CU Buffs’ March Madness run cut short by Marquette

Tad Boyle and the Buffs have plenty to be proud of

Head coach Tad Boyle’s Colorado Buffaloes should keep their heads held high as they return to Boulder from Indianapolis.

Yes, Sunday’s 81-77 second-round loss to Marquette in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament certainly stung, but few CU teams have accomplished as much as this year’s team did. Colorado won a school-record 26 games, including two March Madness thrillers, and ultimately made the selection committee’s decision to give the Buffs a No. 10 seed look silly.

After beating Florida in Friday’s high-scoring round of 64 affair, Colorado’s offense stayed hot against the second-seeded Golden Eagles, especially in the second half. The Buffs, led by their big three in KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams, rallied from down 11 at the break to tie Marquette early in the second period.

Unfortunately for the Buffs, Marquette’s relentless offense proved too difficult to slow down the stretch. The Golden Eagles shot 61.8% from the field, led by Tyler Kolek’s 21 points.

Simpson guided the Buffs with 20, da Silva followed with 17 and Williams poured in 12. All three also likely boosted their respective NBA draft stocks.

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