Pac-12 Tournament Preview: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Arizona Wildcats
By Andrew Dill
Jan 23, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Nick Johnson (13) and Colorado Buffaloes forward Josh Scott (40) battle for positioning during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-57. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Buffaloes have edged their way through the Pac-12 tournament so far, defeating the USC Trojans in the first-round 59-56 while defeating the California Golden Bears by the same score in the second-round yesterday. Now they will take on one of the best teams in the country and record wise the best team in the Pac-12, the Arizona Wildcats.
What: Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals: vs.
When: Friday, March 14th
Where: MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Time: 9;00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: PAC-12 Network
The Buffaloes haven’t had much success against the Wildcats this season. They are currently 0-2 against the number four team in the nation and the scores haven’t been really close. In their most recent meeting which was in Boulder, Arizona would trample the Buffs in the second half, outscoring them 57-to-36. The Wildcats would end up winning the game by the final of 88-61.
Tad Boyle knows this is going to be a challenge and the Buffaloes will have to be solid on the defense end. Arizona is going to be physical in post and have the length to interrupt the passing lane. Last night after the win over California, Tad Boyle said they were the best defensive team he has seen in a long time and he wasn’t kidding. The Wildcats finished the regular season ranked fourth in the nation in points allowed per game, allowing just 58.1 per contest.
Players To Watch For:
Colorado Buffaloes: Josh Scott, C: Scott has been doubled a lot since Spencer Dinwiddie, causing other players to step-up. Scott scored just 11 points in yesterday’s game against Cal but will face a tall, stout front-court from Arizona.
Arizona Wildcats: Nick Johnson, SG: Johnson can do it all for Arizona. He didn’t really have to do much in Thursday’s contest with the Utah Utes as they would eventually blow them out. He scored 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while knocking down two three-pointers.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Colorado Buffaloes:
PG: Xavier Talton
SG: Askia Booker
SF: Xavier Johnson
PF: Wesley Gordon
C: Josh Scott
Arizona Wildcats:
PG: T.J. McConnell
SG: Nick Johnson
SF: Gabe York
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Kaleb Tarczewski