CU and Tech

[Bball Girl]

Those of us in Lubbock were luckly enough to see Colorado play LSU earlier in the year. Since then, CU's defensive intensity has improved and Nightingale and Roulier and friends have been impressive in Big 12 play. It's always fun to have Coach Barry on the sidelines...she's one of the most intensive, animated and focused coaches around. I always look to see when the jacket comes off...that's when you know whether the pace of game pleases her or not.

CU is one of my favorite teams...and I'm glad we get to play them here this year. Tech pulled out the win at Boulder last year by the skin of our teeth.

CU rotates about 9 players and Tech does the same.

Tech had too many TOs in the TAMU game, but the motion in their offense and the # of assists has really been a key factor.

What do the rest of you think are the keys to the game?

[Press]

I consider CU to be a lot like Vandy and we best be having a good shooting day from our guards and the post defense really needs to step up and stay out of foul trouble. We need a big rebounding day from Greenwalt, Ayers and Ellison. I think the mismatch is Jia and she needs to push the ball on the break and have lots of pull up jumpers. It will be a good game, glad it's at the USA and on TV.

GO TECH!

[unkiemark]

First off - Colorado has never won in Lubbock and as far as I can remember has never been in the game in recent seasons. I believe that four seasons ago Tech won 80-40 and two seasons ago they won easily as well, just not by as much. So obviously the Buffs have no history of success in Lubbock.

What to expect from Colorado? Last week when Tech was playting at KSU I believe you got a sense of the way Coloraod will attack. Like KSU, CU runs a version of the triangle. So they will have a sold inside-outside game -- at least that will be their strategy, The Buffs must have either Hartshorn or Bjorklund scoring to open things up for the guards. Like KSU the Buffs need to force Tech to make a decsion about how to handle the post.

Of course what CU also needs is for the guards (Nightingale, Roulier and Fagan) to make any open looks they get. Roulier has been hot and cold in the conference season. Although she has had some great offensive games recently she has also struggled. It's tough to figure.

But there is another player that is coming on - Sabrina Scott - and I believe she could be the x-factor in this game. Two years ago she was the best player on the team. Last season she was hampered by a bad back. She started off this season a bit slowly, but has come on the last month or so to earn a starting role and the bulk of the minutes at the big forward spot over Randie Wirt. Scott is really a throwback type. She can shoot, handle the ball, sees the floor like a point guard and rebound.

The other Buff that may make a difference tomorrow is Linda Lappe. She may not score a ton of points, but she will get offensive rebounds and loose balls like crazy. It's not that she can't score, but with all her injuries scoring is last part of her game to come back.

Defensively the Buffs will struggle with Jia Perkins. Obviously they have no one in the backcourt that can gaurd her one on one. What the Buffs need to do is not allow her to dictate the pace and then in the half court make sure that the weekside players help stop her dribble penitration.

CU has been playing better since their loss to KSU, but they haven't played a game like they will tomorrow. It's against a quility opponent, on the road and both teams will really need.

Since the early days of the Big 12 Colorado has really struggles with Tech's athleticism. This season I am not sure that overall - outside of Perkins - it will be as bit of an issue as in the past. That's one reason I believe the Buffs have shot.