LAS VEGAS — The blueprint was familiar. And, unfortunately for the Colorado Buffaloes, so was the result.
CU’s battle against No. 7-ranked Arizona on Thursday in the Pac-12 Conference quarterfinals bore a similar script as the teams’ regular season battle in January, with the Buffs simply falling into too deep a hole against a team that can reel off game-changing runs in the blink of an eye.
The result was a 92-78 defeat for the Buffs that may or may not end CU’s season. Well out of NCAA Tournament consideration, the Buffs will have to wait until Sunday evening to learn if their season will continue in the NIT.
It was the second year in a row and fourth time in five seasons the Wildcats have eliminated CU from the Pac-12 tournament.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of when you lose to a team like Arizona. They’re a legitimate top-10 team in the country,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “I think they showed it tonight. I thought our guys really competed, especially that first half. The second half the game got away from us a little bit.”
Boxscore:
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John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Chance Comanche (21) shoots around Colorado's Tory Miller (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Lauri Markkanen, center, struggles for the ball with Colorado's Josh Fortune, left, and Deleon Brown during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Kadeem Allen (5) blocks a shot by Colorado's Josh Fortune (44) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona's Keanu Pinder is on the right.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Chance Comanche (21) dunks in front of Colorado's George King during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Dusan Ristic shoots over Colorado's Lucas Siewert during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Kadeem Allen, left, and Keanu Pinder celebrate after a play against Colorado during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Arizona's Dusan Ristic, center, shoots between Colorado's Xavier Johnson, left, and Wesley Gordon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
Colorado's Lucas Siewert, right, grabs a rebound next to Arizona's Chance Comanche during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
John Locher, The Associated Press
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Arizona's Chance Comanche (21) shoots around Colorado's Tory Miller (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
