CU Buffs finally win the big one, poised for shot to lead the Pac

The Colorado Buffaloes won the big game, finally. Even with a 17-5 record and a handful of chances to do so, the Buffs hadn’t won a monumental, season-defining, fans-all-jump-on-board-game, that changed Sunday. CU’s 70-62 win over the California Golden Bears was a big win. A huge win.

Why hasn’t Coors Event’s Center seen the sellout crowds? Why aren’t the Buffs ranked despite having 17 wins halfway through the conference slate? The answer to both those questions is one in the same, every chance Colorado had to make an impression on their fanbase and the national audience, they’ve fallen short.

If they had beaten Iowa State or SMU, CU would’ve garnered the respect they deserve, but now there is absolutely no reason this Buffs squad shouldn’t be thought of seriously. Tad Boyle has prepared this CU team for a Pac-12 title from the onset of the season, and with the way they’re currently playing, they’re legit contender’s for the championship belt.

What made this win against Cal so big is that they are a solid squad whom once blew out the Buffs earlier this season. There was also nothing to sour this win like the loss to Utah right before the win over Oregon. Finally, CU showed their pliability in the fine game in which they returned to the art of #TadBall.

Many a time this season the offense has dictated and decided games for the Buffaloes, Sunday, the defense starred. Even though they did not hit all of Boyle’s numbers, they did the little things and held true to the principles of their program.

However, they do not need to follow #TadBall in order to win each night and that’s what makes this team a serious threat. Their docility in winning gives them a chance to win in any gym, against any team.

That challenge this time around is Oregon, a team in which Colorado beat 91-87 two weeks ago in Bouler. Those Ducks lead the Pac-12 with an 18-4 (7-2) record. CU hasn’t won at Matthew Knight Arena since 2013 when the Andre-Roberson-led Buffs knocked off the 19th ranked Ducks on Feb. 7.

Boyle knows the Pac-12 leading Ducks in the forest is no easy game.

“We would love to have that Utah game back,” he said after the win over Cal. “But life doesn’t work like that. Nine games under the belt and we’re 6-3 so it’s a good time to reflect. But not for very long since we have nine more games left. And we have to consider the tall task at hand of going to Eugene and playing Oregon.”

Now that Colorado has finally won a game to push all the hot air into their sails, it’s time to ask, can they two big ones in a row? If they were to do so, they could ride a trade wind through the second half of the conference season straight to Las Vegas.

Colorado has done enough to be ranked. Colorado has done enough to sell out the Keg. And Colorado is doing enough work to potentially win a Pac-12 title. Sunday’s win is an indication that this squad means business. Thursday in Eugene is not a must-win game, either way, this team is the real deal. But if they are able to pull one out Thursday, you can put this Boyle team in elite company.