Colorado opens Pac-12 play vs. Washington

Tip off between the Buffs and Huskies is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado (9-2) begins Pac-12 conference play tonight as they take on the Washington Huskies (8-3). It sets up to be a great matchup for both teams with the Huskies on a hot streak. An impressive four-straight wins for Mike Hopkins’ team, including a takedown of 7th-ranked Gonzaga. The Huskies first against a Top 25 team since 2019 when they beat Baylor. Their last loss came against the 20th-ranked Colorado State Rams on December 2. Meanwhile, the Buffs are also on a four-game winning streak with a blowout win over No. 16 Miami. They’re last defeat also came at the hand of the Rams in Fort Collins on November 29.

Tip off between the Buffs and Huskies is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

KNOCK OFF THE RUST

Both Washington and CU will look to knock off the rust from the holiday break as both teams return to action for the first time in eight days. These games right after break are always about the team that can find that rhythm and chemistry the quickest. For Washington, they love to play inside the arc and are not a good three-point shooting team. They’re shooting 34 percent on the season from deep. The Huskies will want to keep this game in the paint, with size underneath and will look to make it difficult for CU’s bigs. The Buffs must force the Huskies guards to make mistakes. Both Sahvir Wheeler and Paul Mulcahy are two of the best passers in the Pac-12. Wheeler is the best with 7.1 assists per game and Mulcahy is fourth with an average of 5.1. Wheeler’s ranked as the fifth-best ball distributor in the nation. CU has already faced one great point guard in CSU’s Isiah Stevens now they will face two on the same team.

Colorado will need to be dangerous from long range, if they can stretch the floor that could be what wins this game. The Buffs are ranked seventh in the nation from deep shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc. Tad Boyle’s team comes in as the best shooting team in the nation, averaging 52.6 percent from the floor, which makes things even more difficult for Washington. Look for CU to use their height advantage when matched up against Wheeler, who’s undersized at 5’9”. The Buffaloes guards can elect to shoot over the top of him or post up. CU will need to win the rebound game and limit second-chance scoring opportunities. They’ve outrebounded every opponent this season and the Huskies are not lazy when it comes to rebounding, snagging an average of 39.1 per game (3rd, Pac-12).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Washington’s Kevin Brooks Jr. ranks in the top 5 in the Pac-12 in both rebounds and points. Last year, Brooks led the conference in scoring and he’s doing it once again this season, averaging 20.1 points per game. He’s also fourth in rebounds with an average of 7.6 per contest.

Sahvir Wheeler, who’s a transfer from Kentucky, is the active assists leader in DI with 727. Wheeler tied his career-high against Seattle with 14 assists. One could make an argument that he might be the best quarterback at Washington now with the way he dishes out passes, (Many apologies to Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr.). Wheeler can also score as he’s second for the Huskies, averaging 15.6 points per game.

Colorado’s KJ Simpson comes in as the second-leading scorer in the Pac-12, averaging 19.9 points per game. He is shooting over 66 percent from the field in his last six games. Simpson is a player that can score from anywhere on the floor for the Buffs.

J’Vonne Hadley could also have a big game on the defensive side of the ball for CU. All the recognition usually goes to KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva, and Freshman star Cody Williams when it comes to scoring, but Hadley has been the model of what a solid defender is for the Buffs. On the season he has 17 steals and is also one of the better rebounders for the Buffs. Look for him to be matched up with Mulcahy or even get some time on Brooks in the game. Hadley loves the challenge of slowing down the opposition's top players.

Colorado looks to show that they are a team that can make a run this year for the NCAA Tournament. With how they have played this season, they’ve shown that this looks to be the case. The Buffs now get their first taste of conference play and a win against the Huskies would be a great start and an even better way to close the 2023 calendar year.