ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 2 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
6. Colorado Buffaloes
For most teams, the first three opponents of the season are designed to be easier wins and a chance to work out the early season kinks before higher-profile opponents come to town. For CU, that first ‘bye game’ came against the Colorado School of Mines.
It didn’t feel like an low-stress victory for the Ralphie and the rest of the Buffs, and a final score of 66-57 had me, and my basketball brain, quite confused. So we did some digging to find out more. Upon further investigation we see that the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, yes Orediggers, are actually a pretty good basketball team.
When coach Tad Boyle scheduled the matchup, he knew exactly what his team was up against.
"“If we can play from the neck up like those guys, with our athleticism, and play with their discipline, we have a chance to be really, really good. It’s an opportunity to learn, that’s what these games are all about.”"
The Orediggers jumped out on the Buffs early and led 36-31 at one point in the second half, but CU went on a 10-0 run and never lost the lead again.
Week 1 was a success for the Buffs from the perspective of earning a win.
Offensively, Tyler Bey provided a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while McKinley Wright IV showed balance, adding 14 points, eight assists, three rebounds and no turnovers. The performance of the pairing offered a glimpse of what to expect for most of the season.
Colorado’s next matchup is against the Drake Bulldogs in Boulder.
– Geraffo