AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Moments after an emotional 60-50 road victory Thursday night, Jeff Bzdelik instructed his Colorado men’s basketball team to stand with him during the playing of “The Air Force Song.” Bzdelik then headed toward Section 8 beyond the north basket, where many in the cadets cheering section had waited, presumably to boo the former Falcons coach as he left the court.
Bzdelik told the cadets he loved them.
They were stunned and speechless. Jaws dropped and eyes widened. Wearing white T-shirts with a red cross running through a picture of Bzdelik, the cadets at Clune Arena must have been ready for a confrontation — especially those holding signs such as “Welcome home, traitor” and “Show me the money.”
Instead, Bzdelik looked like he wanted to hug every one of them — just as he had done to the entire Air Force basketball team after the game.
“I wanted to get one of those shirts,” Bzdelik told reporters afterward. “But a guy told me I had to buy it.
“I just told them I admire them and respect them. I appreciate what they’re doing for us as citizens, protecting our freedom and serving our country. I mean that.”
Bzdelik, who had guided Air Force to a 50-16 record in two seasons, also was thankful that senior guard Richard Roby is on his side. Roby scored a game-best 21 points while missing only three shots all night — a pair of errant 3-pointers and a foul shot that wouldn’t drop.
The Buffaloes (5-2) never trailed.
“We just wanted to be in the driver’s seat the whole game,” Roby said.
In fact, Colorado snapped Air Force’s 38-game winning streak against nonconference opponents. But more important, CU players said, was avenging last season’s 84-46 loss to the Falcons and making Bzdelik’s return successful.
CU senior guard Marcus Hall added 18 points.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
