Colorado Hosts Cal at Home in Must Win Game

California Golden Bears (13-15, 9-8 Pac-12) at Colorado Buffaloes (18-9, 9-7 Pac-12)

Boulder, Colorado; Wednesday, 7 p.m. MT

BOTTOM LINE: Cal visits Colorado attempting to extend their current win streak to 4, while Colorado must win to remain in March Madness contention.

Colorado Head Coach Tad Boyle (Robert C. Kline/Photo)

The Buffaloes are 14-1 in home games. Colorado scores 80.6 points and has outscored opponents by 8.2 points per game.

Tonight, the Colorado Buffaloes take on the California Bears in a home game at the CU events center. The bears are on a three game win streak, their longest of the season, and came from behind to beat the Buffs in their matchup earlier this season. California will face a tougher task this go around playing at altitude, and the bears haven’t won a game at CU events center since 2015. 

The buffaloes have won two games on the bounce, and will be looking to capitalize in one of the most important games of the season. The Bears are a healthy team in great form, with senior Fardaws Aimaq being their standout star, averaging 11.3 rebounds per game, the most in the Pac 12 on a per game basis. The importance of this game for both teams cannot be understated, with major tournament implications for the winner.  Colorado is in must win mode, as another dropped game could spell the end of their March Madness tournament hopes. 

California is also in must win mode, and a win for the bears would get them inches closer to an elusive NCAA tournament bye. The buffaloes have been marred with injuries all year, and it looks like that trend may continue tonight, with the statuses of both Julian Hammond III and standout freshman Cody Williams up in the air. 

Look for Tristan Da Silva and defensive star Eddie Lampkin to stand out if the buffs are to get an important win. This game will surely bring fireworks on both sides, and expect both teams to leave everything out on the court.