Oregon St. Looks To Bounce Back At Buffs' Expense

Colorado (12-13, 5-8) at Oregon St. (16-10, 7-7) / Gill Coliseum / 8 PM PST / Pac-12 Channel / KEJO 1240 AM / KEX 1190 AM

Game Notes / Colorado Game Notes / Rosters

After 9th ranked Utah finally became the first team to beat either Oregon St. basketball team in a counting game in Gill this season Thursday night, the Beavers will look to their "Fort Wayne" mentality back tonight against Colorado.

After the lowest scoring first half of any Pac-12 game this season, which ended with the Utes up only 16-14, Utah was able to pull away late for the 47-37 win. Holding Gary Payton II to only 6 points in a full 40 minutes of play was as big a factor in that as anything.

The Buffs are looking to get back on the winning track as well, after falling 73-60 at Oregon Wednesday evening. Down 20 a minute and a half after the break, Colorado got back within 5 on Xavier Johnson's 3 pointer with still over 4 minutes to go, but the Ducks would regroup and pull away, handing the Buffs their 4th loss in their last 5 games.

Originally picked to finish 3rd in the Pac-12, Colorado has struggled through several injuries to arguably the most disappointing season in the conference. But with Askia Booker, who leads the Buffs in both scoring and assists, Josh Scott, and Johnson, Colorado remains capable of upsetting anyone, certainly offensively struggling Oregon St., which has lost 3 in a row by double digit margins, not because of inadequate defense, but because of offensive doldrums that has seen scoring slip from the previous game in all 3 of those recent losses.

The Beavers are 3 1/2 point favorites at home despite their recent losses, and the fact that the Buffs are healthier than they were for much of the season.

Expect another low-scoring contest though; in addition to Oregon St.'s always score and pace lowering best in conference defense, the Beavers and Buffs are the two teams with the lowest shooting percentages in the Pac-12.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com