Colorado forward Tristan da Silva, 23, plays against Washington forward Moses Wood, 13, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Seattle, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. He then heads to the basket. Colorado won 98-81. (AP Photo/Lindsay Wasson)
It was only a month ago that Colorado and Arizona State collided in Tempe.
In what has become a recurring theme for the CU men's basketball team, the Buffaloes played the game without Cody Williams and Julian Hammond III, while Tristan da Silva made his first appearance after missing three games with injury. fulfilled.
The Buffs were hoping that Da Silva's return would help them bounce back from the injury they suffered in the game against Arizona two days ago, but on the contrary, their defense struggled in the first half, resulting in a 3-point loss to CU. invited.
Since then, CU hasn't exactly struggled, but the Buffs have been treading water rather than taking off, mainly due to continued injury issues. Meanwhile, ASU improved to 4-0 in the Pac-12 with the win over the Buffs, but has struggled since then, losing six of seven games and four straight in Thursday night's rematch in Boulder. suffered.
After Wednesday's practice, head coach Tad Boyle did not specifically comment on the game-day outlook for Williams (facial) and Luke O'Brien (ankle), who missed Saturday's loss to Utah. But he said both players practiced Wednesday, brightening the possibility that the Buffs will add a top-seven rotation player to their lineup for just the 12th time this season.
“They both practiced (Wednesday). It's a step in the right direction,” Boyle said. “Luke's ankle isn't 100 percent. (Tuesday) he was limping. (Wednesday) he wasn't. The fact that they're practicing here is a good sign.”
Fully healthy or not, the Buffs will gain confidence on defense against a Sun Devils team with the lowest overall field goal percentage (.414) and 3-point percentage (.298) in the Pac-12. There's a chance. However, the Sun Devils were hitting .533 in the first half of last month's win over CU, and da Silva has detailed several poor shooting teams in other scouting reports this season. He's become one of those veterans who reminds his teammates that he's just observing those clubs. Get back on track against the Buffs' inconsistent defense.
“I feel like when people are struggling, when we start playing, they tend to get going,” da Silva said. “We can't let that happen. We have to be solid defensively and not let them go. Don't give them easy buckets. There are too many guys in their spots. So we gave up.”
Unless the Buffs are caught looking ahead to Saturday night's showdown with No. 8 Arizona, they have a chance to regain some momentum after back-to-back road losses to Washington State and Utah. Da Silva's return to form will strengthen CU's fortunes throughout the weekend.
After returning from an ankle injury at ASU, Da Silva performed well the following week in the California tournament, hitting a career-high tying four 3-pointers and scoring 20 points in a loss to CU. But in the six games since then, CU's second-leading scorer has shot just .378 from the field and 8-of-26 from 3-point range (.308).
“He's a good shooter and a good player. Even great players go through shooting slumps,” Boyle said. “As long as you're taking good shots, I'm fine. He's fine. I don't think he forced things.”
Arizona State Sun Devils vs. CU Buffs Men's Basketball
TIP: Thursday, 6 p.m., CU Event Center.
TV/Radio: Fox Sports 1/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
Record: Arizona State 11-11, 5-6 Pac-12 Conference. Colorado 15-7, 6-5.
Coach: Arizona State — Bobby Hurley, ninth season (152-124, 194-144 overall). Colorado State — Tad Boyle, 14th season (287-179, 343-245 total).
Key players: Arizona State — G Frankie Collins, 6-1, junior (13.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 rpg). G Jose Perez, 6-5, Gr. (12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .452 3%); G/F Jamiya Neal, 6-6, Jr. (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg); G Adam Miller, 6- 3, R-Jr. (10.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F Alonzo Gaffney, 6-9, Gr. (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Colorado — G KJ Simpson, 6-2, Jr. (19.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, .503 FG%, .460 3%). F Tristan da Silva, 6-9, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, .367 3%); G Cody Williams, 6-8, Fr. (14.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, .579 FG%, .520 3%); F Jevonne Hadley, 6-6, Sr. (11.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .560 FG%). C Eddie Lumpkin Jr., 6-11, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .538 FG%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Jr. (7.6 ppg, .407 3%); G/F Luke O'Brien, 6-8, Sr. (6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
NOTES: CU is 12-0 at home and will likely be the first Buffs team to start 13-0 at home. CU's 1962-63 and 1968-69 teams both finished 12-0 at home. …At home, CU averaged 85.9 points while shooting .526 overall and .433 on 3-pointers. … In Pac-12 play, CU ranks second in rebounding margin with a plus-4.3, while the Sun Devils rank last in rebounding margin with a minus-9.3. …ASU committed 9.4 turnovers per game, the lowest in the Pac-12 in league play. …ASU's Neal (19 points) and Miller (18 points) tied for his second-highest point total of the season (and his highest in Pac-12 play) during ASU's home win over the Buffs last month. Scores) were recorded. …Simpson has made 29 of 30 free throws over the past five games. Simpson also averaged 6.5 rebounds per game in Pac-12 play and averaged 8.0 boards over the past four games. … CU's first home series in three weeks concludes Saturday against No. 8 Arizona (8 p.m., ESPN).
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