BOULDER — The Ducks are grounded.
Oregon, scheduled to face the Buffs at 7 p.m. today at the Coors Events Center, stayed in Salt Lake City on Friday night due to the snowstorm and will fly to Colorado this morning.
So far this season, traveling has not been a problem for Dana Altman’s team. Oregon improved to 4-1 in Pac-12 road games with Thursday’s 79-68 victory at Utah.
The other 11 teams are a combined 13-42 in conference road games.
“We’ve had some good road performances,” Altman told The Eugene Register-Guard. “This team doesn’t seem to get overly excited at home, doesn’t seem to get too tight on the road. … Going on the road has not hurt this team in the past.”
Now the Ducks (16-6, 7-3) will try to overcome a long day as well as Colorado’s perfect Pac-12 record at home (6-0). This is a matchup of teams currently tied with Cal (17-6, 7-3) for second place in the conference behind Washington (15-7, 8-2).
“Four road (wins), they’re a mentally tough team. They’re a well-coached team. They know what they do,” CU coach Tad Boyle said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. We’re going to have to make plays and be aggressive.”
The Buffs (15-7, 7-3) forcefully attacked Oregon State’s 1-3-1 zone Thursday night and shot 51.8 percent from the field in an impressive 82-60 win.
André Roberson had 16 points, 15 rebounds, two blocked shots, two steals and an assist to lead the way.
“The one thing (Roberson) always does is rebound the ball, and that’s a nice constant to have,” Boyle said. “I wish I could take credit for coaching his rebounding, but he just does it.”
CU had five players score in double figures and outrebounded Oregon State 43-31.
The program is an amazing 30-3 (.909) in Boulder on Boyle’s watch. That includes nine consecutive conference home wins dating to a 58-56 win over Kansas State in Big 12 play on Feb. 12, 2011.
“That was one of our goals to start out the season,” Roberson said of establishing a dominant home-court advantage. “We all got together and made a goal sheet, and going unbeaten in conference play (at home) was a very common goal.”
Oregon is led by senior guard Devoe Joseph (15.7 ppg, 2.8 apg) and junior forward E.J. Singler (13.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg). The Ducks shot 49.1 percent from the field, made 15-of-17 free throws and had 17 assists, seven steals and four blocks against the Utes.
