The Colorado Buffaloes have strived to become relevant on the national stage since Tad Boyle became coach six years ago.
They have a great chance to become part of the conversation when they host No. 13 Xavier at the Coors Events Center on Wednesday at Boulder, Colo.
The Musketeers (7-1) are Colorado's second ranked opponent on its non-conference schedule, and a win Wednesday would give it a sweep of those teams.
The Buffaloes beat Texas, then No. 22, 68-54 in the consolation game of The Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 22. The Musketeers give them another chance at a resume win as the teams start a home-and-home series, with next year's matchup set for Cincinnati.
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"When I think of Xavier basketball, the first thing that comes to my mind is the toughness. They've got great toughness," Boyle told the Boulder Daily Camera. "They've got really good players and they're very well coached. Xavier doesn't beat themselves, you have to go beat them. We have to be ready for a street fight."
Both teams are trying to put disappointing losses behind. Colorado (6-2) lost to in-state rival Colorado State last week to snap a 12-game home winning streak but bounced back to beat Portland 76-63.
Xavier dropped its only true road game at No. 4 Baylor.
The Musketeers played arguably their best half of basketball when they took a 34-31 lead at intermission against the Bears. They followed that up with a bad second half and lost 76-61.
Turnovers were an issue in that game, and coach Chris Mack told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he talked to his players about the missed opportunity in Waco, Texas.
"I'm sure (the players) felt some positives. I didn't necessarily show them a lot of the positives," Mack told the Enquirer. "I think everybody in the world always wants to give the sugar-coated version. I gave our guys reality, and that was what we got away from in the second half really hurt us and we didn't have an ability to stop the momentum. We didn't have an ability to take good shots and to turn the ball over. We've got to do that at Colorado."
The Musketeers are led in scoring by junior guard Trevon Bluiett, who is averaging 18.4 points a game. He and RaShid Gaston, lead Xavier in rebounding at 6.3 rebounds a game. Xavier has three players averaging at least 15 points.
It will be a tough task to beat Colorado on the glass. The Buffaloes outrebound opponents by nine a game and are third in the Pac-12 in rebounding margin. They are led by Xavier Johnson, who is averaging a team-best 14.4 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Senior Derrick White is Colorado's do-all player, averaging 14 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
"(Colorado is) a team that really takes a lot of pride on the offensive glass," Mack told the Enquirer. "They might be one of the best offensive rebounding teams we've faced all year."
The Buffaloes are facing a team that crashes the boards. Xavier is also outrebounding opponents by nine per game and ranks 12th nationally in rebounding margin at 10.6.
It comes down to strength against strength, and Colorado is hoping its home court will be a difference maker.
"It's going to be a heck of a challenge," Boyle told the Daily Camera. "Nothing against Portland, but this is a little different animal than the Portland Pilots in terms of their personnel. Portland is well-coached. Xavier is well-coached and they've got some dudes who can rip your head off if you're not ready to play."
