Colorado Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home game against Washington State

3. The Buffaloes need to control Elleby and Bonton

6’3 junior Isaac Bonton was off of everyone’s radar before Washington State’s win over Oregon State.  The JUCO transfer shocked Cougar nation with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists with only two turnovers.  Bonton’s previous high was 19 points against Incarnate Word (#348 NET) and is now averaging 14.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and a team-leading 3.6 apg.  After being snubbed coming out of high school in Portland, the sweep over his home state schools was satisfying.

You can’t blame Cougar opponents if they overlooked Bonton.  6’6 sophomore C.J. Elleby is no doubt the star of this Washington State club.  Elleby is averaging 18.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg.

Fortunately for the Buffaloes, Colorado has one of the better perimeter defenses.  Tyler Bey (13.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg) should be a fun matchup to watch against Elleby.

McKinley Wright IV (13.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.0 apg) will likely get the assignment on Bonton.  D’Shawn Schwartz (10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg) is the third member of the Buffalo guard trio.   It was Schwartz that nailed the game-winning three to defeat Dayton (#5 NET) 78-76 in overtime.

Offensively, the Buff guards will need to take better care of the basketball.  Colorado is ranked #322 in steal percentage (10.9%) and #233 in turnover percentage (20.2%).  Meanwhile, the Cougs are ranked #47 in causing turnovers (22.2%).

If the Buffaloes can exploit the interior of the Cougar defense and throttle the two Washington State threats, the hometown fans should be able to enjoy another Pac-12 victory and move Colorado back toward the top of the league where they belong.