BOULDER – Buffaloes clinched a vital victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils, keeping their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The Buffs got it done  with a final score of 82 to 70.

The game was not just about securing another win for the Buffaloes; it was about making a statement, and they did just that. With each play, each rebound, and each shot, Colorado exhibited a hunger and passion that reflected their aspirations for postseason success.

Leading the charge for the Buffaloes were standout performances from Jvonne Hadley and KJ Simpson. Hadley, with 19 points and 11 rebounds, proved to be a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Simpson contributed 17 points and 8 assists, showcasing his versatility and playmaking abilities.

In the post-game press conference, Hadley emphasized the importance of confidence and teamwork in his performance. He credited his teammates for their unwavering support, highlighting the crucial role they played in his success on the court. Additionally, Hadley shared insights into navigating challenges, including adjusting to wearing a mask during gameplay, showcasing his resilience and adaptability.

“Really just my confidence level right now. You know, I’ve always been a pretty confident player, but, you know, just the people around me, my support cast, you know, they’re super supportive of me when I have a bad game, good game, no matter how I play, they’re always there for me. It’s always my teammates, you know, let me just be myself. You know, just attacking and making plays for them. So it’s a big part when your team teammates are on your side as well. So so to them.” 

Simpson echoed Hadley’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s collective effort in securing the win. He acknowledged the tough matchup against Arizona State and expressed respect for their opponents’ competitive spirit. Simpson also emphasized the importance of leadership, particularly in guiding younger players and instilling a winning mentality within the team.

“It’s a team effort. It’s a team effort. And everybody, I think knows that and that’s why it shows up on the stat sheet that way. So you kind of give us some advice to assign before you check out how much you take pride in being a leader to young guys and kind of being a coach on the court.” said Simpson.

Coach Tad Boyle commended his team’s performance, acknowledging the significance of conference wins, especially in February. Despite facing challenges and defensive pressure from Arizona State, Boyle praised his players for executing their game plan and staying composed throughout the game. He emphasized the need for continued improvement, particularly in capitalizing on defensive stops and minimizing turnovers.

“Conference wins in February are like gold. They’re really valuable. And our guys did a good job tonight. We didn’t play our best offensively. We had a few breakdowns defensively, but we did what we had to do and put away a really competitive, hard playing Arizona State team. They do not make it easy. You know, they they play a very unusual style.  They’re physical. We talked all week long about being strong with the basketball.”

Looking ahead, the Buffaloes are gearing up for another crucial matchup against Arizona on Saturday. Boyle emphasized the importance of staying focused and resilient, recognizing the opportunity that lies ahead. With their eyes set on postseason success, the Buffaloes are ready to embrace the challenges that lie ahead and continue their pursuit of a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

As the regular season winds down, every game becomes increasingly significant for the Buffaloes.  The journey towards March Madness is far from over, and with each win, they solidify their place among college basketball’s elite.

NEXT UP: vs No. 8 Arizona at CU Events Center in Boulder on Saturday, February 10 – 8pm.