BOULDER — Colorado’s 92-70 victory Wednesday night over Division II Western New Mexico was bound to be a ho-hum tune-up for the Big 12 Conference men’s basketball opener here this weekend, and obviously was scheduled by CU with that in mind.
But did it have to take more than 12 1/2 minutes before a Colorado player showed some spunk?
That’s how long it took for the Buffs (11-4) to finally take the lead over a try-hard but unimposing Mustangs team from Silver City, N.M., that isn’t even considered top-tier in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
“We just came out flat and (Western New Mexico) took advantage,” CU sophomore Alec Burks said.
No, there is no truth to the rumor that Colorado coach Tad Boyle had this planned all along — to make ninth-ranked Missouri (14-1) feel even more confident when it arrives Saturday at the Coors Events Center for an 11:30 a.m. league opener.
Western New Mexico (5-10) must have gained some confidence earlier this week on its Front Range tour with victories over Colorado Christian and Colorado School of Mines because the Mustangs came out firing — and seemingly couldn’t miss. WNMU scored the game’s first three baskets and raced to a 10-2 lead, but not before Boyle had benched his starting lineup in disgust.
“Well, pregame speech No. 15 is going into the trash,” Boyle said in postgame interviews. “I’m looking forward to Saturday. Our guys will be ready.”
Boyle let his regulars stew on the bench until most returned to the court with 12:23 remaining in the first half and the Buffs still down 18-9. CU took its first lead, 23-22, on a drive by senior guard Levi Knutson with 7:20 left.
Burks finished with 20 points and senior Cory Higgins reached 15 after the slow start. Still, Colorado led just 60-51 with 11:40 remaining in the second half.
“I didn’t do a very good job of getting the team ready tonight,” Boyle said.
CU junior point guard Nate Tomlinson (sore hip) sat out the game but will return to practice today and be ready for Missouri, Boyle said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
