No 'Zona in Boulder, but Buffs' schedule finishes strong

The Pac-12 Conference released their weekly pairings for the men’s basketball season on Tuesday morning and it provided a brief, yet important, look into one of the most critical seasons of the Tad Boyle era.

2016-17 Pac-12 Conference Men’s Basketball Weekly Pairings (Wednesday-Sunday)

Week of Dec. 28-Jan. 1
Colorado at Utah
Arizona/Arizona State at California/Stanford
UCLA/USC at Oregon/Oregon State
Washington State at Washington

Week of Jan. 4-8
Colorado/Utah at Arizona/Arizona State
California/Stanford at UCLA/USC
Oregon/Oregon State at Washington/Washington State

Week of Jan. 11-15
UCLA/USC at Colorado/Utah
Washington/Washington State at California/Stanford
Arizona State at Arizona
Oregon State at Oregon

Week of Jan. 18-22
Colorado/Utah at Washington/Washington State
Arizona/Arizona State at UCLA/USC
California/Stanford at Oregon/Oregon State

Week of Jan. 25-29
Oregon/Oregon State at Colorado/Utah
Washington/Washington State at Arizona/Arizona State
Stanford at California
UCLA at USC

Week of Feb. 1-5
Colorado/Utah at California/Stanford
Arizona/Arizona State at Oregon/Oregon State
UCLA/USC at Washington/Washington State

Week of Feb. 8-12
Washington/Washington State at Colorado/Utah
California/Stanford at Arizona/Arizona State
Oregon/Oregon State at UCLA/USC

Week of Feb. 15-19
Colorado/Utah at Oregon/Oregon State
Arizona/Arizona State at Washington/Washington State
California at Stanford
USC at UCLA

Week of Feb. 22-26
Utah at Colorado
Oregon/Oregon State at California/Stanford
UCLA/USC at Arizona/Arizona State
Washington at Washington State

Week of March 1-4 (Regular season concludes Saturday, March 4)
California/Stanford at Colorado/Utah
Washington/Washington State at UCLA/USC
Arizona at Arizona State
Oregon at Oregon State

Here are a few observations:

1.) No Arizona in Boulder this season, Buffs fans. 

One of the most energetically charged games of the season, Colorado and Arizona will meet once this year, in Tucson. Outside of Sabatino Chen’s controversial shot, the Buffs haven’t found much success in McKale, one of the premier home court advantages in the country. Finding a way to finally break through in the Old Pueblo would go a long way for this year’s group.

2.) Utah out the gate

Colorado has struggled recently to gain traction in Salt Lake City as the Utes have seen their program return to strength. After collapsing down the stretch last season, the Buffs will get an early shot to build momentum in conference play and notch what should be a quality road win come tournament time. Although, even if they can’t manage that, you have to think that seeing the Utes in Boulder on the second-to-last go around will set up nicely for a team that should be gelled by then. Speaking of…

3.) Backside is the good side

Boyle’s group opens with a brutal stretch of road games, sure, but they finish with five of seven games at home. What does that mean? From the end of January on to the end of the season, the Buffs stand quite a good chance at making a serious run, building their momentum and resume for Selection Sunday.

****Also…look at this****

Are those Flatirons going on the CEC floor? #RollTad pic.twitter.com/xi6ns6Hycd

— CUTechBuff (@CUTechBuff) July 26, 2016

I know Oregon’s court is offensive to everything that is holy, but one has to believe that Colorado can avoid screwing this up. If done right, Flatirons on the court at the CEC would be about my favorite thing of the year.