CU Buffs: The Last Team Standing in Pac
The Pac-12 Conference Tournament has been a wild ride this year, with upsets and Cinderella stories throughout. But through it all, one team has remained a constant: the Colorado Buffaloes.
The Buffs entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed, but they have played like a team possessed. They knocked off No. 3 seed Arizona in the quarterfinals, then stunned No. 2 seed UCLA in the semifinals. Now, they find themselves in the championship game against No. 1 seed Oregon.
How have the Buffs been able to pull off these upsets? There are a few key factors.
Defense
The Buffs have been one of the best defensive teams in the Pac-12 all season long. They rank in the top 10 in the conference in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, and rebounding defense.
In the tournament, the Buffs have continued to play tough defense. They held Arizona to just 39% shooting in the quarterfinals, and they held UCLA to just 33% shooting in the semifinals.
Rebounding
The Buffs have also been a force on the boards this season. They rank in the top five in the Pac-12 in rebounding margin.
In the tournament, the Buffs have continued to crash the boards. They outrebounded Arizona by 11 in the quarterfinals, and they outrebounded UCLA by 10 in the semifinals.
Guard Play
The Buffs have a talented backcourt led by senior guard McKinley Wright IV. Wright is one of the best guards in the Pac-12, and he has been playing at a high level in the tournament.
Wright is averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the tournament. He has also hit some big shots down the stretch in close games.
Leadership
The Buffs have a lot of experienced players on their roster, and that has been a big advantage for them in the tournament. Senior forward Evan Battey is a team captain, and he has been a steady presence for the Buffs all season long.
Battey is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in the tournament. He has also been a key contributor on the defensive end.
Challenges Ahead
The Buffs will face their toughest challenge yet when they take on Oregon in the championship game. The Ducks are the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and they have a lot of talent on their roster.
But the Buffs have proven that they are a team that can beat anyone. They have the defense, the rebounding, the guard play, and the leadership to pull off another upset.
Conclusion
The Buffs have been the last team standing in the Pac-12 Tournament. They have overcome some tough challenges, and they have shown that they are a team that can win it all.
Now, they have one more challenge to overcome. But if they can play like they have in the tournament so far, they have a good chance of winning the Pac-12 Championship.
