Washington Basketball: 2019-20 keys for road matchup at Colorado

2. Avoid the Boulder black hole

Boulder is known in the Pac-12 as one of the toughest places to play in the conference.  The 5,370-foot elevation of the CU Events Center is a big advantage for the Buffs, especially against opponents on the second leg of the road trip to the Mountain schools.

Husky coach Mike Hopkins will have his work cut out for him.  “Hop” will have to boost the morale of his young dogs and Washington will have to maintain it in the high altitude for forty minutes.

The Huskies are 0-3 in true road games in Pac-12 Conference play.  Washington badly needed a split, at least, on this road trip.  Their best opportunity was at Utah and they gave that game away.  Meanwhile, the Buffaloes are 8-2 at home.

Center Sam Timmins is the only senior for Washington seeing any playing time (7.3 mpg).  Junior guard Nahziah Carter needs to step up in a leadership role.  Last year, Carter was the most athletic player on the Washington team.  This year, he is just another long and athletic Husky.

Although he is a shooting guard, without Green, Carter needs to take control of the young backcourt.  Unfortunately, he finished with five turnovers against Utah on a team that committed 17 on Thursday and is averaging 14.6 turnovers per game.