Colorado has been simply lights-out at home. After struggling for several seasons, Washington once again has its zone defense operating at a high level.
One of the most important matchups during the opening weekend of league play in the Pac-12 Conference might come down to that strength-against-strength matchup.
With the Los Angeles teams sputtering through nonconference play and the Huskies serving notice they could be a factor with a win against Gonzaga and three narrow, ultra-competitive defeats against top-40 NET teams, Friday’s showdown at the CU Events Center might be one of just 20 Pac-12 games over the next two-plus months, but the result ultimately could prove critical in the conference race.
“Washington is a good team and we have to lock in,” CU forward J’Vonne Hadley said. “It is a big game in the Pac-12 standings, but we have to treat every game like a new one. Everybody is 0-0. We’re all trying to win, especially in the Pac-12.”
A Buffs team that has gone 7-0 at home while putting up torrid shooting numbers will host a UW squad set to play its first game on an opponent’s home floor. Yet the Huskies nonetheless enjoyed an impressive run through nonconference play.
On Dec. 9, UW picked up a huge win at home against then-No. 7 Gonzaga. The Huskies’ three losses were all were narrow decisions against teams in the top 40 of the NET — Nevada, San Diego State (in overtime) and Colorado State, with the latter two games on neutral floors in Las Vegas. However, the Huskies have yet to truly play in enemy territory.
UW didn’t travel far to win its only road game on Dec. 17, prevailing in double overtime against Seattle. But the game was played at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle rather than at the Redhawks’ regular home venue.
“I know we’ve got altitude on our side, but we need the Events Center rockin’ and rolling,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “We’ve got a top 25-caliber team. If our fans can’t come out and show support for this team, I don’t know who they’re going to come support. We’ve got a couple future NBA players on this team. We’ve got a lot of talent. They play hard. They play well together. They’re fun to watch.”
The Buffs finished nonconference play leading all Pac-12 teams in field goal percentage (52.6), 3-point percentage (40.7) and free throw percentage (78.9). At home, CU has shot 55.7% overall and 45.9% from long range while putting up a percentage of at least 52.0% in six of seven games.
UW has held opponents to a 29.2% mark from the arc, which ranks second in the Pac-12. Yet in the Huskies’ four games outside their home arena, teams have shot 36.2% on 3-pointers.
“That (defense) is their main thing,” CU forward Tristan da Silva said. “When you play that every day, every game, with the competition they’ve had, obviously you get to know every play and every action that’s coming at you. But they’ve been switching it up a little bit this year, so I’m excited to see what they’ve got.”
Washington Huskies at CU Buffs men’s basketball
TIPOFF: Friday, 7 p.m., CU Events Center.
TV/RADIO: ESPNU/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
RECORDS: Washington 8-3; Colorado 9-2.
COACHES: Washington — Mike Hopkins, 7th season (109-94; 113-99 overall). Colorado — Tad Boyle, 14th season (281-174, 337-240 overall).
KEY PLAYERS: Washington — F Keion Brooks Jr., 6-7, Gr. (20.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, .494 FG%); G Sahvir Wheeler, 5-9, Gr. (15.6 ppg, 7.1 apg); F Moses Wood, 6-8, Gr. (11.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg); G Koren Johnson, 6-2, So. (10.4 ppg); C Franck Kepnang, 6-11, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .590 FG%). Colorado — G KJ Simpson, 6-2, Jr. (19.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, .577 FG%, .489 3%); F Tristan da Silva, 6-9, Sr. (15.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .536 FG%, .388 3%); F J’Vonne Hadley, 6-6, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .569 FG%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Jr. (9.7 ppg, .542 FG%, .459 3%); C Eddie Lampkin Jr., 6-11, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg); G/F Luke O’Brien, 6-8, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg).
NOTES: The Buffs are 6-7 in conference openers under Boyle. … UW has won four of the past five regular season matches against CU, including the past three in a row, but the Buffs eliminated the Huskies from the Pac-12 tournament in the teams’ last meeting in March. … The Buffs are averaging a Pac-12-most 14.0 turnovers per game. UW is averaging the fifth-most at 13.2 per game. … CU bench guard Julian Hammond III went 12-for-23 overall, 4-for-8 on 3-pointers and 13-for-13 on free throws in three games against UW last year. That run included a career-best 21 points against the Huskies in the Pac-12 tournament. … The Buffs’ average rebound margin of plus-11.5 ranks second in the Pac-12. UW is seventh at plus-3.3. … CU’s Luke O’Brien has gone 9-for-15 on 3-pointers in the past three games. … CU’s first Pac-12 homestand of the season concludes on Sunday against Washington State (noon, Pac-12 Network). Following Sunday’s game, the Buffs play their next three on the road.
