BOULDER — Just a few year ago, it was a trademark of Tad Boyle's Colorado teams.
The Buffs, no matter who or where they played, hit the floor with an edge to their game. They carried a chip on their shoulders, a demeanor that dared people to underestimate them, a passion fueled by an urge to prove their detractors wrong.
But over the last couple of years — in particular, last season — that edge slowly disappeared. Some of the fire gave way to a hint of complacency, a touch of entitlement, brought on perhaps in part by their own success: after three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years, the Buffs were expected to be good.