Washington vs Colorado Hoops Preview

Washington Huskies (8-5) vs Colorado Buffaloes (9-4)
Thursday January 5
Coors Events Center
9:00PM
Moneyline: none currently listed
Spread: Washington -2.5
O/U: 145

Washington

The Washington Huskies have been an early season enigma but they took care of business to start their PAC 12 conference schedule by beating both Oregon squads last weekend. This week it is a road trip to visit Colorado and Utah so another couple of wins are expected. I have thought all season long that this is the most talented team in the conference. Maybe something has clicked now that the opponents are more familiar. They need every win they can get because of those early struggles.

In the two early conference victories the offense was humming. Against Oregon state they scored 95 points with 6 players scoring in double figures. Freshman guard Tony Wroten was super again with scoring 26 and 17 points but what has happened to fellow wing Terrence Ross. He hasn`t scored more than 12 points in any of the last four games. He is supposed to be the star but after a great start he has faded as Wroten has become more comfortable assertive. On this club there are more than enough shot attempts to go around and he needs to play well for them to be elite.

Colorado

Last year`s Buffs squad had some elite talent but it is all gone. This year is their first in the PAC 12 and they are considered a middle tier team but with the way the league has showed so far who knows what that means. Colorado had the luxury of tipping off their new conference schedule against fellow new member, the lowly Utah Utes. The result: An embarrassing 73-33 victory. Their first PAC 12 home game against Washington will be significantly more challenging to say the least.

To beat Washington you have to put points on the board. The Buffs are a decent scoring team but they have built their record to date by playing good defense giving up just 61ppg. Colorado`s leading scorer is Carlon Brown who averages just 12ppg and ironically enough started his career at Utah. He is one of 4 Colorado players averaging 10 or more points. Included among them is super athletic wing forward Andre Roberson. Only 6`7`he is averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds per game. If Washington sets a fast pace he should excel.

Spread Pick: Washington -2.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Washington 82 - Colorado 69