When my now 17 year-old son was a wee little lad, we dealt with the trials and tribulations of potty training just like every other exasperated parent. For weeks nothing worked, until one day a stroke of genius fired in the cranium — the pooping shark.
Knowing our son was obsessed with a book about the meat-eating sea killers, we purchased a soft rubber-coated Great White at the local toy store. When introduced to it, he naturally went nuts. But there was a catch. He had to do his business properly. It took two weeks. Achievement unlocked. And a little boy, in the greatest way possible, lost his damn mind.
With conference tournaments among high-major teams about to get underway, a number of notable schools are vying for not No. 2 — but No. 1.
Pac-12 Tournament pick: Colorado Buffaloes (+500, DraftKings)
Taking the stage in Las Vegas is a century-old conference that, in its illustrious history, has acquired 16 total national titles in men’s basketball.
The Conference of Champions.
Pour one out (or pack the bowl) for Bill Walton.
In the league’s last basketball bow, the ballers from Boulder, who could use a win or two to solidify their at-large NCAA Tournament standing, could be the answer to bar trivia questions for years to come.
Yes, Arizona is the heavy favorite, but for those value seekers in attendance, CU is worth debating.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans’ NCAA Tournament projections ]
On offense, the Buffs stampede with considerable ferocity. Over their last 10 contests, they rank No. 21 nationally in effective field-goal percentage defense, netting 54.0% inside the arc and a ballistic 40.7% outside of it.
KJ Simpson (45.1 3PT%), Tristan da Silva (37.5%), Luke O’Brien (39.7%) and potential No. 1 overall NBA pick Cody Williams (45.7%) need to be wringed out repeatedly. And, as one of the gnarliest offenses out West, Colorado is terrific at generating second chances and converting freebies.
On the defensive end, a different picture unfolds. Since Feb. 1, the Buffaloes slot No. 196 in eFG defense, surrendering a homely 54.0% from two. Teams with formidable frontcourts have often caused CU problems.
Colorado has one Pac-12 Tournament championship plaque to its name (2012). For it to add another to the trophy case and eliminate any dancing doubts, the Buffs must continue to drain triples, play more disciplined (No. 268 in TO% offense) and ramp up defensively around the rim. A No. 3 seed winning the Pac-12’s automatic berth is not some pipe dream.