Colorado @ Stanford preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 11, 2018 ) Stanford 56, Colorado 64

Colorado fell behind early in the Pac-12 race by losing four of its first five conference games, but a road sweep of the Bay Area teams could put the Buffaloes right back into contention. The Buffs achieved the first step with Thursday’s 68-59 win over California and look for a repeat performance Saturday at Stanford.

Sophomore point guard McKinley Wright returned after missing one game due to a shoulder injury and recorded eight points, four rebounds and four assists in Thursday’s win over Cal as the Buffaloes bounced back from a nine-point loss at Utah. “He’s like Tom Brady,” teammate Tyler Bey told reporters. "When he’s on the floor, everything’s much easier.” Wright is averaging 12.6 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds to lead Colorado, which needs to be careful not to overlook a dangerous Stanford team that has lost five of its last seven games but upset Arizona State two weeks ago. Sophomore wing KZ Okpala returned after missing one game with back spasms and scored 22 points in Thursday’s 70-66 loss to Utah.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT COLORADO (11-7, 2-4 Pac-12): Lucas Siewert scored 18 points and Tyler Bey had 17 points and 14 rebounds against Cal, which trailed 41-23 early in the second half before mounting a late comeback. Junior guard Shane Gatling added 13 points but continued to struggle from beyond the arc, where he’s 7-of-27 over the past three games. Reserve guard Namon Wright has missed three of the past four games with a foot injury for the injury-plagued Buffaloes, who are averaging 69.3 points in conference play.

ABOUT STANFORD (9-10, 2-5): Okpala and sophomore guard Daejon Davis combined for 39 points on 14-of-31 shooting against Utah, but the team’s other three starters were held to a total of seven field goals and 17 points. “We do need a wider array of offensive threats,” coach Jerod Haase told reporters. “As good as KZ is and as good as Daejon is, we’re going to need guys to step up and play. When that happens, it’s going to be a pretty fun deal.” Okpala is averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in five conference games while shooting 52.1 percent from the field.

TIP-INS

1. Colorado has won nine straight games against Stanford, with six of the victories coming by eight or fewer points.

2. Stanford freshman guard Cormac Ryan has missed the past three games with an ankle injury and is listed as day-to-day.

3. Colorado sophomore wing D’Shawn Schwartz is averaging 11.5 points on 50 percent shooting during conference play.

PREDICTION: Stanford 76, Colorado 70