Afterward, Colorado coach Tad Boyle said it’s never fun to compete against a friend.
Chances are that friend, University of Denver coach Rodney Billups, enjoyed it even less.
It was a rude homecoming for Billups as well as former Colorado coach Ricardo Patton on Tuesday, as Boyle’s Buffaloes used strong defense and a dominant run in the second half to pull away for an 89-62 victory at the Coors Events Center.
With Billups’ brother, CU legend Chauncey Billups, sitting courtside, Rodney Billups’ Pioneers stayed close behind a strong effort from the floor early before the Buffs put the clamps on defensively.