Two takeaways from the Buffs' 74-72 overtime loss at Utah

Colorado had this game, no questions asked. With nine seconds left, McKinley Wright IV caught the inbounds pass and was immediately fouled, sending him to the line for a one-and-one. The Buffs, up to one at this point, needed their star to hit both of his shots and they would get a first-round bye in Las Vegas.

If this were the Buffaloes of early February, Wright would have splashed both free throws and finished off the Utes.

However, this team is just different.

Wright’s first shot rims out, giving Both Gach a chance at the game-winner. As he fades to his right for a deep three, Wright jumps straight-up to contest the shot. While he does not touch the shooter, he lands inside Gach’s landing placement, causing a foul and sending Gach to the line to end Colorado’s hopes.

The disappointment, anger, and confusion of the ending of this game are what Colorado faithful have felt for four straight games, now sending them into tournament time without much hope for a push.

Here’s what we saw early Saturday afternoon:

The inside game was great, but Colorado was too complacent

The Buffaloes scored just eight points in the paint in the second half, although Evan Battey and Tyler Bey combined for 31 points and collectively missed just four shots.

While Utah had no answer for Colorado’s frontcourt pair, the Buffs settled for shooting 25% from deep on just seven makes. They settled far too often, giving Utah chances to stay in the game with their inability to produce a solid run.

Shane Gatling and D’Shawn Schwartz had a forgettable outing, hitting just two shots combined while neither player could find a presence with their stroke. Gatling only saw eight minutes of action, as his lack of offense or defense paved the way for Eli Parquet to play 36 minutes behind a strong athletic performance.

Schwartz has simply lost the touch he had entering conference play and is now averaging just over five points per game in their last six. While his defensive presence is still strong, he can no longer be counted on to hit from the perimeter.

Heading into the conference tournament, do not be surprised if Tad Boyle continues making changes in his lineup. Parquet could be seeing the starting role while Maddox Daniels, who had a strong game with eight points and six rebounds, could also be cracking the rotation more.

With that, the Buffaloes have to continue pounding the ball inside to Bey and Battey. They had one of their best games as a duo in some time but Colorado was unable to identify their cold streak and start feeding the ball inside again.

The key to this team making a run lies in the post, as if they can establish their dominance inside early, it will open up opportunities around the elbow for Wright as the game progresses. Colorado should have beaten Utah, the Buffs just simply stopped playing their brand of basketball.

McKinley Wright is the one to lead Colorado on a run

During the four-game losing streak, one player is still doing everything in his power to will the Buffaloes back.

In his last four, McKinley Wright is averaging almost 18 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 assists. With those numbers, he would be will in the conversation for Pac-12 Player of the Year. While some of his shots have come late in games, Colorado was never in a ‘garbage-time’ scenario, but rather Wright was keeping them in the game.

Wright’s tremendous play in the last four games is one silver lining heading into the post-season, as he is firing on all cylinders while the rest of the team is faltering. With only one player consistently stuffing the stat-sheet, the Buffs were still in almost every game.

Colorado has lost its identity, but one man still has it. And for Colorado to turn its season around, he will need to get the rest of his teammates in the right mindset, as the Buffaloes cannot afford to slip-up again.

Looking ahead

While the four-game slide hurts Colorado’s confidence moving forward, the bracket they pulled could not be any better.

First, they will play Washington State on Wednesday evening, with the winner advancing to take on Arizona State in the quarterfinals. The Buffs are a combined 4-0 against both of these teams, and while the Buffaloes of recent is not the same as early conference play, neither the Cougars nor Sun Devils have presented a big problem for Colorado in the past.

Of course, the Buffs will get into trouble if they start looking past the team in front of them. Their losing streak needs to end now, and quite frankly, they need to make a push in this tournament to regain confidence both inside and outside their own locker room.

Tip-off against WSU is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. (MT) in Las Vegas.