Buffs have learned well, fall to CSU

Colorado does not lose to Colorado State.

Especially in Boulder.

The lost season continues as the Buffs fall to yet another school they would normally bounce, going down to the Rams 72-69.

Some can't stand the idea of questioning coach Ricardo Patton, somehow equating such an action with being Judas. Yet, who's watch is this developing debacle occurring?

CSU dominated with 7-footer Jason Smith, a talented offensive big man but soft as Puffs as a physical presence. Smith looked like Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic with 15 points and 16 rebounds against intramural-sized CU.

The Buffs just didn't play well, allowing the Rams to shoot 48 percent from the floor while struggling themselves from the field, looking like some carnival patron playing a rigged game. Close but hopeless (35 percent). CU stayed in the game only courtesy of CSU turnovers (32).

Richard Roby didn't shoot well (5 of 15) but did score 20 points. Freshman point guard Kal Bay continues to impress with his perimeter shooting, finding the range on a trio of three-pointers to finish with 11 points and forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson gets into double digits with 10.

CU is off to its' worst start (3-6) since 1987-88 and is now 1-4 against Mountain West teams. What is going to happen come Big 12 play?

This season is quickly looking like the football team's in that whatever confidence the team has must be quickly eroding. As the saying goes, "you learn how to win and you learn how to lose." Right now, the Buffs have learned how to lose and seem to becoming very good at it.

Some media and a former player have shared that they see 10 victories this season as a reach.

One hopes that the players do not become overly discouraged and decide they will derive something positive and meaningful out of this experience, something powerful the returning talent can use for next year to draw upon during brighter days.

Notes...Anyone notice Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin scoring 21 and dishing out five assists Saturday against no. 13 Washington? Maybe Bouldin signing with the Buffs cost the school Xavier Silas, a fine prospect, but maybe not. He is playing with confidence for a team playing for the NCAA tournament, having real competition to get minutes at all. From watching just brief clips of him, he doesn't seem to be lacking athleticism at all, a knock I have heard in the past.

Seeing Bouldin accomplishing what he is at a program like Gonzaga, as a freshman, well, what do you think? Of course, coaching could also have something to do with his development.

Forecast...a guest column on the current state of affairs with the basketball program will be posted Sunday in this space.


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