:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57702329/usa_today_9731525.0.jpg)
A potential opportunity to play into December is on the line in Salt Lake City, another tough November for a Buffs linebacker and the Buffs men’s basketball team remains perfect in capturing the Paradise Jam title.
Hope you have a big appetite because there’s plenty on the plate in this Thanksgiving edition of Buff Bites.
BOWL ELIGIBILITY ON THE LINE
A potential bowl bid is on the line in Salt Lake City when the Colorado Buffaloes (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12) take on Utah (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12) Saturday. The Buffs are 10 ½ point underdogs against the Utes. Since Colorado began playing in the Pac-12 conference in 2011, all six games against Utah have been decided by seven points or less, with the Buffs winning two of those contests.
TAKE ME DOWN TO THE PARADISE CITY…
Behind tournament MVP McKinley Wright and George King’s 25 points, the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team upset Mercer 79-70 (yes, the Bears were 2 ½ point favorites) Sunday to capture the Paradise Jam Championship. Tad Boyle and company’s 5-0 start is the best since 2012 - when they began the season 6-0 - and some former Buffs are taking notice.
My @CUBuffsMBB are ballin..Congrats on winning the paradise tourney championship..#keeprockin
— Chauncey Billups (@1MrBigShot) November 20, 2017
S/O to @CUBuffsMBB winning the Paradise championship! Just the start
— Derrick White (@Dwhite921) November 20, 2017
Next up for the Buffs are a pair of Centennial State foes, vs. Air Force (Sunday, November 26) and at Colorado State (Saturday, December 2). The best start for a CU Men’s basketball team is 14-0 during the 1941-’42 season.
EMMA COBURN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS HONOR
Former Buff track & field star Emma Coburn has been named the 2017 USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee Award Winner, which honors the top female USATF athlete of the year. Coburn made history earlier this year becoming the first American ever to win a world title in the steeplechase.
TWO BUFFS SOCCER STARS ADDED TO USWNT UNDER-20 ROSTER
Midfielder Taylor Kornieck and centerback Hannah Cardenas were among four players added to the Under-20 U.S. Women’s National Team training camp roster. The USWNT is in the process of finalizing its roster for the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. Camp is currently underway in Sunrise, Fla. and will conclude on November 23.
4️⃣ players added to U-20 #USWNT roster for training camp currently taking place in Florida: F Brianne Folds (Auburn), M Taylor Kornieck (Colorado), M Savannah DeMelo (USC), D Hannah Cardenas.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) November 20, 2017
NOVEMBER IS NOT JON VAN DIEST’S MONTH
Buffs freshman linebacker Jon Van Diest underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL per Buffstampede publisher Adam Munsterteiger. The Cherry Creek, CO native suffered the injury in practice last week and had surgery on Friday. From the looks of this picture (via his father, Steve Van Diest) it looks like the family’s new chocolate Labrador puppy Kona “Blue” is aiding Jon’s recovery. Get well soon, Jon!
thx. he’s doing great. likes this better than shoulder labrum. ha. he’s gonna kill this. i guess a new puppy and being home helps. pic.twitter.com/TkN91NF41R
— Steve Van Diest (@DadVanDiest) November 18, 2017
RIVALRY RENEWED: BUFFS TAKE ON HUSKERS IN 2018
The Pac-12 Conference released the 2018 football schedule Thursday and the Buffs will be taking on a familiar foe for the 70th time.
PLAY OF THE WEEK: McKINLEY WRIGHT’S BUZZER-BEATER
The Buffs would have never even reached the Paradise Jam Championship were it not for this gem from the talented freshman guard.
MCKINLEY WRIGHT IV AT THE BUZZER! @kin_wright25 @CUBuffsMBB rally from 13 down to beat Quinnipiac 70-69! @paradisejam pic.twitter.com/2l61LjaJRV
— FloHoops (@FloHoops) November 18, 2017