The Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team is determined to turn their fortunes around as they prepare to face the Central Florida Knights on January 6, 2024. After suffering two consecutive home defeats, Colorado aims to end a four-game losing streak as they host UCF at the CU Events Center.
Colorado’s recent home games have been marked by frustration, particularly due to controversial officiating decisions. In their last outing, the Buffaloes fell to the Kansas Jayhawks with a score of 75-69, a game that featured a pivotal turnover during an inbounds play. Colorado head coach Tad Boyle expressed disappointment over a call involving Kansas player Melvin Council Jr., who appeared to be out of bounds before making contact with the ball.
In their previous home game, Colorado nearly overcame a significant 24-point deficit against Texas Tech. However, a last-second jump shot from Jaylen Petty was ruled valid despite a video review suggesting otherwise. This decision ultimately contributed to a narrow two-point loss. Following these incidents, Boyle reached out to the Big 12 office for clarification, although he acknowledged that such discussions would not change the outcomes of those games.
“I had conversations with the Big 12 office this week,” Boyle stated. “Nothing’s going to change in terms of the calls, or the missed calls. The Texas Tech situation was the one that bothered me the most just because we had the replay and we just didn’t use it correctly. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s part of life. But I feel like my voice has been heard. It’s time to move on and focus on Central Florida.”
As Colorado shifts its focus to UCF, Boyle emphasizes the importance of controlling the game pace and limiting the impact of the Knights’ standout guards, Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks. Kugel, a transfer from Mississippi State, is UCF’s leading scorer, while Fulks ranks second in the Big 12 with an average of 7.2 assists per game. Boyle noted that both players are capable of making difficult shots and driving to the basket effectively.
“Our ability to contain and minimize their two guards is crucial,” Boyle said. “They can take tough shots and make tough shots. We’re not going to eliminate their scoring entirely, but we need to make it challenging for them.”
The upcoming match against UCF will tip off at 1 p.m. local time at the CU Events Center. The Knights enter the game with a record of 14-4 and a 3-3 mark in the Big 12 Conference, while Colorado holds a 12-7 overall record and is 2-4 in the conference.
Key players for UCF include Kugel, who averages 14.6 points per game, and Fulks, who contributes 13.7 points along with significant playmaking. Colorado will rely on the contributions of freshman guard Isaiah Johnson, who leads the team with an average of 16.0 points per game.
In terms of injuries, Colorado’s Elijah Malone is recovering from an injury sustained during the game against Kansas. Boyle indicated that Malone is improving and was not listed on the Big 12 injury report.
As the Buffaloes prepare for this crucial matchup, the team aims to capitalize on their home court advantage and secure a much-needed victory to build momentum moving forward in the season.
