Table of Contents
Colorado Basketball: What A Concept!
We’re well into the college basketball season, and the powerhouses have started to climb to the top of the rankings, while the bottom feeders are sinking with each game. And then, there’s the Colorado Buffaloes. I wouldn’t categorize this program as a powerhouse or a bottom feeder, as they’re always frisky in PAC-12 play and have shown they can make some noise in the NCAA tournament. But this year they’re putting on an absolute show. They’re not good, but they’ve beaten some really good teams. They’re not bad either, but boy, do those losses look awful. Let’s go over their schedule:
UC Riverside – W 82-66
Grambling – L 83-74
11 Tennessee – W 78-66 (!)
UMass – L 66-63 (Go U)
24 Texas A&M – W 103-75 (!!)
Boise State – L 68-55
Now, I won’t fault them for losing to my Minutemen. They’re one of the most underrated teams in the nation. But a 9-point loss to Grambling? Followed by beating the 11th-ranked team in the country by double-digits? The Colorado Buffaloes have immediately become must-watch television. Strap in folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride this season.
The Contenders
It’s time to play everyone’s favorite game – is this year’s Gonzaga team legit? To their credit, the Zags always play a tough non-conference schedule, as they’ve already squared off against Michigan State, Texas, and Kentucky. I won’t fault them for the close game against MSU on the aircraft carrier, can’t trust those outdoor rims. But, they’ve shown us a little Jekyll and Hyde routine against Texas and Kentucky. Texas is no walk in the park, especially in Austin, but Gonzaga got absolutely blown out by the Longhorns. It’s early, but that’s the kind of game that makes you wonder if this team is set up for another disappointment in March. But, in true Gonzaga fashion, they showed the nation that they’re able to beat the best with a convincing win against Kentucky. I don’t know if I’ll ever bring myself to pick them to win the NCAA Tournament, but those kinds of wins definitely help.
My favorite dark horse of the past few years is turning into a legit powerhouse – the Houston Cougars. Granted the toughest team they’ve played this year is Oregon, but they’re 5-0 with 5 double-digit wins. They have a bit of a scheduling problem, as right now they’re only scheduled to play 2 ranked teams. That could change, but it’s a valid knock on them at the moment. Either way, they’re playing good basketball, and they have the firepower and the defensive prowess to compete throughout the season. With the usual suspects like Kentucky, North Carolina, Baylor, and Duke all playing well early in the season, we’re set up for another competitive year on the hardwood.
