November 26th 2024.
The mid-term exam for the Colorado men's basketball team in the Maui Invitational didn't go as planned. Facing off against strong opponents, the Buffaloes struggled to keep up and suffered their first loss of the season against Michigan State. And their next opponent, two-time defending champion UConn, isn't going to make things any easier.
Coach Boyle had described this tournament as a "mid-term" exam for his team, and unfortunately, their performance on Monday did not deserve a passing grade. It was clear that the Buffs were outmatched by the athleticism and physicality of the Spartans.
"We prepared for a fight, but they were better than us in every aspect of the game," Coach Boyle admitted. "Offensively, defensively, rebounding - we were just not good enough. It was an old-fashioned whipping."
The question surrounding the Buffs before this game was whether they could hold their own against bigger, more athletic teams. And against the Spartans, the answer was a resounding no. They were dominated on the glass and gave up easy looks inside, while also struggling to find their own rhythm on offense.
"We got a little too drive-happy, myself included," said Trevor Baskin, one of the Buffs' top players. "We did a poor job of adjusting and getting back to what we did the first 10 minutes of the game."
It was a tough loss for the Buffs, but they must regroup quickly as they face off against UConn on Tuesday. And with the way UConn has been playing, it's going to be another big challenge for Colorado.
The first half of the game against Michigan State was a struggle for the Buffs. After making their first three shots, they went cold and missed their final 10 3-point attempts. The Spartans took advantage of this and went on a 17-4 run, giving them a comfortable lead at halftime.
The Buffs did briefly make a run in the second half, thanks to some 3-pointers from Julian Hammond III, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The Spartans continued to extend their lead and the Buffs couldn't keep up.
Despite a decent total of 13 assists, the Buffs' offense often devolved into one-on-one battles that they couldn't win against the Spartans' athleticism. And on the defensive end, they struggled to keep the ball out of the paint, which was one of their main goals going into the game.
"It's soft," Coach Boyle said of his team's defense. "If you're not tough against Michigan State, you have no chance. And we weren't very tough."
It was a disappointing performance for the Buffs, but they'll have another chance to prove themselves on Tuesday. And as Coach Boyle said, "We have to be tougher if we want to beat a team like UConn."
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