ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 10 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
10. Colorado Buffaloes (9-5, 0-2) LW: 5
An 8-1 start seems like a distant memory to the Colorado Buffaloes after losing for the fourth time in five games.
Falling to mid-major opponents Indiana State and Hawaii soured the end of what was a positive start to the season. But the biggest takeaway on CU from the opening weekend of Pac-12 play is that it is a one-man army in sophomore guard McKinley Wright IV.
And an army of one is no match for what lies ahead, as proven by the Buffaloes first two conference games, double-digit losses to Arizona and Arizona State.
The Wildcats built a 15-point halftime lead before Colorado marginally chipped away, eventually losing by eight despite holding an edge in rebounds (36-30), though CU committed 17 turnovers.
Wright (17 points) and junior forward Lucas Siewert were the only players to break double digits for the Buffaloes.
But the more concerning loss came at the hands of the Sun Devils. ASU altered its starting lineup to feature more height and length, opening the game in a 2-3 zone. Colorado failed to adjust, turning the ball over 10 times and losing by 22.
Wright, along with guards D’Shawn Schwartz and Daylen Kountz finished in double figures but Wright’s 12 points were a team-high.
If CU hopes to remain competitive over the second half of the season, coach Tad Boyle needs Wright to become a distributor as well as a scorer.
The Buffaloes return to action on Thursday against Washington State and wrap up their brief homestand with Washington on Saturday.