In a game that highlighted the thin line between victory and defeat, Colorado found themselves on the wrong side of a “make-miss” scenario against BYU. Tad Boyle’s Buffs were unable to connect when it mattered most, leading to a tough 90-86 overtime loss.
The Buffs’ recent struggles from beyond the arc were a key factor. While some of their recent road losses were blowouts where shooting woes were less critical, the inability to hit long-range shots was glaring against BYU. As they gear up for a two-game homestand starting with Oklahoma State, the focus will be on breaking this shooting slump.
Boyle acknowledged the issue, particularly with shot selection. “Most of our bad shots come in the lane,” he noted, emphasizing the need for smarter decisions.
“There’s shot-takers and there’s shot-makers. We had a lot of shot-takers against BYU.
We need more shot-makers.”
The numbers tell the story: a 9-for-32 performance from three-point range against BYU and a .266 mark over the past three games. Outside of Barrington Hargress, the team’s shooting has been ice-cold.
Bangot Dak is hitting just .238 in Big 12 play, and freshman Josiah Sanders has struggled at 2-for-20 on the season. Even Isaiah Johnson, typically a reliable shooter, has cooled off significantly.
Hargress remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of taking quality shots. “As long as we feel like it’s a good shot by a good shooter, and it’s in rotation, I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “We’ll always get good shots, and that’s really what we’re always focused on, whether they go in or not.”
Injuries have also played a role in the conference landscape. BYU’s Richie Saunders and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin both suffered season-ending injuries recently. Toppin’s absence will be felt deeply, as he was a dominant force against the Buffs and a key player for Texas Tech.
Boyle expressed his sympathy for Toppin, calling it “awful news” for both the player and the league.
On a brighter note, Dak is making his mark defensively, tying for 15th in program history with 85 blocked shots. Hargress is also climbing the ranks with his playmaking, matching Alec Burks’ 2010-11 total for assists.
As the Buffs prepare for their upcoming games, finding their rhythm from downtown will be crucial. With the potential to turn things around, fans will be eager to see if Colorado can shake off their slump and make a strong push in the conference.