Kansas vs Colorado Basketball Recap

Kansas 72, Colorado 66 (OT)

There are certain mysteries in life that defy reasonable explanation, but for Kansas coach Bill Self, mysteries are tolerable as long as they don't lead to defeats.

On Wednesday night in Boulder, Colo., one of college basketball's proudest programs was once again taken to the wire by one of its annual doormats. Yet, in the end, the No. 1 team in the United States lived to tell about its great escape from the Rocky Mountains.

It's baffling yet plain for all to see: In recent times, the Colorado Buffaloes - bereft of any sustained basketball tradition - manage to make the Kansas Jayhawks sweat bullets. In 2009, CU went to Lawrence, Kan., and lost by only five points (66-61) at venerable Phog Allen Fieldhouse. In 2008, the eventual national champions led Colorado by only five points (55-50) with under eight minutes left in regulation in Boulder. These programs stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in college basketball, but the boys from Boulder manage to leave KU "Buffaloed" often enough to make other observers take notice.

Little changed in this equation during a Big 12 barn-burner at the Coors Events Center.

What was amazing about this particular KU-CU slugfest is that the Buffaloes got whipped in the early going. Kansas imposed its athleticism on Colorado, particularly on the wings and in the backcourt. A combination of Jayhawk steals and bad shots from the Buffaloes enabled KU to amass a 24-8 lead with 9:22 left in the first half. Few people inside the building could have imagined just how contentious this contest would become.

Right after KU sprinted to that early advantage; Colorado ramped up its defensive intensity and kept competing at that same elevated level for the rest of regulation time. Having scored 24 points in just over one half of the first half, the Jayhawks tallied only 10 points in the final 9:22 of the first stanza, and never really regained their offensive footing. With CU being lights-out on its defensive rotations and always having a big man ready to stop dribble penetration in the middle of the lane, Kansas flatly flinched at the offensive end of the floor. KU ballhandlers, including All-America standout Sherron Collins, threw up off-balance floaters and other low-percentage shots in the face of well-positioned Buffaloes who defended the paint with passion. KU simply didn't adjust to Colorado's defensive positioning, and as a result, the Jayhawks hit only one field goal in the final 5:11 of regulation time. CU wasn't able to deliver a knockout blow, but the Buffs were able to take mighty Kansas into overtime, with the score deadlocked at 60-all after 40 minutes of basketball.

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It was only then that KU managed to assert its superiority. With Jayhawk forward Marcus Morris ripping down seven of his eight rebounds in the extra period, Kansas feasted on the glass against an opponent that had 40 minutes in its track shoes, but looked winded in minutes 41 through 45. When Morris followed three offensive rebounds with a putback at the 2:38 mark, KU had scored the first seven points of the extra period to take complete command at Coors.

Colorado once again struck fear into the hearts of Jayhawks, but by rallying just in time, Kansas was able to hold on to its No. 1 ranking... at least for now.

By: Matt Zemek
Big 12 Fans Senior Staff Writer