Colorado and Stanford will look to focus on the little details in the first game of the Hall of Fame Series doubleheader in Phoenix on Saturday.
The Cardinal (9-2) have won two straight games — 86-82 over San Jose State last Saturday and 76-60 over Texas-Arlington on Wednesday — without leading scorer Ebuka Okorie (21 points per game), who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
While they got the victory in both games, Stanford coach Kyle Smith also was pleased the Cardinal won the rebounding battle in the latter game against the Mavericks (32-23).
Stanford used a collective effort on the glass, and Smith singled out AJ Rohosy, who pulled down seven boards. He also credited Chisom Okpara, Oskar Giltay and Ryan Agarwal as being key contributors who limit second-chance points on defense and give the Cardinal a second look on offense.
“We are a really good rebounding team,” Smith said. “We were worried about that with losing Maxime (Raynaud, to the NBA) from last year’s team. It’s a credit to our guys to really improve in that area.”
The Buffaloes (10-1) knocked off Portland State 84-73 on Wednesday. Colorado trailed throughout most of the first half, but led 37-35 at halftime and shook off a feisty Vikings’ squad in the second half.
Bench play has been the Buffaloes’ strong suit throughout the season with Isaiah Johnson (15.2 points per game) leading the way. The freshman phenom scored 20 points in a reserve role and powered a late, 11-2 run to help Colorado pull away.
To Bangot Dak, who had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, the little things are very big for the Buffaloes. While Colorado forced 14 turnovers, they also gave away 12 possessions.
“We have to focus on getting better first off,” Dak said. “We have to buy in defensively. Once we get all five guys to do that we are going to see a bigger jump in this team. Until then we will have these struggle games where we have to grind it out. But we are coming along and I feel like we are going to figure it out.”
