Colorado Basketball: San Diego Preview and Prediction
The Colorado basketball Buffaloes men’s team heads on the road for the first time this season as they take on the 3-1 San Diego Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
It came down to the wire, but the Buffs were able to prevail against a pesky Omaha team 79-75 on Friday night in Boulder.
Lucas Siewart and Tyler Bey scored 16 points each and Namon Wright was brilliant off the bench with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Wright has been the senior presence CU has needed–he scored 25 points and grabbed 8 rebounds off the bench in the season opener and continues to be clutch exactly when the Buffs are looking for someone to step up.
This Colorado team is young with sophomores littered throughout the starting lineup, and even freshman receiving regular minutes. That’s why Wright is crucial for CU’s success this season.
San Diego comes into this contest with a 3-1 record and is not afraid of any Pac-12 or Power Five school. They took a ranked Washington team down to the wire, losing 66-63 on Nov. 12th.
The Toreros also beat this Colorado team in Boulder last season 69-59. It was a dominant victory as four players hit double figures: Isaiah Wright (20 pts), Tyler Williams (13 pts), Isaiah Pineiro (10 pts), Olin Carter III (10 pts).
That was last year, but the bad news for the Buffs? All four of those players returned for San Diego and are ready to make an impact this season.
Pineiro is the one to watch for USD–the 6’7 senior averages 19.8 points, 9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He is one of the better passing forwards in the West Coast Conference and was name to the Preseason All-WCC team.
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Prediction
LINE: -5 USD
San Diego comes into this game favored at home, and it comes as no surprise. The Toreros returned the majority of their squad that won 20-games last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIT.
I expect the Buffs to come out aggressive in the first half, but the real test will come in the second half.
That is when USD makes their move–the team has outscored opponents 168-117 during the second half this season.
You better believe Tad Boyle knows that and he will be sure to coach up his team after halftime.
This is the first true test for CU–the game against Omaha wasn’t supposed to be.
Will Namon Wright continue his solid play off the bench?
Can Evan Battey start to make an impact?
These questions will need to be answered tonight for a Buffs victory. I don’t see it happening.
San Diego 82 Colorado 75