Quick break
Why the Buffs gained: CU shot .542, held Utah to a 4-for-23 mark on 3-pointers, and dedicated solely 4 turnovers — this system’s lowest whole in additional than 14 years.
Three stars:
1. KJ Simpson: CU’s level guard went 10-for-15 with 5 3-pointers, ending with 28 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists.
2. J’Vonne Hadley: The jack-of-all-trades did just a little little bit of every thing, going 7-for-10 with 20 factors, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists with out a turnover.
3. Eddie Lampkin Jr.: CU’s huge man went 4-for-5 from the ground and 5-for-6 on the free throw line, recording 13 factors and 7 rebounds.
Up subsequent: CU continues the ultimate homestand of the common season on Wednesday in opposition to California (6 p.m., Pac-12 Community).
The Colorado males’s basketball group nonetheless can’t appear to shake the harm bug that has prompted constant roadblocks throughout the 2023-24 season.
It didn’t cease the Buffaloes from selecting up a much-needed victory, nevertheless.
CU put collectively a sizzling begin and by no means actually let Utah again within the recreation, because the Buffs steadily pulled away for an 89-65 victory on Saturday night time on the CU Occasions Middle. Mixed with UCLA’s dwelling loss in opposition to USC on Saturday, the Buffs moved right into a fourth-place tie with the Bruins within the Pac-12 standings.
It was CU’s sixth win of their previous seven dwelling video games in opposition to the Utes. And it was one of many Buffs’ high all-around performances of the season, as CU shot .542, held Utah to a 4-for-23 mark on 3-pointers, and dedicated a season-low 4 turnovers.
The Buffs performed with out backup guard Julian Hammond III, who suffered a knee harm at observe on Friday. CU additionally watched standout freshman Cody Williams exit the sport with 7 minutes, 52 seconds left within the first half as a result of a proper ankle harm. Williams remained within the locker room for the remainder of the primary half however returned to the lineup after halftime.
“It was only a nice efficiency by our guys,” CU head coach Tad Boyle stated. “KJ (Simpson) was KJ tonight. He was doing what he’s been doing all 12 months for us. J’Vonne Hadley was phenomenal, each offensively and defensively.”
CU constructed a 17-point lead throughout the first half, however Utah used a 9-2 run earlier than the break to chop the Buffs result in 43-34 going into the second half. At that time, Utah guard Gabe Madsen, working predominantly in opposition to Williams, was 6-for-10 with three 3-pointers and 16 factors. After halftime, Hadley drew the defensive project on Madsen and held the Utes guard to a 1-for-4 mark with simply two factors in ultimate 20 minutes.
Hadley additionally practically posted his second consecutive double-double, going 7-for-10 from the ground and 5-for-6 on free throws earlier than ending with 20 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists with out a turnover.
“We made the swap to place (Hadley) on Madsen within the second half,” Boyle stated. “Cody rolled his ankle, so he was not at 100%. We began the sport with him on Madsen and he had 16 within the first half. Then he ended up with 18. Credit score goes to J’Vonne along with his defensive effort.”
Utah remained inside 10 factors with slightly below 14 minutes remaining, however CU scored the subsequent 9 factors and by no means seemed again, finally extending the result in 31 factors.
Simpson put collectively one other spectacular efficiency, going 10-for-15 general with 5 3-pointers whereas ending with 28 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists. CU hit 10 3-pointers for the primary time this season in Pac-12 play, ending 10-for-21. Utah’s 4 3-pointers tied its lowest whole of the season.
“Credit score to the group. We moved the ball side-to-side and we obtained nice appears to be like,” Simpson stated. “That’s what you get reps up for. That’s what you watch movie for. We have been simply able to knock them down, and it simply occurred to come back our manner. Credit score to the remainder of the group for locating us, and credit score to me and (Hadley) for being able to knock them down. It’s simply studying the protection.”
UTAH (16-11, 7-9 Pac-12)
Br.Carlson 3-8 0-0 6, Keita 2-6 4-6 8, Bajema 2-6 0-0 4, Madsen 7-14 1-1 18, D.Smith 6-11 2-5 15, Erickson 2-5 0-0 4, Be.Carlson 2-6 0-0 4, Lovering 3-4 0-1 6, Wahlin 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-61 7-13 65.
COLORADO (18-9, 9-7)
Williams 2-4 0-0 4, da Silva 4-14 2-2 12, Lampkin 4-5 5-6 13, Hadley 7-10 5-6 20, Simpson 10-15 3-3 28, O’Brien 3-4 0-0 8, Ruffin 0-2 0-0 0, Diop 2-4 0-0 4, Dak 0-0 0-0 0, Carrington 0-0 0-0 0, Hurlburt 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-59 15-17 89.
Halftime — Colorado 43-34. 3-point discipline targets — Utah 4-23 (Madsen 3-9, D.Smith 1-2, Erickson 0-2, Bajema 0-3, Br.Carlson 0-3, Be.Carlson 0-4), Colorado 10-21 (Simpson 5-8, O’Brien 2-3, da Silva 2-4, Hadley 1-2, Diop 0-1, Hurlburt 0-1, Ruffin 0-1, Williams 0-1). Rebounds — Utah 33 (Br.Carlson, D.Smith 6), Colorado 32 (Hadley 9). Assists — Utah 12 (D.Smith 5), Colorado 19 (da Silva, Hadley 4). Complete fouls — Utah 15, Colorado 15. Attendance — 9,075.