florida.

TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM

RECORDINGS: Colorado 9-4, 0-2 Big 12; UCF 10-3, 1-1.

COACHES: Colorado — Tad Boyle, 15th season (307-187, 363-253 overall). Central Florida – Johnny Dawkins, 9th season (158-106, 314-221 overall).

KEY PLAYERS: Colorado – G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 3.5 apg, .407 3%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr. (11.2 ppg, 3.8 RPG, .637 FG%); F Andrej Jakimovski, 6-8, Gr. (11.0 ppg, 4.8 RPG); F Trevor Baskin, 6-9, Gr. (9.8 ppg, 6.5 RPG, .532 FG%); G RJ Smith, 6-3, R-So. (7.6 ppg, 2.8 RPG, 2.5 apg, .548 3%); F Bangot Dak, 6-11, So. (5.7 points per game, 3.2 role plays); F Assane Diop, 6-8, So. (3.5 points per game, 4.5 role plays). Central Florida – G/F Keyshawn Hall, 6-7, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 6.5 RPG); G Jordan Ivy-Curry, 6-3, Gr. (14.8 ppg, 3.0 RPG, .354 3%); G Darius Johnson, 6-1, Sr. (14.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.8 rpg, .446 3%); C Moustapha Thiam, 7-2, P. (7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 0.486 FG%); G Dallan Coleman, 6-6, Sr. (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, .457 3%).

REMARKS: The Buffs are trying to avoid their first 0-3 start in the league since an 0-7 start in the Pac-12 in 2016-17. … Colorado attempted just 23 free throws in the first two Big 12 games after averaging 21.3 attempts in 11 non-conference games. … Through Monday, UCF ranked 13th in the Big 12 in 3-point percentage (.339) and 16th in field goal percentage (.421), points allowed (76.6) and rebound margin (minus-0.3). … The Buffs are averaging 14.5 turnovers per game, a high in the Big 12. The Knights started the week averaging 12.7 turnovers per game. … Despite being outscored 38-34 at ASU, the Buffs tied a season high with 15 offensive rebounds. CU also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the season opener against Eastern Washington. … The Buffs have shot .229 (16 for 70) on 3-pointers over the last three games. … CU returns home to host No. 21 West Virginia on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN+).

Originally published: January 7, 2025 at 3:20 p.m. MST