ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 4 Power Rankings

6. Colorado Buffaloes

Unlike most Pac-12 schools, “Feast Week” didn’t feature Colorado in a national tournament.

Instead, the Buffaloes gathered in the west coast, falling in a true road test at San Diego before a blowout victory over Air Force.

Tuesday’s matchup against the Toreros was one of the most peculiar results of the young season. The Buffaloes outmatched their opponent in field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage, steals, blocks and assists, but they still lost 70-64.

One statistic, however, put Tad Boyle’s squad in an uphill battle – free throw shooting. Late defensive rotations gave the Toreros 21 opportunities at the charity stripe, connecting 18 to outtotal the Buffaloes’ nine.

Against Air Force, the Buffaloes had no problems in a 93-56 blowout on Saturday. Junior forward Lucas Siewert led the way with 17 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting night while senior Namon Wright added 13 off the bench.

Through four games, the Buffaloes have flashed potential. Sophomore guard McKinley Wright IV consistently fills the stat sheet, and his playmaking ability has helped the team shoot over 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the 3-point line.

There are, however, some question marks. Expected to breakout in his second season, Tyler Bey has underwhelmed, averaging 7.5 rebounds but only 8.5 points. While Colorado has shot well from the floor, they haven’t from the free-throw line, making just 68 percent of their attempts.

With no non-conference games against Power 5 opponents, we might not know until January who the Buffaloes really are. They return for the first of four consecutive home games tonight against Portland University.

– Booth