EUGENE, Ore. — As the Colorado men’s basketball team prepared this week for Thursday night’s showdown at Oregon, the Buffaloes naturally popped in the film of last year’s win in Eugene.
It was one of the Buffs’ top road performances of the past few seasons, as they broke a nine-year road losing streak at Oregon. One curious twist to those film sessions, however, is that one of the underclassmen who lit it up for the Buffs in that win, former CU guard Keeshawn Barthelemy, now is a player the Buffs have to game plan against defensively.
After missing Oregon’s loss in Boulder three weeks ago while making the final steps in his recovery from an injury, Barthelemy will get a chance to take on his old team on Thursday night when the Buffs and Ducks square off at Knight Arena (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
“It’s definitely different, there’s no doubt,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “We were watching film from the Oregon game last year, and you see a kid on our team who’s now on their team. It’s something you’d rather not have happen. I’ve got a lot of love and respect for Keeshawn and his family. He spent three years with us in this program and we appreciate everything he gave us while he was here.”
Barthelemy enjoyed one of his best games with CU last year at Oregon, going 5-for-9 from the field and 9-for-9 at the free throw line with 19 points and four assists in a Buffs win. In eight games this season — the first four of the year, and the past four after his return from injury — Barthelemy has averaged 8.4 points while shooting .397 overall and just .265 (9-for-34) on 3-pointers.
Barthelemy shot .347 on 3-pointers for the Buffs last year. He spent three years in the CU program, redshirting during the 2019-20 campaign before averaging 7.6 points in 63 games (29 starts) over the past two seasons.
“I don’t know if it will be weird, but it will be fun,” CU forward Luke O’Brien said. “That’s my guy. We’re really good friends. He was my roommate last year and obviously I love the guy. I’ll probably talk to him after the game. It’s more business on the floor. I’ve had games where I’ve had friends on the other team, so I’m going to look at it like that.”
Cody Williams honored
This week, incoming Colorado recruit Cody Williams was named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-America game. Williams will be the third CU prep recruit to play in the game and the fourth overall. Former Buffs Chauncey Billups and David Harrison were McDonald’s All-Americans, as was Martice Moore, who began his collegiate career at Georgia Tech.
“I couldn’t be happier for that kid and his family, and his high school and high school coach,” Boyle said. “What an honor. It’s a testament to our coaching staff and the hard work they put in recruiting him. I’m really, really happy for Cody and obviously I can’t wait to coach him.”
Notable
Colorado began Thursday at No. 64 in the NET rankings and No. 54 at KenPom.com. Oregon is No. 60 in the NET and No. 53 at KenPom…CU is seeking just its second two-game sweep of Oregon since joining the Pac-12. The Buffs did it during the 2012-13 season…In six career games against Oregon, CU forward Tristan da Silva has shot .605 (23-for-38)…CU leads the all-time series against Oregon 16-11, but the Ducks own a 9-3 advantage in Eugene.
