There is a certain glimmer in a coach’s eye after his team overcomes adversity and plays like he has known they are capable of playing for such a long time, especially when the victory comes in March.
“That’s what basketball in March is all about,” said CU men’s basketball head coach Tad Boyle after the Buffs’ win over the University of Oregon on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Freshman Askia Booker drives to the basket during a season game 72-71 win over the Oregon Ducks. The Buffs defeated Oregon again this weekend in the Pac-12 tournament in LA, 63 to 62. (CU Independent/James Bradbury)
Boyle was proud of his team’s 63-62 upset win over Oregon, which takes them into the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament.
Boyle said the Pac-12 Tournament is a chance at redemption, to once again prove people wrong.
“These guys are here on a mission,” Boyle said. “I like the focus of our team right now.”
Even with the Buffs being keyed in, the Oregon Ducks did not give this game up easily.
Colorado was leading the Ducks 58-50 in the final minutes of the game. CU had played well, forcing the tempo and style of game in their favor. Cruising turned into coasting, however, as Oregon went on a 10-0 run the joyride came to a sudden holt with the Ducks regaining the lead.
“We had a nice lead there going down the stretch, and they overtook it,” Boyle said. “Our guys kept our composure and made plays when we had to.”
Freshman guard Spencer Dinwiddie put the ball on the floor with 15 seconds to play. He went right, found a lane and drove to the hoop aggressively. Two post defenders flew at Dinwiddie, altering his shot as to not get blocked. The ball hit off the backboard, then the rim, and then floated in the waiting arms of sophomore forward Andre Roberson who laid the ball in the hoop.
“I just felt like when I saw Spencer go, I just crashed the board like I normally do,” Roberson said. “It fell into my hands and I got it up.”
Colorado’s dramatic win tested the Buffs. Throughout the season, coach Boyle has been preaching to his team to play their game and to finish. They satisfied his requests in the most crucial of times, keeping the team’s NCAA tournament hopes still alive.
“So we wanted to maintain our aggressiveness, and we lost that a little bit,” Boyle said. A slower tempo to run the clock put the Buffs out of rhythm late and forced them to make necessary plays to win. “There’s no question. Oregon got the momentum back and made some shots, but our guys bucked up when they had to.”
With the win, Colorado now is one game away from a spot in the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament Championship game. The Buffs will take on Cal on Friday at 9:30 MST. CU has split the season series so far with the Golden Bears.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Andy McDonnell at Andrew.mcdonnell@colorado.edu.
