KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Colorado players and coaches acknowledged they are in for a long day and a half before the 4 p.m. “Selection Sunday” announcement to find out whether CU will show up in the 68-team NCAA Tournament bracket.
“We need some rest, obviously,” CU coach Tad Boyle said after a 90-83 loss to Kansas in the Big 12 semifinals. “And you never know until your name pops up there. We’re not going to put the cart in front of the horse. We’re going to certainly hope and keep our fingers crossed. But a lot of things are still out of our control. . . . And if (Colorado is not selected), we’ll be extremely disappointed.”
Colorado (21-13, 8-8 Big 12 regular season) departed Kansas City with two Big 12 Tournament victories in three starts, and likely gained a lot more respect nationally. Most analysts who study the bracket believe the Buffs will be selected.
“We feel good leaving here knowing we’re going to be in some type of postseason,” senior guard Cory Higgins said.
Higgins struggles.
Coming off one of his best games of the season, Higgins just didn’t have it Friday night. He went 1-for-11 from the field and finished with six points — a season low. It marked only the fourth time this season he failed to reach double figures.
“I thought Kansas did a great job on Cory,” Boyle said.
Scary Burks fall.
With CU sophomore Alec Burks being a Kansas City native, the entire sea of spectators, not just Buff fans, held their collective breath when the 6-foot-6 guard took a nasty fall with 13:48 remaining.
Burks got tangled up with a couple of KU players, including guard Elijah Johnson, who was called for a foul. Burks remained on the floor a minute or so before getting up.
“I had both my feet in the air, and I fell on my back,” Burks said. “I’m good now.”
