PAC-12 Preview: Colorado Buffaloes (18-6, 7-4) vs. UCLA Bruins (18-5, 7-3)
By Andrew Dill
Jan 16, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Members of the Colorado Buffaloes react on the bench near the end of the second half against the UCLA Bruins at the Coors Events Center. The Bruins defeated the Buffaloes 69-56. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Buffaloes-Bruins Preview
The Colorado Buffaloes (18-6, 7-4 in Pac-12 play) look to get some revenge on the UCLA Bruins Thursday night at the Pauley Pavilion. Colorado just came off of an impressive performance against the Washington Huskies, defeating them by the final of 91-65. Xavier Johnson led the way scoring a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point land.
What: Pac-12 Play: Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCLA Bruins
When: Thursday, February 13th
Where: Pauley Pavilion
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: ESPN2
In the two teams last meeting back on Jan. 16th, UCLA surpassed the Buffs by the final of 69-56 in Colorado’s first full-game without star point guard Spencer Dinwiddie. UCLA’s guard Norman Powell would tie a team-high in points as he dropped 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, collecting 3 rebounds and 4 steals. Teammate Jordan Adams would chip-in 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, 6 of which were offensive.
Josh Scott would lead the way for Colorado as the center scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, collecting 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Guard Askia Booker scored a game-high 21 points in the loss, shooting 7-of-11 from the field, 5-of-7 from deep.
Players to Watch:
Colorado Buffaloes:
Josh Scott – Scott has been the rock in this Buffaloes offensive along with Askia Booker since the injury to Spencer Dinwiddie. In the last five-games, Scott has averaged 13.6 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
UCLA Bruins:
Kyle Anderson – Anderson has been a key part of UCLA’s success this season, as the guard is averaging 13.8 points per game, 7.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in the last five contests.
Injury Update:
Colorado Buffaloes forward Wesley Gordon (ankle) is questionable for tonight’s game.
Pac-12 Standings:
1 – Arizona Wildcats (23-1, 10-1 in Pac-12)
2 – UCLA Bruins (18-5, 7-3 in Pac-12)
3 – Arizona State Sun Devils (18-6, 7-4 in Pac-12)
4 – Colorado Buffaloes (18-6, 7-4 in Pac-12)
5 – Califorina Golden Bears (16-8, 7-4 in Pac-12)
6 – Stanford Cardinal (15-8, 6-5 in Pac-12)
7 – Washington Huskies (14-11, 6-6 in Pac-12)
8 – Utah Utes (16-7, 5-6 in Pac-12)
9 – Oregon State Beavers (13-10, 5-6 in Pac-12)
10 – Oregon Ducks (15-8, 3-8 in Pac-12)
11 – USC Trojans (10-13, 1-9 in Pac-12)