There will be plenty of blue and red threads being worn inside a sold-out Coors Events Center today.
But thankfully for Buffs supporters, no “Rock-Chalk Jayhawk” chants.
“I don’t think anybody will infiltrate the Events Center like the Kansas fans did,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said.
With UCLA not visiting Boulder this season in the unbalanced Pac-12 schedule, Arizona is the marquee program on the home slate.
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The Wildcats haven’t played in Boulder since Dec. 3, 1973. In the past 27 seasons, Arizona has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 26 times, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight last March.
“They’re known for doing well in the past, especially last year with Derrick Williams. I feel like it’s going to be a good test for us,” CU’s André Roberson said. “It’s definitely a big game. I feel like we have to get this win and get back to the top of the conference.”
The Buffs (12-6, 4-2 Pac-12) and Wildcats (13-6, 4-2) are currently tied with Washington (11-7, 4-2) for fourth in the Pac-12.
CU’s 69-54 victory over Arizona State on Thursday was a tasty appetizer. Arizona defeated Utah 77-51 on Thursday.
“In many ways, it’s a lot like playing ourselves,” Boyle said. “It’s going to be an interesting game.”
The Buffs are averaging 70.1 points a game and allow 62.2 points (plus-7.9). The Wildcats are scoring 69.6 points and giving up 61.8 points (plus-7.7).
CU is first in the conference in field-goal percentage defense (.395); Arizona ranks third (.402).
Both teams shoot better than 70 percent from the free-throw line; both shoot over 37.6 percent from the 3-point line; and the teams rank first (Arizona, .270) and third (CU, .331) in defending the arc.
Arizona is 3-2 on the road this season and 1-2 on neutral courts. The Wildcats’ starting five all average between 7.1 and 11.7 points per game. Forwards Jesse Perry (6-foot-7) and Solomon Hill (6-6) average a combined 23.2 points and 15.2 rebounds.
Roberson (11.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg) leads the Pac-12 in rebounding and is the only player averaging a double-double in conference games.
Could this could be the opponent that sells out the Coors Events Center every season like KU used to in the Big 12?
“With the way Arizona has recruited, which is off the charts, they’re kind of setting the bar for the rest of the league,” Boyle said. “So I know they’re going to be good for years to come, and we want to be right there with them.”
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