BOULDER — Whether the 78-71 victory Tuesday night over 22nd-ranked Baylor becomes a turning point in the Colorado men’s basketball program remains to be seen.
It’s much, much too early to predict any significance, CU coach Jeff Bzdelik said, pointing out that No. 13 Kansas State comes to town Saturday. And he still needs to recruit a big man.
“It’s a milestone,” Bzdelik said. “We need more milestones.”
Never mind, he said, that this was the first win over a ranked opponent during his three seasons in Boulder. He felt more elation for his players.
As much as anything, it was an important victory from a psychological standpoint, Bzdelik explained. “To get rewarded with a great win for the effort our players are giving, that’s huge,” he said. “I’m so happy for them. (Losing) has been tough on everybody.”
Battling a substantial size disadvantage against Baylor’s front line of 7-feet, 6-10 and 6-10, Colorado (10-6, 1-1 Big 12) trailed 32-27 at halftime. But the Buffs, inspired by courageous drives down the lane by Cory Higgins and Marcus Relphorde, began to get a bounce in their step. They started beating Baylor down the court and began to chip away.
Two free throws by Higgins completed a 16-5 run that put the hosts up 59-51. Then a 3-pointer by Relphorde and a hanging bank shot by Higgins made it 66-56 with 2:06 to play.
Finally showing some nerves, Colorado converted only 5-of-10 free throws during the final 51 seconds, but that was enough. A season-best crowd of 6,957 roared in approval.
Five CU players scored in double figures, led by Higgins (18 points), Relphorde (17) and freshman guard Alec Burks (16). CU improved to 9-0 at home.
Colorado managed just one Big 12 Conference victory last season. This score no doubt will raise eyebrows around the league. CU may not yet be back. But the Buffs no longer figure to be pushovers, at least in the Coors Events Center.
In the face of all that pressure, and against an athletic, long-armed opponent, the Buffs committed just five turnovers — a season low. At the other end, CU helped to force 18 Baylor turnovers.
“It’s huge for our confidence,” said Higgins, a junior guard.
Baylor (13-2, 1-1) was coming off a big win — a 91-60 thrashing of Oklahoma on Saturday in Waco, Texas, that snapped a 30-game losing streak to the Sooners. But CU shot 61.5 percent after halftime and never blinked.
“You really have to give Colorado credit,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “They made the shots in the second half, and some of them were tough shots. I’d rather lose to a team that plays well.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Home of upsets
Colorado beat a top-25 team for the first time in nearly three years. A look at CU’s last five victories over ranked opponents:
Jan. 12, 2010: 78-71 over No. 22 Baylor, at Boulder
Feb. 3, 2007: 89-77 over No. 12 Oklahoma State, at Boulder
Feb. 15. 2006: 84-75 over No. 18 Oklahoma, at Boulder
Feb. 8, 2005: 88-79 over No. 23 Texas, at Boulder
Feb. 18, 2004: 85-75 over No. 22 Texas Tech, at Boulder
Source: CU sports information
