Woelk: Still Chance For Buffs Seniors To Write Positive Ending
February 27, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It has been, without a doubt, one of the more frustrating seasons for Tad Boyle in his six years as the Colorado basketball coach.
A team tabbed by many as having NCAA Tournament talent has, in his words, underachieved — albeit by the smallest of margins.
With a 16-13 overall record and a 6-10 conference mark, the Buffs are literally four possessions away from being 20-9 and 10-6 — literally a team playing to improve its NCAA Tournament seed down the home stretch of the season.
But in a sport where every possession counts, where the slimmest margin for error creates a gulf between the haves and have-nots, the Buffs find themselves on the wrong side of that chasm. Those four possessions in games the Buffs led in the final minute have now left Colorado in the unenviable position of needing four straight wins in the Pac-12 tournament to simply earn an NCAA berth.
It's not an impossible task — the Buffs actually accomplished the feat five seasons ago in Boyle's second year in Boulder — but given that three of the nation's top 10 teams currently reside in the Pac-12, it's highly unlikely.
"It doesn't mean it can't be done," Boyle said after Monday's practice. "On any given night we can beat anybody, we know that. But we've got to do it."
But before the Buffs head to Las Vegas for next week's conference tourney — they will open play Wednesday — they have two home games remaining to close out the regular season. Stanford pays a visit Thursday for an 8 p.m. game at the Coors Events Center, followed by a noon visit Saturday from Cal.
If you are looking for an indication of how these Buffs will play in Las Vegas, the answer will likely be provided this week in Boulder.
It was just last week, after a disappointing home loss to Utah, that Boyle said this team — in particular the four seniors — needed to perform some "soul searching."
"What do they want the rest of the season?" Boyle asked, while directing a question at his seniors through the media. "Do some soul searching. Figure out, how do you want your senior year to finish? How do you want to be remembered? That's what this team needs."
One of the more frustrating aspects of this season has been that these Buffs don't practice like they play. They have, by all accounts, been a good practice team — high energy, good work ethic and plenty of enthusiasm.
But for whatever reason, that hasn't always translated to game night — thus, a season of "what ifs." It's meant some excellent performances — a neutral-floor win over then-ranked Texas, home wins over nationally ranked Xavier and Oregon, and road wins at Stanford and Oregon State.
But it has also meant some duds — see Utah.
At this point, however, Boyle is right. He's done his best to put this team in position to win, and they've played well enough at times to prove they have the ability to play with the nation's elite.
Their lack of consistency, however, has kept them from producing the kind of season most expected — and now, Boyle's point is on the mark. This team has just a handful of games remaining to write their its legacy, in particular the seniors.
When fans remember teams, they remember the highlights. In recent CU history, that has meant the magical Pac-12 tourney run and ensuing first-round NCAA victory in 2012. It has meant Spencer Dinwiddie and his leadership, Andre Roberson and his seemingly tireless effort, Josh Scott and his dedication, work ethic and steadiness.
And this year's Buffs?
As it stands now, it's a season with no clear definition — other than games in which the Buffs came up short.
That's probably not a legacy these seniors will want to be remembered for years from now.
Now, time is short, but there's still a chance for the 2016-17 Buffs to write a finish of which they'll be proud. It could be another run deep into the Pac-12 tournament or an NIT run that rejuvenates the fan base — something that will leave a lasting impression.
Of course, there is also the possibility that this team closes with a finish that mirrors the season thus far.
As Boyle said Monday after practice, we'll get an idea on Thursday.
"We're tested every time we step out on the floor game night and that's the next time we'll be tested," Boyle said. "I wish I could say I had the answer right now, but we'll find out."
Indeed.
What we know for sure is that these Buffs have at least three games remaining this season. Nothing more is guaranteed.
It will be interesting to see what these seniors decide they want their legacy to be.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
