LOS ANGELES — Tad Boyle has expressed confidence in 7-foot-1 middle Lawson Lovering all through the season.
Lovering is beginning to reward his coach’s belief.
Going into Colorado’s Saturday night time battle towards No. 7 UCLA, Lovering will probably be coming off the most effective sport of his profession. The sophomore was a vivid spot throughout Thursday’s 68-61 loss at USC, posting the primary double-double of his profession with 13 factors and 14 rebounds. Each numbers had been career-highs.
“I used to be simply taking part in like I understand how to play,” Lovering mentioned. “We’ve simply obtained to maintain our heads up. There’s all the time one other alternative knocking on the door.”
Since lacking the Dec. 21 dwelling win towards Southern Utah attributable to a sore elbow, Lovering has shot 13-for-21 in 5 video games whereas averaging 6.2 factors and 5.2 rebounds. On the season, Lovering is averaging 3.8 factors and 4.5 rebounds. That five-game stretch contains the 2 finest video games of Lovering’s profession — Thursday’s effort at USC, plus a 5-for-6, 10-point, five-rebound efficiency in a win at Stanford on Dec. 29.
“It takes massive guys a bit longer to regulate to varsity basketball. I’ve all the time mentioned that,” Boyle mentioned. “Since I’ve been a coach I’ve handled loads of good massive guys, going again to Paul Miller at Wichita State who actually struggled as a freshman, however by the point he was a senior he was the Participant of the Yr within the Missouri Valley. You see a man like Lawson, he’s rising up.”
Notable
In his previous six dwelling video games, CU ahead Tristan da Silva has averaged 21.2 factors and 6.8 rebounds whereas capturing 62.4% general (53-for-85) and 46.2% on 3-pointers (12-for-26). In his previous three street video games, he has shot 35.7% (10-for-28) general and 20.0% on 3-pointers (2-for-10) whereas averaging 9.3 factors and 4.0 rebounds…CU’s Nique Clifford shot a fair 40% final yr from 3-point vary (24-for-60) however is capturing simply 22.5% from lengthy vary this season (9-for-40)…UCLA leads the Pac-12 in scoring protection (60.1)…The seventh-ranked Bruins started Saturday ranked seventh within the NET and third at KenPom.com. The Buffs are 61st within the NET and fiftieth at KenPom…Colorado is 1-4 in true street video games this season…The published staff of Tim Brando and Jim Jackson will probably be on the decision for FOX on Saturday night.
