Richardson out for year; torn ACL

Junior wide receiver Paul Richardson was injured in Monday's practice, and was latter diagnosed with a torn knee ligament that will keep him off the field for the entire 2012 season.

This is a huge loss for the Buffs nearly a week before the Colorado football spring game.

According to the CUBuffs website Richardson tore the ACL in his knee when he was "simply planting and trying to make a turn in a non-contact special teams drill."

Richardson was a dynamic threat for the offense last year. Despite missing four games with a sprained knee in 2011 he was still the third leading receiver on the Buffaloes roster, with 39 catches and a total of 555 yards.



The fluke injury hurts the Buffaloes who are very inexperienced on the offensive side of the ball. Richardson was assuming a role as a leader on the team, in the locker room and on the field.

"Obviously, it's a blow to our team, but it's a part of the game," head coach Jon Embree said. "It's an opportunity for others to step up and try to lessen his loss. I thought at first he just rolled his ankle, and it turned out to be this [torn ACL]. It's a shame because he's worked real hard and was doing a great job both on and off the field, leading by example and improving on all the things he needed to work on." (via CUBuffs.com)

Richardson will use a redshirt year and come back with two years of eligibility in 2013.

[Information and quotes from CUBuffs.com]

Buffs program on the rise- Part 2

 Expectations follow success, and expectations mean pressure.

These two attributes have been a rarity around the Colorado basketball program for quite a while. But after back-to-back twenty win seasons and growing interest around the community and around the country it only another step in Tad Boyles elaborate plan.

“I do think we have a brand that we are trying to establish,” said Boyle, who is keen on developing relationships that will last. “Colorado basketball in the west coast, and what we did this year in the Pac-12 tournament opened some eyes so that might open some doors.”

The tournament that the Buffs upset the balance of power in the Pac-12 Conference was a giant leap for the program. 

In his second year in Boulder, Boyle was already getting recognition. He didn’t win Coach of the Year, despite some pundits pleading his case, but his name did come up in the talks of other, high paid and higher profile, jobs around the country. 

Boyle is here to stay; to see through the imminent positive future of Colorado basketball. 

“My commitment level to Colorado basketball is as high as it has ever been. I am fortunate to be here, I am humbled to be here, and I'm hungry,” said Boyle.

Takeaway from Buffs season- Part 1

Colorado was picked to finish 9^th in their inaugural year in the Pac-12 Conference. Even many Buff fans were hesitant to believe CU had enough scoring to do damage in a weak conference. It was prescribed, by the many scribes, as a “rebuilding year”.

But that was on the outside looking in.

After winning the Pac-12 Tournament, the hard way, and taking their talents to the NCAA Tournament Tad Boyle sounded like he knew it was coming. The head coach put the pieces together, in the correct moments, and peaked right when they need to.

“Obviously, we are celebrating a great year for Colorado basketball, and I wish we were still playing this week (in the Sweet 16) but were not,” said Boyle.  “But as we reflect back on the year we had, and another 24 win season, it was a great run at the end.”

The crescendo of the year came in March, and changed the entire perception of the season.

Throughout the year Colorado showed glimpses of being a solid team. They teased the fans, much the same way as they had done in the past, winning against good teams inside the Coors Events Center but faltering on the road. But then they found something, a way to win, against all odds and with all skeptics scratching their respective heads. They ran the table and garnered a newfound respect.

The season is an epitome of Colorado basketball; pushing through adversity, a snub after last season to provide motivation and consistent, yet unpredictable ups-and-downs over the course of a season.  

It’s a process. Boyle is ready to put in the time and the work.

Buffs basketball recap- Introduction

In the large scheme of things, the 2012 season for Tad Boyle and the Buffs basketball program was a crucial step and a huge building block for the future.

“I am really happy with where the program is today, and probably more importantly now, where it is going in the future,” said Boyle as he reflected on the year, his second on the job.

Back-to-back 20 win seasons for the first time in school history. Four wins in four days to take home the Pac-12 Conference Championship in Los Angeles. And a fan base becoming engaged, gaining momentum for years to come.

Success, especially this much, was a surprise, now it’s to be expected in Boulder.

Tad Boyle’s thoughts on the 2011-2012 season, and the prospect of Colorado Buffaloes basketball…