NORMAN, Okla. — Less than a week ago, the Colorado Buffaloes were basking in a 3-0 start to Big 12 play.
Tuesday night’s home game against Kansas was supposed to be a chance for Colorado to make it back into the top 25 for the first time in nearly five years.
Before back-to-back losses on the road — the most recent being Saturday’s 67-60 loss to Oklahoma — it was just the right time for No. 2 Kansas to come to Boulder.
It still might be.
“It’s always a good time to catch Kansas,” guard Alec Burks said. “They are one of the best teams in the country.”
Colorado’s offense has struggled in its last two games. After averaging 79.3 points per game in its three conference victories, Colorado (14-6 overall, 3-2 Big 12) has averaged only 63.5 points in its last two outings.
“We don’t have the luxury of three or four guys not playing to their potential,” CU coach Tad Boyle said. “Some teams have that luxury. Colorado’s not one of them. For us to be good, we have to have most of our guys, not all of our guys, but most of our guys play to their potential and play the way they are capable of playing.
“When we don’t, we’re not good enough, we’re not talented enough to overcome that.”
When Colorado lost at Nebraska, senior guard Cory Higgins scored only eight points.
Against Oklahoma, Burks scored 15 points — five less than his season average — and reserve guard Levi Knutson scored only seven, all in the second half.
Colorado kept up with Oklahoma but was never able to regain the lead in the second half. Down by as many as 11 points, the Buffaloes came back to tie the game with 3:34 left. Three turnovers and three missed shots in the following two minutes put Colorado right back where it had been — behind.
Boyle said after Saturday’s loss that practices have been good. They just haven’t translated to wins.
“The frustrating thing is when you practice one way and you come out and play another way offensively,” Boyle said.
Now, No. 2 Kansas — which Saturday suffered its first loss of the season, 74-63 at home to No. 10 Texas — comes to Boulder.
“Now that this one is behind us, we have KU,” Boyle said. “It’s a great opportunity for our guys.”
It’s just a different opportunity.
Colorado will have a chance to prove something Tuesday. It won’t be whether the Buffaloes are the best team in the Big 12. It’ll be to prove whether they are the same old Colorado Buffaloes.
“It’s going to be a big game regardless,” Higgins said. “Now, it’s an even bigger game.”
