Nobody expected Kansas to win...

[YCN]

But Colorado just destroyed Kansas tonight 80-41. Their starters got lots of rest.

After 3 losses to start the conference season, the surging - and veteran - Colorado team has won six straight games.

Isn't that the longest winning streak in the conference?

[schooner2]

But is Colorado really surging? I don't think Colorado ever played below their potential to begin with. They didn't start bad. They just had to play three very tough games to start the season. They lose to Oklahoma by 11 in Norman, to Texas by 2 at home, and to Kansas State in Manhattan by 3. So what. If they just continue to play well, their record will eventually show it. And sure enough, it is now. So now they are 6-3.

Their final 7 games contain a good mix of the very tough (@TTU, @BU, KSU, @ISU) and the good matchups that they need to win (NU, @NU, MU). Finish 4-3 would be good for Colorado giving them a 10-6 conference, which is outstanding, and probably good enough for them to host.

Same thing for Tech. They get off to the 1-3 start. But again so what. Sure that was a bad loss at Missouri, but since then, they've been able to get back to 4-4 and in all likelihood will be 5-4 after beating A&M tomorrow.

That leaves them also with a mix of the very tough (UT, @OU, @BU), the tough (CU), and the definitely need to win (@OSU, A&M, NU). I think Tech goes 5-2 to close out the season and they also end up 10-6, which is quite good in this conference and also likely good enough to host.

Then look at Iowa State. (sorry, the post is getting long). I also, believe it or not, feel ISU can end up 10-6. They are currently 3-5. I think they could legitimately finish the season 7-1 by beating (MU, @MU, @KU, CU, @OSU, KU, and BU) and maybe dropping the game at KSU.

I feel KSU and OU will likely finish better than 10-6. I think Baylor has a good shot at 11-5. I think UT has a shot at 12-4. So that 7 teams at 10-6 or better. All 7 should go dancing. And unbelievably, none of the 10-6 get a first round bye at the Big 12 Tournament. Ouch. Now, that's tough.

[Texan]

Don't mind the long ones when they are well thought out and educational. Thanks.

[kate dawg]

I would count CU among the very tough. As a spectator at the Texas game, I can tell you that despite the seemingly "lesser" opponents since then although I'm not sure that's true, the Buffaloes are a changed team. You can see it. Radio announcer Carol Callan said the same thing during the Iowa State game...

I think Sunday will be a great game. I'm glad it's on TV.

[YCN]

Schooner, please put my post in perspective.

Very early in the season the hopes were very high in Boulder. No one was particularly upset when they lost in Norman - that was one tough game. But losing their next game to a very young Texas team in Boulder was a bit of a shocker, and the loss to KSU - remember, this is early - was considered a tailspin.

It was obvious at that time that CU wasn't playing the kind of ball that they are capable of playing. This is a team that made huge strides from a losing season last year. And also a team that is unaccustomed to losing seasons in basketball.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that CU was reeling after starting 0-3. It took a couple of fairly close wins before the team started to get a rhythm and get their focus back.

And now they have won 6 in a row. And their confidence is much better than it was just 3 weeks ago.

While I don't think that they are the team to beat in the Big 12, they are veteran, they are focused, and they are on a roll.

Worse things could happen. We'll see if they can carry it in the long haul, but this is the time of year when seniors start to think about how they want to go out, how people will remember their careers. There is a lot of untapped potential still remaining on their team, and if their roll continued...

It wouldn't surprise me one bit.

YCN, out

[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 01-29-2002).]

[This message has been edited by YCN (edited 01-29-2002).]

[schooner2]

Originally posted by YCN:
Schooner, please put my post in perspective.

Very early in the season the hopes were very high in Boulder. No one was particularly upset when they lost in Norman - that was one tough game. But losing their next game to a very young Texas team in Boulder was a bit of a shocker, and the loss to KSU - remember, this is early - was considered a tailspin.

Good point. We still weren't quite sure of Texas and KSU yet. Both of those teams are the pleasant surprises of the Big 12 this season.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that CU was reeling after starting 0-3. It took a couple of fairly close wins before the team started to get a rhythm and get their focus back.

And now they have won 6 in a row. And their confidence is much better than it was just 3 weeks ago.

Maybe so. But hopefully Ceal was just telling them to stick with it. Don't let 3 tough games ruin the rest of the Big 12 slate.

[two cents]

Originally posted by kate dawg:
I would count CU among the very tough.

I'm afraid I have to agree. After a rough conference start (like Tech & ISU), Colorado seems to have really put it all together. During the non-conference season, they played well but did not meet pre-season expectations on the road. Now CU seems to be playing very efficient offense: good shooting percentages and high assist totals. Plus rebounding is improved. As a Tech fan, I am extremely worried about this game, even on our home court. Our defense has not developed its usual steadiness this year. Disciplined teams have been able to break it down. I am afraid Tech fans, in general, will not realize how tough this game can be. We need a large, boisterous crowd.

[grojc]

I think what Ceal Berry has done is outstanding. Losing three tough games but getting her team to keep its focus is very impressive. Look at Iowa State. The two losses to KSU and UT just seem to knock the wind out the team, hence the TAMU disaster (taking nother from TAMU). You know, Colorado kind of quitely snuck in and won the first Big 12 tournament, finishing second in the regular season, and got an NCAA #2 seed that year, and all without being ranked in the polls most of the year. I'm a UT Fan and I'm thrilled we have that game out of the way. I think Colorado is going to do some damage this second half of the season.

[swok34]

Last year, Oklahoma opened their season at Colorado and clobbered them.....though CU went on to win their next 5; you could call the majority of them fluffballs of last year...esp in the beginning....beating KSU, OSU, Kansas, Nebraska..and Missouri......

Colorado's game at Texas Tech and at Iowa State will probably tell us their road worthiness this year. Most teams have played 4 on the road and 4 at home at this point. The exception is OU who has travelled 5 times and home 3.....Kansas State has travelled 3 times and home 5 times. Kansas has travelled 5 times, but who's counting on them go anywhere this season.

I think the true test of Kansas State comes tonite when they plays Texas.......Kansas State played close @ Texas A & M and lost @ Oklahoma State.....not sure at this point that I call the game @ Iowa State a "tough one", with the way ISU is doing.
The game tonite, IMO, is their 1st true road game against a team who measures up with them.

[kate dawg]

Originally posted by swok34:
Last year, Oklahoma opened their season at Colorado and clobbered them.....though CU went on to win their next 5; you could call the majority of them fluffballs of last year...esp in the beginning....beating KSU, OSU, Kansas, Nebraska..and Missouri......

Correct. However CU went on to finish 11-5, including wins over Iowa State and Baylor. PS: Missouri was not a fluffball last year. Pretty sure they were a Sweet 16 team, correct? http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif CU swept Kansas, Kansas State and Nebraska. PPS: Missouri is not a fluffball this year. Just ask No. 13 Texas Tech.

<quote>Colorado's game at Texas Tech and at Iowa State will probably tell us their road worthiness this year. </quote>

Right again. You are correct. CU has not proven themselves on the road. Should they pull it off on Sunday, I wonder if they go from pretender to contender in the eyes of the wise on this board.

[This message has been edited by kate dawg (edited 01-30-2002).]

[carolann]

Contenders? I don't count myself among the wise but I consider Colorado as much a contender as Baylor, ISU, Texas, or Texas Tech. I still think OU will probably win the championship outright. KSU also has yet to prove itself on the road. If KSU wins at Texas tonight, I have to think the wildcats are likely to finish first or second.

[mred]

Originally posted by carolann:
KSU also has yet to prove itself on the road.

Hey, I know ISU is a little down this year, but it's still no easy feat to win at Hilton. I also expect OU to be #1, but I'm not going out on a limb by saying KSU won't be playing on March 5 (the first round of the Big XII tournament, for those who don't want to look it up. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif )


[This message has been edited by mred (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Big12Bear]

Colorado also has a little road game at the Ferrell Center I'm looking forward to later in the year. Payback time. Colorado has a formidable team, and it won't be easy for us.

[kate dawg]

Yeah that Baylor game is scary.

[swok34]

I didn't intend by my post to mean that I believe the Colorado is "down".........just comparing years. I think Colorado is fine and yes you are right....Missouri was very good last year and they did beat Georgia on their home court. It's hard to determine what kind of team Missouri has this year given that they got Texas Tech in the middle of their "team-bonding" and I don't think Texas Tech was quite there when the Big 12 opened. I do believe they are a far better team today than they were on Jan 5.

I think Colorado is in great position to repeat their performance last year, though as I said the "true test" will come over the next couple of weeks at Texas Tech and at Iowa State. Ceal Barry made a comment during the Big 12 tourney last year when asked about rebounding that she couldn't do anything about it until she hit the recruiting trail......did she ever get a rebounder?.....the team I saw in Norman didn't have one.

and, given Iowa State's performance and being 3-5 in the conference..........?????? I'm not sure I still believe this is possible....I agree Hilton is a tough place to play, though both Kansas State and Texas Tech have come in there and "stole one" this year...

[kate dawg]

Swok I know you didn't mean that! it's all good! I agree that CU has much to prove yet...all six of their wins have come against the bottom half of the conference (entering tonight places 7-12). I wish I could say they have made 100% believers out of me, but they have not. A win Sunday, however unlikely it might be, would make me a believer.

I remember Ceal's comment as well from the Big 12 telecast. She has managed to get them to improve on rebounding of late without the new kids contributing (the recruiting comment). I think a lot to do with that is the re-emergence of Sabrina Scott. Last season she was plagued by back problems and now she is healthy (aside from finger issues) and is now leading CU on the boards at 5.2 per game (6.3 in conference games). Bjorklund is averaging almost 5 a game (I don't think she five total last season) and Hartshorn is at 5.0 per game...all better than last season. Not to mention Nightingale is among the conference leaders (yes, 5-6 Mandy Nightingale) in defensive rebounding, and the comeback kid Lappe is among the leaders in offensive boards. So I think they have improved...finally. Now what remains to be seen is whether or not they can maintain the effort on the boards. Let's face it, rebounding is all ALL effort.

Sorry to drone on and on....but trust me Swok, I am with you. The jury is still out.

[swok34]

kate, my point is this conversation, is this:

I think Colorado is in fine shape....they are about in the same position as they were last year about this time....and if memory serves me correctly, they play a lot better later in the conference than they do in the beginning..... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

What seed did Colorado draw last year in the NCAA's? I'm thinking they hosted, is that right?

[kate dawg]

no actually, a six seed...played Siena at Vanderbilt then lost to vandy. i think they blew their home seed shot with losses to tech (home) and mizzou (road).

[unkiemark]

Place my opinion in the "jury is still out" category. The Buffs have imporved since their three loses to begin conference play - BUT - the haven't won a "big game" on the road. I know they made a comeback at KSU, but they didn't win the game.

So for CU to really have made the step to being a legit Big 12 top four finisher they have to win games like the one Sunday in Lubbock. And that is one location they haven't had much success. T Tech's style and athleticism has really bedeviled the Buffs since the early years of the Big 12. So a win Sunday woud be a huge breakthrough and perhaps give them the confidence to take on ISU and Baylor on the road as well.

Sabrina Scott and Linda Lappe - they are two players who have made a difference as of late. It appears that both are finally becoming healthy and they are also getting their confidence back. This bodes well for the Buffs.

Kate Fagan is helping as well. She has stepped in and scored when the team has needed it and Roulier isn't producing.

The Buffs have more depth now than they did when they lost to Texas and KSU. They are playing with focus for the entire game. But can they win the "big one" on the road? Who knows?

[two cents]

I agree that the jury is out on CU, but I have been impressed with their play of late. I wish Tech could have gotten a 22 point win in Columbia....heck, I would have taken a 2 point win. The Buffs kept Missouri off the offensive boards---something the Raiders could not do. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/frown.gif