Boulder – Dartmouth coach Terry Dunn walked into the Coors Events Center on Saturday and promptly headed for the wrong locker room.
It was an honest mistake. Dunn served eight seasons as a Colorado assistant before getting his first head coaching job in 2004 with the Ivy League school. And because Dunn had been CU’s primary recruiter, many of the opposing players might have looked more familiar than his own.
“I’d never been in the locker room for the visiting team. I struggled to find it,” Dunn said, trying to muster a grin after Colorado’s 83-65 victory. “I love all those guys. When you are at a place as long as I was, there will be some nostalgic feelings.”
Dunn hugged his former boss, Ricardo Patton. Then Dunn walked into the CU locker room – this time intentionally – to congratulate his former players and wish them well. Dunn said he felt a sense of pride after seeing how far they have progressed.
Getting 17 points and nine rebounds from reserve swingman Martane Freeman, Colorado improved to 9-1 for its best start since 1978.
With a victory over Savannah State on Tuesday, CU would enter Big 12 Conference play riding a nine-game winning streak. CU hasn’t won that many in a row since a 12-game streak during the 1961-62 season.
“I told the (Colorado) kids that when they get to the NCAA Tournament, I’ll be sitting there cheering them on,” Dunn said. “I sure hope they make the tournament. They’re a good team. And they are fun to watch – unless you’re coaching against them.”
Mixed emotions didn’t figure into Dunn’s fiery postgame speech. He preached hard work and a determined attitude after his Big Green (1-9) lost its eighth straight. But Dunn also saw some positives. Dartmouth played CU almost even in the second half (a 42-41 Buffs advantage) and never quit.
Patton said Dartmouth was as well-coached as any team CU has played this season.
“Those guys came out ready,” said CU senior forward Chris Copeland, who was recruited by Dunn four years ago out of Richmond, Va. “I’m not surprised by that. They say a team reflects the personality of its coach.”
It wasn’t until late in the first half that Colorado finally shed the rust from nine days off. The Buffs finished with a 14-4 run to take a 41-24 advantage into the break.
Colorado has some work to do before its Big 12 opener Jan. 7 at Texas.
The Buffs blew three two-on-one fast breaks, hit just 12-for-21 from the free-throw line and lost their rhythm after substitutions were made.
Although not particularly quick, Dartmouth players were crafty. Sneaking into passing lanes, they helped force 19 Colorado turnovers.
“I’m sure the next few practices we’ll be reminded that we need to pick it up,” CU junior guard Marcus Hall said.
DARTMOUTH (1-9)
Flynn 3-9 2-2 8, Ball 3-6 2-2 8, Bode 0-2 0-0 0, Pattman 3-11 2-4 9, Giovacchini 1-4 4-4 7, Mosley 3-8 4-4 11, Lang 2-7 0-0 5, Meyer 0-1 0-0 0, Barnett 1-4 0-0 2, Biber 2-4 0-0 4, Baker 0-0 0-0 0, Arnold 5-9 0-0 11, Powers 0-1 0-0 0, McMillan 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 23-69 14-16 65.
COLORADO (9-1)
Osborn 5-10 1-1 12, Copeland 4-7 2-2 11, Obazuaye 3-5 3-4 9, Hall 4-6 0-0 9, Roby 6-12 0-1 13, Eddy 0-0 1-2 1, Carder 0-0 0-0 0, Senger 1-2 1-2 3, Coleman 0-1 0-0 0, Freeman 7-9 2-2 17, Williams 1-3 0-1 2, Arrington 0-1 0-0 0, King-Stockton 0-2 0-2 0, Ashby 2-5 2-4 6, McGee 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-63 12-21 83.
Halftime – Colorado 41-24. 3-point goals – Dartmouth 5-17 (Arnold 1-1, Giovacchini 1-2, Pattman 1-3, Mosley 1-3, Lang 1-6, Flynn 0-1, Biber 0-1); Colorado 5-16 (Copeland 1-1, Freeman 1-1, Hall 1-3, Osborn 1-5, Roby 1-5, Coleman 0-1). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – Dartmouth 35 (Flynn 7), Colorado 48 (Freeman 9). Assists – Dartmouth 11 (Ball 2, Mosley 2, Pattman 2), Colorado 18 (Roby 4). Total fouls – Dartmouth 19, Colorado 17.
A – 2,534.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
