While Colorado men’s basketball’s 2023-24 season has certainly been filled with disappointment, those frustrations don’t compare to what USC has gone through this year.
Originally picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason media moll, the Trojans (10-15, 4-10 Pac-12) are currently in 11th with only six regular season games remaining. The first of those final six will come against Colorado (16-9, 7-7) at the Galen Center on Saturday night.
Head coach Tad Boyle’s Buffs have lost their past two games, including a 64-60 defeat at UCLA on Thursday, while USC beat Utah that same evening.
Colorado’s last matchup against USC resulted in a 68-58 win on Jan. 13. J’Vonne Hadley led the Buffs with 15 points, Cody Williams had 13 and USC star Bronny James, who was making his first collegiate start, went 0-for-7 from the field.
Entering this rematch, however, CU’s focus should remain on keeping Boogie Ellis quiet offensively and DJ Rodman off the boards.
Following Thursday’s loss to the Bruins, Colorado’s NCAA Tournament chances are as slim as ever. The Buffs now sit No. 42 in the NET Rankings while USC is No. 105.
ESPN will broadcast Saturday’s 8 p.m. MT tipoff between the Buffs and Trojans.
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