BOULDER — The Colorado men’s basketball team features players born as early as 1999, so just before the Buffaloes took the floor against No. 4 Arizona State on Thursday night, CU coach Tad Boyle decided to give his youngsters a quick history lesson.
“We showed them a (video) clip before they took the floor of previous teams in our regime that have won big games,” Boyle said, “whether it was Kansas, Texas or Missouri. … ‘Now, it’s time for you guys to write your next chapter.’ ”
CU accepted the challenge with a dramatic 90-81 overtime victory — the Buffaloes’ 16th win over a top-25 team since 2010 — but time for celebration was limited. CU (9-6, 1-2) knocked out one giant, with another giant just on the horizon: No. 14 Arizona (12-3, 2-0) at noon Saturday inside the Coors Events Center.
While confidence reigns high in Boulder, the Buffs can trash the game plan from Thursday night in preparation for the Wildcats only two days later, because as Boyle explained: “Arizona presents totally different problems than Arizona State does.”
The Wildcats ride a nine-game winning streak into Boulder, including an 84-78 victory against Arizona State, with some of the best frontcourt play in the country. Freshman forward Deandre Ayton (7-foot-1, 260 pounds) has 11 double-doubles in 15 games as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He starts alongside another towering force in senior center Dusan Ristic (7-0, 245), who totaled 11 points and nine rebounds in a 94-82 road win at Utah on Thursday.
CU’s probable starters in the paint are freshmen Tyler Bey (6-7, 206) and Dallas Walton (7-0, 230), who combined for 10 points and 15 rebounds against a much more guard-oriented ASU offense. That production will be more difficult to attain against the Wildcats.
“We have great big guys coming in on Saturday,” CU senior forward George King said. “We’ll make adjustments, we’ll watch film. I’m a versatile player, I can play both styles. Saturday may not be so up and down with so many threes.”
Boyle won’t have to show his young team any more highlights to imagine the joy of toppling among the nation’s best on your home floor. The task is to replicate that feeling Saturday, so eventually, upset victories turn to expected victories.
“I want to be that team with the little number next to us,” Boyle said, referencing his goal to be consistently ranked in the top 25.
