This week, Colorado basketball coach Tad Boyle put his team through a scrimmage in which none of the baskets counted unless they occurred via an assist.
The idea was to make sure the ball keeps moving offensively, because when it does Boyle maintains his team can be a fun one to watch. That theory proved accurate Thursday night, as the Buffaloes shared the ball beautifully while pulling away for a 91-72 victory in a Pac-12 Conference battle against Stanford.
CU recorded a season-high 25 assists on 35 field goals, tallying assists on each of the first seven baskets of the second half in a dominant surge that blew the game open for the Buffs. CU finished with 16 assists on 19 field goals in the second half.
“That drill forces you to look for your teammates, because if you don’t you don’t score your points,” CU senior guard Derrick White said. “It was a good drill for us and something we need to continue on.”
Boxscore:
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Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Colorado's Derrick White passes off as he drives to the basket in front of Stanford's Robert Cartwright during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Stanford's Christian Sanders drives on Colorado's George King during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Colorado's George King shoots over Stanford's Marcus Allen during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Stanford's Robert Cartwright, left, drives on Colorado's George King and Xavier Johnson during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Stanford's Reid Travis, left, rebounds over Colorado's Wesley Gordon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Boulder, Colo., Thursday, March 2, 2017.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Stanford's Robert Cartwright drives on Colorado's Deleon Brown during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Colorado's Thomas Akyazili, center, drives past Stanford's Robert Cartwright (2) and Trevor Stanback during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Boulder, Colo., Thursday, March 2, 2017.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Stanford's Reid Travis, right, shoots past Colorado's George King during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
Colorado's Tory Miller tries to shoot over Stanford's Josh Sharma during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
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Stanford's Michael Humphrey blocks the shot of Colorado's Josh Fortune during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
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Colorado head basketball coach, Tad Boyle, shouts encouragement during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Stanford Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
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Stanford head basketball coach, Jerod Haase, talks to his team at a time out during the first half of during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Stanford Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
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Colorado's Tory Miller, guards Stanford's Marcus Sheffield during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera
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Colorado's Derrick White passes off as he drives to the basket in front of Stanford's Robert Cartwright during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Boulder, Colo.