BOULDER – “That’s the Derrick White I’ve been talking about and the one the fans have been waiting to see.” Tad Boyle said following the Colorado Buffaloes 68-66 defeat of the No. 13 Xavier Musketeers.
White, the fifth-year senior went off for team-leading 23 on a night that will be remembered as his, both now, and on Selection Sunday.
Not only was White terrific but the tenacious defense that has characterized the Tad Boyle era, was back. A slop fest to start, swung back and forth and eventually Boyle’s Buffs were able to get a grasp of the game.
“We knew it was going to be a hell of a game,” Boyle said after the game. “I have a lot of respect for Xavier, that’s why this is such a big win.”
Trevon Bluieitt the star for the Musketeers and one of the brightest in college basketball was outshined by that of White. Splashing home three three-pointers, nabbing the clutch block and more, White had the performance everyone had expected since coming on campus at Boulder.
White got after it early and it was the stretch at the end of the first half that foreshadowed the rest of the game. The transfer from UCCS hit a three-pointer to put the Buffaloes up 28-23 with about three minutes left in the first half to cap off a 10-2 run. But Bluieitt hit two straight threes on an 8-0 run for the Musketeers and that would give Xavier the 31-28 lead at the half.
CU struggled to find much of a rhythm offensively in the early going. At one point, they were a mere 1-for-8 from the three point line. Even with all of the misfortunes on offense, the Buffs were still very much in the game at the halftime. Which, was eerily similar to three years ago on the same night in the same place when the Buffs upset the ranked Jayhawks.
The second half started with Bluiett hitting two straight threes, putting Xavier up 39-30. But that didn’t dismantle the Buffaloes.
Colorado was able to find their stoke hitting three from downtown in a one minute stretch. Xavier Johnson, George King and White, flipped the script as the Buffaloes went on a 15-0 run to take a 54-47 lead. Xavier was held scoreless for seven whole minutes as their offense became anemic.
“You can have all the plays in the world, all of the defensive concepts in the world but if you don’t have players that can make plays down the stretch, you’re not going to win games,” Boyle said.
From there, the Buffs would hold as the Musketeers clawed their way back. CUs’ defense played a pivotal role down the stretch and they continued to force the Xavier players, including Bluiett, into taking bad shots. White would also make the defensive play of the night with a huge block in the last minute as Xavier had an opportunity in a one possession game.
White was incredible for the entire game, every time the Buffaloes needed a big shot, it was White who hit it. He finished the game with 23 points on 9-for-17 shooting (52.9%), and added six rebounds and four assists.
Johnson played a key role tonight as well finishing second on the team with 18 points and seven rebounds. King was right behind him with 16 points and added a team high ten rebounds.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Derrick White
23 points (9-for-17), 6 rebounds and 4 assists
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME:
Back-to-back three pointers courtesy of Xavier Johnson and George King with eight minutes left in the contest
BY THE NUMBERS:
Colorado-Xavier
FG : 44.6%-37.7%
3FG : 45.0%-25.9%
FT : 61.9%-64.3%
Turnovers: 13-10
Rebounds: 36-41
Highlights:
WATCH | Highlights of the Buffs 68-66 upset over No. 13 Xavier #BuffTough #RollTad pic.twitter.com/clQVuReI5i
— Colorado Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) December 8, 2016
WHAT’S NEXT:
The Buffaloes get a key win for themselves emotionally and also for their resume when March rolls around. They don’t have much time to celebrate as they head off soon to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars in what should be another great non-conference matchup.
