The team I most wanted to play in the first round of the Big 12 tournament, and the game is finally here. CU has two very good players and Boyle has done a nice job, but given how K-State has played throughout February, this is simply a game we should win. Looking at the numbers, there really is no area where I can give CU an advantage, though K-State isn't really dominant in any category either.
When you look at the 2 games this year, I agree with what Underwood said on 810, you pretty much can throw out the only loss in the OOD of the season. This is simply a much different team, and I do not expect to see a performance that resembles that game.
However, in the 2nd game we outplayed CU in many phases but we had Pullen's worst offensive game in Big 12 play. Its no surprise it was also the team's worst shooting night and 2nd worst offensive efficiency game of the Big 12 season. Only CU's advantage in eFG% allowed them to win that game, and even then, only by a finger tip in Boulder.
I expect the Cats to win this game, likely pulling away late. CU's talent will keep them in it, but after a hard fought win today, I don't think they can compete with K-State for 40 minutes if we play like we have lately. CU just doesn't play good enough defense and we have too big of an advantage on the boards to let this one get away. Plus I'm not expecting a repeat of the shooting we saw in the first two CU games, 2 of our 3 worst shooting nights in Big 12 play.
Cats 82 - Buffs 73
