Nique Clifford gets going for Colorado men's basketball rout of CSU Rams
Dec. 10—It wasn't as if Nique Clifford called his shot, exactly. But he expressed confidence a breakout was on the horizon even before it happened.
Among the many encouraging signs provided by the Colorado men's basketball team in a 93-65 rout of Colorado State on Thursday was the play of Clifford. In his first taste of the state's biggest college basketball rivalry, the Colorado Springs native responded with arguably his finest game of the season.
Prior to Thursday's win, Clifford discussed with BuffZone his early struggles, as well as being left out of the starting lineup for just the second time this season during Sunday's loss at Washington. Clifford said he was ready for whatever role awaited him against the Rams, then went out and let his play do the talking.
"Whatever is asked of me, I'm going to go out and do that to the best of my ability," Clifford said on Wednesday. "I haven't been off to a great start this year. But the great thing about it is, the season is still young. I have an opportunity to change my play and come out and start playing better. My team needs me step up and be better than I have been. I've just got to play with confidence and play my game like I know how to."
Clifford was a bright spot during CU's loss at Grambling State on Nov. 11, going 7-for-12 with season-highs of 15 points and six rebounds. But the early schedule otherwise has been a challenge for Clifford, who entered Thursday's win shooting .352 overall and .300 (6-for-20) on 3-pointers. He also has been one of several unpleasant surprises for CU at the free throw line (8-for-17).
Against the Rams, however, Clifford showed why he has the potential to be a difference-maker for CU in the Pac-12 Conference race. Clifford went 6-for-9 with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and a career-high-tying two blocked shots (done six times previously).
Clifford has been a mainstay in the starting lineup since the middle of last season. He was benched alongside most of CU's starters for a Nov. 13 win against Tennessee, but the benching at UW appeared a more pointed message toward Clifford. He returned to the starting lineup against CSU in a big way.
"I've kind of left Nique alone, because I know he's been struggling," CU head coach Tad Boyle said. "All I've said is, 'Nique, I just want you to be aggressive. Be who you are. Be aggressive. Take great shots. And he did that (against CSU). And 6-for-9 shows efficiency. Nique Clifford was efficient. Tristan da Silva was efficient. KJ Simpson was efficient. But for us to be as good as we need to be, Nique Clifford needs to have nights like (CSU), where he's just rock solid on defense and can make some plays offensively.
"We need multiple weapons. When you have multiple weapons, you're harder to guard. Nique's a big part of this team."
Like the Buffs as a whole, the challenge for Clifford going forward will be to perform more consistently. Thursday's win against the Rams pushed the Buffs up 18 spots in Friday's NET rankings to No. 53. For the first time since the season tipped off on Nov. 7, the pace of the season slows somewhat, with the Buffs handling final exams in the classroom before hosting North Alabama on Thursday (6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
"I've struggled early on, personally. Had to get my mental right and be there for my team," said Clifford following the win against CSU. "I haven't been playing my best and being accountable for my teammates, so it felt good to feel back. Play my game, play free, have fun out there. It was a great win for us."
