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New Year’s Resolutions: Colorado Buffaloes

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Over the course of the holiday week, we at College Basketball Talk will be detailing what we believe will be the New Year’s Resolutions of some of the nation’s most talented, most disappointing, and thoroughly enigmatic teams. What can we say, we’re in a giving mood.

Who else made Resolutions? Click here to find out.

WHAT DOES COLORADO PROMISE TO DO MORE OF?: Become more efficient on the offensive end of the floor.



    • Why it will happen:

Why will a team that approaches the new year ranked 9th in the Pac-12 become more efficient when league play begins? They have the talent to do so, that’s why. And when it comes to improving in that area, the presence of sophomore forward Josh Scott is one reason why. Scott’s shooting 54.5% from the field this season, and when fouled he’s taken advantage at the charity stripe as well (81.1%). Getting the ball inside to Scott on a consistent basis will open things up on the perimeter, thus making the Buffaloes an even tougher team to defend.



    • Why it won’t happen:

Of Colorado’s top four guards in minutes played just one (Spencer Dinwiddie) is currently shooting better than 45% from the field, with the team’s leader in shot attempts (Askia Booker) shooting 39.9% from the field. Colorado’s two best offensive players are their starting guards, but efficiency is a concern at times especially when it comes to Booker. He posted his second-best offensive rating of the season in CU’s loss to No. 7 Oklahoma State, and Booker will need to continue on that path in league play.

WHAT DOES COLORADO SWEAR THEY WILL DO LESS OF?: Shoot three-pointers.



    • Why it will happen:

Colorado currently ranks third in the Pac-12 in three-point attempts (222), but they’re ninth in the conference in three-point percentage. For a team that has been one of the nation’s best when it comes to getting to the foul line, it may be time to cut down on the perimeter shots and take advantage of the charity stripe. With Scott being a much-improved force inside and the ability of their perimeter players to get into the paint, the Buffaloes may be able to cut down on the number of shots they attempt from deep.



    • Why it won’t happen:

Even with the low percentage Colorado has players capable of knocking down three-pointers. But it hasn’t clicked yet, with Dinwiddie being the lone Buffalo shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc when considering players who have a double-digit number of attempts. Freshman Jaron Hopkins, who’s made eight three-pointers, would be next in line percentage-wise at 38.1%. It’s easy to say that Colorado should make better use of the mid-range game, but the fact of the matter is that according to hoop-math.com just 21.8% of the Buffs’ field goal attempts this season have been two-point jumpers.

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