Colorado’s celebration continued in the locker room following the Buffaloes’ win over Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and head coach Tad Boyle — dancing while surrounded by his players — was at the center of it.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Boyle shouted, after entering the locker room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, while raising his arms.
Then, for the next eight or nine seconds, Boyle, 61, proceeded to shift and sway while the Buffaloes formed a circle around him, adding a clap and fist pump at the end of the clip posted on X on Friday following their 102-100 victory against the Gators.
It was Colorado’s second NCAA Tournament win since 2012 — as it also defeated Georgetown in 2021 — and it’ll face No. 2 seed Marquette on Sunday for a spot in Sweet Sixteen, which would mark the Buffaloes’ first appearance in the second weekend of the Tournament since the postseason event expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Colorado’s NCAA Tournament victory. Screengrab via X/@CUBuffsMBB
“Well, can’t ask for much more out of a game in March than the one you just saw,” Boyle said to start his press conference. “Just a hell of a game in March. What else can you say?”
The Buffaloes earned the No. 3 seed in the Pac-12 tournament and knocked off the No. 2 seed — Washington State — before falling to No. 4 seed Oregon in the title game.
But even after Colorado earned an at-large bid, it still needed to start in Dayton with the First Four, where a seven-point win against Boise State set up the matchup with the Gators.
Colorado locker room postgame. Screengrab via X/@CUBuffsMBB
Boyle said Thursday, before the Buffaloes’ game, that he enjoys “playing fast, without a doubt,” and he reiterated that Sunday after topping 100 points for the second time this season.
KJ Simpson led the Buffaloes with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Eddie Lampkin Jr. added 21 points — and all five Colorado starters finished in double-digits.
Walter Clayton paced the Gators with 33 points, as Florida was forced to operate without starting center Micah Handlogten following his fractured lower leg — a gruesome injury scene — in the SEC championship game Sunday.
“Disappointed because this group had the ability to make a little bit of a run,” Florida head coach Todd Golden told reporters postgame. “We got a tough draw getting Colorado in this game. They’re 21st overall in KenPom. No other 10 seed is above 33rd.
“That’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
