Remember when Gary Barnett used to blame players for losing, conveniently forgetting his role in the result?Well, to his credit, the former football coach reformed himself in his last season.
Basketball coach Ricardo Patton apparently wasn't paying attention to that metamorphosis.
In a B.G. Brooks' story in the Rocky Mountain News on the generous shooting percentage Colorado is allowing opponents (46.5 percent), Patton makes an excuse which could leave many shaking their heads.
"We've got eight guys (freshmen) who, at this time last year, probably didn't have to play defense the way you've got to play it at this level," he said.
Members of the jury, yes, while it is accurate to say that the Buffaloes are indeed young and full of defensive indiscretion, isn't it also true, and more true to say that CU, even when stacked with upperclassmen on its' roster, has never been known as a lock-down group when the other team has the ball in its' possession?
Maybe Patton believes that excuse will wash because of the plethora of freshmen he is coaching but if that is the case then what about past seasons and the lack of top-level defense?
(chirp, chirp)
Critical?
Can't tell a lie so I'd have to say "yes."
But to consistently shift blame away from oneself and on to others, well, not right. Patton is a magician, just not accomplished at it, trying to divert eyes from the trick unfolding. The Buffs are not playing great defense because they have rarely played it. They have won with top offensive players more than anything.
Defense begins with intellectual commitment, then flows to the emotional and ends up manifesting itself through physical effort.
CU has not lacked the necessary athletes under Patton, notice the compliment, to be a hard game's work for opponents.
What has been missing is the direction from a conductor who won't accept less than protecting the basket.
Notes...Colorado recruit Ryan Miller, an offensive lineman from Columbine, has been named a first-team USA Today All-American. Fort Collins' kicker Phil Welch, an excellent candidate to become the next big man on campus as a kicker, replacing legendary Mason Crosby, was a second-team honoree.
More Notes...Three members of the Big 12 hit the field today for bowl games. Oklahoma State plays Alabama in the Independence, Kansas State takes on Rutgers in the Texas Bowl and Texas A & M meets California in the Holiday.
The Cowboys should have a great opportunity to beat the Crimson Tide, which is playing under an interim coach because no one wants to replace the fired Mike Shula. The Wildcats have the ability to beat the Scarlet Knights but it will take maturity and execution from Ron Prince's young team to do it. It says here they just might be capable. The Aggies, meanwhile, are in big trouble in taking on Jeff Tedford's Bears. They are not ideally suited to playing against fastbreak offenses and those with the speed Cal has at its' disposal. Yes, Texas went down but that was a fluke. Lose this game and Texas A & M coach Dennis Franchione is going to be taking a few more steps out on the plank; closer to losing that job.
Last Word...Two interviews have been conducted this week. One more to gather and I'll bring you something fresh for digesting.
Publications are ever evolving and this one is no different. In an effort to make this space better, I am constantly thinking of new product and brand awareness. Thanks for your patience, understanding and visiting this site. The new name of this blog is The Black and Gold Truth, and the address has changed to blackandgoldtruth.blogspot.com.
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