Pac-12 Preview: Colorado Buffaloes (20-9, 9-7) vs. Stanford Cardinal (18-10, 9-7)
By Andrew Dill
February 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Jaron Hopkins (23) dunks to score a basket against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Buffaloes (20-9, 9-7 in Pac-12 play) look to bounce back after a tough loss on the road last Saturday to the Utah Utes. Colorado would go into the half all tied up with Utah at 3o-30 but Utah outscored them in the second-half, 45-34. Josh Scott led the way for the Buffaloes scoring 17 points on 4-of-7 shooting, knocking down all nine free-throw attempts.
What: Pac-12 Preview: vs.
When: Wednesday, March 5th
Where: Maples Pavilion
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: ESPN2
This will be the first meeting between the two schools this year. Last meeting was back on Feb. 27th, 2013 where the Buffaloes would sneak away with a 65-63 win at the Maples Pavilion. Andre Roberson (who is now playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder) would lead the way for the Buffaloes with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. Point guard Spencer Dinwiddie who won’t play as he is nursing an ACL injury, would add 19 points of his own on 6-of-17 shooting.
Stanford on the other hand is coming off of a road loss to the Arizona Wildcats who continue to show why they are a top team in the nation. Stanford’s forward Josh Huestis would score a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, collecting 12 rebounds and 1 block in the losing effort.
Players To Watch For:
Colorado Buffaloes: Askia Booker, G: Booker is coming off of a miserable game but looks to bounce back at Maple Pavilion. Booker is averaging 14.0 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Stanford Cardinal: Dwight Powell, F: Powell has been a key part to Stanford’s success this season at the power forward is averaging 14.6 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 blocks.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Colorado Buffaloes:
PG: Xavier Talton
SG: Askia Booker
SF: Xavier Johnson
PF: Dustin Thomas
C: Josh Scott
Stanford Cardinal:
PG: Chasson Randle
SG: Anthony Brown
SF: Josh Huestis
PF: Dwight Powell
C: Stefan Nastic