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Brooks: Day’s Need Was ‘D’ But Buffs Didn’t Deliver
Nov 12th
TUCSON, Ariz. – Colorado changed quarterbacks here Saturday in hopes of generating a little more offense – and the Buffaloes got a little more than in five previous Pac-12 Conference blowouts. Just a little ‘D’ was needed – but the Buffs delivered even less than that.
There are plenty of horrific stats being accumulated in CU’s waning 2012 season, but what happened in Arizona Stadium offers an ugly encapsulation: Arizona’s 574 yards in total offense was only the fourth-highest total by a CU opponent this fall. And the Wildcats’ 56 points were only the third-most allowed by the Buffs. But it was the fifth time a 2012 opponent has put up 50 or more points on them.
CU’s carnage by yards: Fresno State, 665; Oregon, 617; Arizona State, 593; Arizona, 574. The beatings by points: Oregon, 70; Fresno State, 69; Arizona, 56; ASU, 51; USC, 50.
CU’s defense has forgotten how to spell S-T-O-P. And as for stopping the run, well, check with Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey, who spent as much time in CU’s secondary as the Buffs’ DBs.
Carey on, Ka’Deem – and he did, rushing for a Pac-12 record 366 yards and five touchdowns. He turned in a career-long 71 yarder, a 64-yarder, and accounted for 14 of the Wildcats’ 16 rushing first downs. When the Buffs closed their eyes Saturday night, they might have still seen Carey running past them.
And Arizona’s numbers could have been uglier. Backup quarterback B.J. Denker started instead of Pac-12 total offense leader Matt Scott, who sat this one out with a concussion. Scott accounts for 357.4 yards a game, and his expected absence, according to CU defensive coordinator Greg Brown, had the Buffs focused on dealing with Carey.
Brown called Scott a “tremendous player . . . sure, you’re looking at who might replace him. But we knew the whole issue was going to be (Carey). There was no secret. That was a big deal all week for us in our preparations. We had a certain goal to keep (Carey) contained and obviously didn’t happen.”
Brown said his unit had seen hours of tape demonstrating Carey’s ability to “break-kick” out of tackles. “That was no surprise,” he said. “Our defenders knew that going in. Coach (Rich) Rodriguez has implemented a great system and (Carey) fits that to a ‘T.’ With all those cutback runs, if you’re not in your gap then he’s going to hurt you. And he obviously hurt us to a huge extent.”
The Buffs couldn’t have slowed Carey with a restraining order, and the fact that they once again missed tackles and blew gap assignments compounded their long day of being run into the ground.
Junior linebacker Derrick Webb was at a loss to explain why he and his teammates continue to struggle against zone-read option offenses: “I couldn’t tell you that,” he said. “Every game plan we get we try to execute it. Coach Brown does a great job finding ways for us to combat the zone-read offense. It’s just a tough deal . . . you can’t do it nine out of ten times; that last time they’ll hit you and hit you hard for a bunch of yards. We’ve got guys playing as hard as they can; we’ve just got to be sound.”
On offense, it appeared they were getting sounder. The Buffs’ 31 points were their second most this season, behind the 35 they scored in the conference-opening win at Washington State nearly two months ago. CU also totaled 437 yards Saturday, second to the 531 at Wazzu and 361 more than the output the previous weekend (76) against Stanford. And those 31 points were a very nice upgrade over the zero scored against the Cardinal.
But in the interest of full Pac-12 disclosure, Saturday’s stats came against an Arizona defense that was allowing 497.3 yards and 35 points a game – ranking the Wildcats lower (No. 12) than the Buffs among the league’s defensive units.
So when the Buffs touched down here Friday, they meant to hit the ground running and passing under new quarterback Nick Hirschman, who was effective until leaving the game in the third quarter with concussion symptoms. Actually, he should have left earlier than he did; CU allowed two sacks, one coming after a groggy Hirschman forgot the play he’d called and wound up spun to the turf, according to Buffs coach Jon Embree.
“That’s how we start the third quarter,” Embree said, noting that a delay of game penalty on CU also was the product of Hirschman being woozy. “Those issues with the clock . . . we didn’t realize Hirschman had gotten dinged early in third.”
Other than that and an interception that eventually led to an Arizona score, Embree said Hirschman “managed the offense and gave us a chance on that side. He handled checks well; he had his moments.”
When Hirschman was sidelined, Connor Wood relieved him and also had his moments, although Embree said if Hirschman’s health permits he likely will start next Saturday against Washington. Of Wood, Embree said, “He was fine when he got in there. It’s just part of the growing pains with those guys . . . I’m pleased overall with how that position played this week. They did a lot better job of managing it, a lot better job of taking check downs. We had some plays downfield but weren’t comfortable . . . so they didn’t force it.”
But the afternoon eventually came back to the CU defense and its inability to slow Carey. Arizona scored on seven consecutive possessions spanning the first and second halves and was forced to punt only twice. Said Embree of his defense: “It was not a good performance.”
Webb pointed to “the same issues all season” surfacing again Saturday – pinpointing the Buffs allowing runners to hit the edge, successfully cut back and reel off large runs. Webb called Carey “a great back . . . he was able to cut it back. A couple of times guys could have been in gaps better (but) he found the gap and went for a long ways.
“The thing about the zone-read offense – it’s all about being sound. You can have ten guys playing their butts off, but all it takes is one gap – and he was able to find that gap. He was able to hit it hard and it’s off to the races.”
Scoff if you want, but Brown believes his unit has made improvement during the course of this wearing, one-win season. But, he conceded, “It’s hard to see . . . it’s really hard on a day like to sit there and talk about that. There are young kids who are getting better. We started five freshmen on defense; they’ve got to get better. But it isn’t just the freshmen; we’ve got to get better across the board. The accountability has to be there for all of us . . .”
Webb contended the Buffs’ ‘D’ still has something left for the season’s final two games – next Saturday vs. Washington, Nov. 23 vs. Utah, with both at Folsom Field. “We put it all out every game and that’s what we’re going to do these last two,” he said. “We’ve got a lot more to give, especially after a game like this. We always want to come back and be strong for the next week.
“Yeah, we have been (gashed). It’s been a tough season for us. As tough as it is, though, it only makes us stronger, as crazy as that may sound. We’ve been through a lot, but it’s all about how you come back and play the next game.”
After 10 mostly futile weeks, the ‘D’ has two more chances to improve. After that comes as long an off-season as CU has experienced. It isn’t what anyone expected, but it’s what is left of the remains.
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Brooks: Deep, Talented CU Women’s Team Awaits Opener
Nov 10th
Release: 11/10/2012 Courtesy: B.G. Brooks, Contributing Editor
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BOULDER – It might be a stretch for a college junior to be reflecting on how it was “back in the day,” but Brittany Wilson vividly recalls how things were in Colorado women’s basketball a mere three seasons ago. “In my freshman year,” “B-Wil” remembered the other day, “we got down to six players when we played Iowa State.” Technically, the Buffs were down to eight players, but first-year coach Linda Lappe‘s primary rotation that day was six – with the five starters playing at least 33 minutes each in a game that pushed into overtime. But here’s Wilson’s point: Her first CU team didn’t have a deep end; most of the time it flailed away in shallow water. Things have changed. Big-time. The CU team that opens its 2012-13 season Sunday afternoon against Idaho (2 p.m., Coors Events Center) has plenty of bodies that play plenty well. What’s more, the daily competition goes from whistle to whistle and isn’t for the gentle and meek. “Coaches have to stop practice sometimes to get people off the floor,” Wilson said. “We haven’t had the competition on the floor like this. You have to come out and compete for your spot every single day, because there’s 13 girls that can play. If you don’t come out ready to defend your position – if you are a starter – or to earn your playing time, either you’re not going to start or you’re not going to get that playing time.” That’s exactly the way Lappe and her staff want it, although her priority as Sunday’s opener approached was identifying enough consistency among those talented 13 players to pencil in a starting lineup. As of Tuesday, she had “no idea,” but she will by Sunday morning. It’s a good problem to have, one that will sort itself out as Lappe’s very balanced bunch advances. If her number of better players this season creates a different kind of dilemma, it’s still one she relishes. She and her staff “take a lot of stock in who brings it every day in practice” and use that as a guide in determining how 40 minutes on game day is split. “But day to day that changes with our team,” Lappe said. “That’s been the most unsettling thing as a coach – the consistency of our players and who we think can provide us major minutes during this first game. It’s something that as the year goes along will change and fluctuate. That’s probably been the hardest thing for me. But there’s good in that because now you do have 10-12 players that all could start on any given day.” Lappe has a pretty good handle on two members of Sunday’s starting five. That pair would be senior wingMeagan Malcolm-Peck and “B-Wil,” who sees herself in the next layer of leadership below Malcolm-Peck and senior point guard Chucky Jeffery. Here’s how Wilson perceives her game and her role: “Things have slowed down for me. I’m a junior now, I get the game. Although I played in two different conferences, now for me it’s like I don’t have to think so much. I can just go out and play . . . And now, I see myself as leader in helping (teammates) to follow. As Meagan and Chucky are leaders, I help others follow those two. If Meagan or Chucky is saying things that somebody might not be getting, then it’s usually me or the next person to tweak it a little so it is understood.” That’s a good position for now, but it probably will evolve into a full-blown take-charge role. And if not this season, then surely next, when she is a senior. Whichever of those scenarios occur, Lappe feels fortunate to be able to watch it happen. Her first two CU teams have a combined 39-30 record and a pair of WNIT appearances. Showing further progress in year three is paramount, and Lappe believes it can happen because of leadership that hadn’t fully developed in years one and two. “This is the first year to have some junior-senior leadership that has played a lot for our first two or three years,” Lappe said. “That’s definitely a bonus; it allows us to take that next step. We’ve never had that (and) it differentiates this team from some of the others. We also have some good talented young players who are maybe further ahead than some of the other freshmen we’ve had at different times.” How far ahead? Last season, CU played Idaho at the CEC on Dec. 4, winning 68-59. Tape of that game, said Lappe, shows this team – young as it is – to be further along in early November than her 2011-12 squad was in early December. “We look better now than at that point,” said Lappe, adding that the loss of senior post Julie Seabrook and her court communication on screens and setting the defense might be a temporary setback. “But overall we’re further ahead and much, much deeper.” Wilson agreed, noting that in this season’s pair of exhibition games, the Buffs “got it going early . . . last year we struggled (early) to get it going. There were stretches where we didn’t score for five or six minutes at a time, but this year the freshmen are catching onto the offense and we have a lot of upperclassmen now.” Although forward Jen Reese is entering her sophomore season, Lappe considers Reese well-seasoned. Reese does, too. She’s been waiting for Sunday’s opener longer than most; she missed last season’s last six games with an orbital eye socket injury and is wearing protective goggles now, although “it’s a hassle,” she said. Her vision slowly is returning to normal, but still can be a little fuzzy now when she gazes upward when under the rim. So she uses her neck more and tilts her head. But Reese clearly sees this: “These players have more confidence and that brings out more confidence in the team. We have leaders in Meagan and Chucky, when she’s the point guard. And I feel like we’ve been communicating better. The freshmen have been doing really well listening to us and improving every day in practice . . . I think we’re just more prepared.” More focused on a daily basis, too. Every team has reaching the NCAA Tournament as a goal, and that includes the Buffs, who could wind up playing in NCAA first- and second-round games in their building. But the approach this season is different, said Reese: “Last year we had a main goal of going to the NCAAs, but we weren’t more concerned with how to get there . . . this year we’re setting goals that we can reach (daily) to get to that level. That’s what I like about this year.” Reese says she’s among the Buffs whose confidence has skyrocketed, plus she’s stronger and better conditioned. And here’s something else – aside from the depth, the talent and the confidence – that Wilson says sets this team apart from others: “We’ve got 13 girls with heart, 13 girls that will punch you back if you punch them . . . we’re all competitors, that’s what different and special about this team.” Lappe is hoping it all translates into a special year. It gets underway on Sunday afternoon. [includeme src=”http://c1n.tv/boulder/media/bouldersponsors.html” frameborder=”0″ width=”670″ height=”300″] |
Boulder CU women’s to battle Cal Bears tonight
Jan 12th
Womens Buff basketball team don’t have much experience with new Pac-12 Conference foes.
The Buffaloes do, however, have a fresh memory of the Cal Bears and they know they’re in for a battle tonight. Colorado (13-1, 2-1 Pac-12) hosts Cal (11-5, 2-2) in its Pac-12 home opener at 7 p.m.
“The main emphasis is being more physical than they are and just being aggressive and ready for a fight,” CU junior Meagan Malcolm-Peck said. “I think our team actually raises the level of play with the higher competition we play. That’s really exciting for us.”
Cal got off to a fast start this year, in large part because of its tremendous rebounding. The Bears rank No. 1 in the country with a plus-18.3
Meagan Malcolm-Peck of Colorado battles with Shawnte Taylor of Weber State. For more photos of the game, go to www.dailycamera.com. December 17, 2011 / Cliff Grassmick ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )
average and have out-rebounded every opponent this year.
Cal hasn’t lost a rebounding battle since March 21, 2011 — in Boulder. The Buffs out-rebounded Cal in an 81-65 win in the WNIT.
“We just fought back and they backed down,” Malcolm-Peck said. “I think we have to throw the first punch and be ready for it, but know we can do it.”
CU has been exceptional on the boards all season, as well, out-rebounding 12 of 14 opponents and ranking 11th in the country with a plus-10.6 rebounding margin.
“It’s always fun to be physical down there,” said Malcolm-Peck, who has averaged five rebounds per game this season. “I think (Cal is) for sure the best rebounding team we’ve played. We’ve worked a lot this week on just boxing out and you’ve got to hit them first and not let them make the first move.”
That’s easier said than done. Cal sophomore Gennifer Brandon is posting 11.1 rebounds per game, including 24 in one game and 19 in another. She sat out last year with an injury and didn’t play against the Buffs.
Led by Brandon and Talia Caldwell, the Bears are particularly good at hitting the offensive glass. Cal scores an average of 18.1 second-chance points per game, nearly double the second-chance points the Bears allow (9.1). In Saturday’s 90-67 win over Oregon, the Bears out-rebounded the Ducks 63-26 and had 29 second-chance points, compared to one for Oregon.
“That’s part of their offense,” CU coach Linda Lappe. “They look to drive it hard and just crash the glass. We’ll have to do a great job of boxing out and keeping them out of the paint. You can’t let them get too many offensive rebounds and you can’t let them score them.”
In addition to competing on the boards, the Buffs are looking to stay strong on defense, score in transition and cut down on their turnovers. The Buffs have averaged 17.2 turnovers per game and rank last in the conference in turnover margin. They have 58 turnovers in three conference games.
“Anytime they’re over 15, it’s too many turnovers,” Lappe said. “We’ve become a little sloppy with our outlets. We’ve become a little sloppy with our posts — we have too many post turnovers.”
While CU has spent this week working on getting better in preparation for Cal, the Buffs have also been eager to hit the Coors Events Center court. They haven’t played in front of the home fans since Dec. 17.
“It’s an exciting time,” Lappe said. “First Pac-12 game here and hopefully we get a good fan base and get this place rockin’ a little bit. If that’s the case, we’ll definitely bring a lot of energy.”