LAS VEGAS — A spot at the top of an
Yet, they are going out of their way to remove any conceivable doubt.
A 63-43 burial of
The Buffaloes put up a better fight than
The Wildcats (30-3), as is their habit, put the Buffaloes through a TSA-like screening process. Colorado players were smothered and shot 29.4%
Offensively, Arizona methodically wore Colorado into submission. The Wildcats led, 31-28, with 17 minutes left. A 24-6 run over the next 10 minutes removed any doubt about who would play in Saturday's title game.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored all 12 of his points during that stretch.
Nick Johnson had 16 points to lead the Wildcats, who had a 41-25 rebounding edge.
The loss left Colorado (23-11) dangling. The Buffaloes were ranked as high as 15th before leading scorer Spencer Dinwiddie suffered a knee injury. They have a 9-8 record since he was lost for the season.
A victory over Arizona probably would have locked up an NCAA at-large spot for the Buffaloes. Instead, they will wait.
The Wildcats also had a key injury. They lost forward Brandon Ashley, their third-leading scorer, last month.
But Arizona has given the selection committee scant cause to use the injury in its deliberations. The Wildcats have won eight of 11 games since Ashley was hurt.
Twitter: @cfosterlatimes
