Buffs looking to bounce back against Missouri
Following a disappointing home loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday, the Colorado Buffaloes still have the chance to finish the remaining five games of the season with a couple more tallies in the win column.
The Buffs are looking to improve their effort on defense and come away with a win on the road Saturday against the Missouri Tigers, who barely edged past the Buffs 66-62 earlier in the season.
Junior forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson, who was battling a sinus infection during Wednesday’s game, said the Buffs’ poor performance against the Red Raiders did not convince him that the season is over for the Buffs.
“It didn’t shake my beliefs,” Jackson-Wilson said. “Every game we step in between those lines, I believe we can win. If any of my teammates seem like they look rattled, send them to me because I believe we can win. If they don’t believe we can win they shouldn’t even go out there.”
Following Wednesday’s loss, first-year head coach Jeff Bzdelik said he was embarrassed by the Buffs’ performance, particularly on the defensive end.
“Defensively, we were absolutely atrocious,” Bzdelik said. “Defense is nothing but effort, a will and a want to.”
The frustrated head coach added that he knew this year would be a learning experience, and the Buffs’ problems are “correctable.”
“I’m going to keep on coaching more than I ever will,” Bzdelik said. “You know, there is a reason this job was open.”
Senior guard Richard Roby said that he and his fellow seniors know how to bounce back from a tough loss and are looking forward to Saturday’s game against the Tigers.
As for the rest of the season, the Buffs (10-15, 2-9) still believe their record does not reflect the type of team they are and they can finish the season on a high note.
“It’s very important that we finish strong,” Jackson-Wilson said.
Jackson-Wilson also said he still believes the Buffs can win the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.
“Anything can happen at the end of the year,” Jackson-Wilson said. “Especially in March, you see unexpected things happen all the time.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brad Cochi at Bradley.Cochi@thecampuspress.com
