BOULDER - By Thursday, it had become the 1,500-pound buffalo in the corner that everyone wanted to ignore. Well, almost everyone.

Most signs in the aftermath of an uninspired 75-46 loss Wednesday to No. 9 Kansas pointed to a meltdown and/or fragmenting of the University of Colorado men's basketball team.

While coach Ricardo Patton was alluding to a favorite gospel song - I Will Finish the Race - athletic director Mike Bohn was reiterating Patton and his players should know administration is "there for them. Our approach . . . is the same as it's been all along: We encourage good dialogue and communication. I want to engage with our players and coaches anytime I can."

Indirectly fingered by Patton after the Kansas loss as one of several players needing an "attitude" adjustment, leading scorer Richard Roby contended regrouping the Buffaloes for their final five games and the Big 12 Conference tournament is "going to be difficult, definitely a challenge. But we have to hit it head-on."

Why so difficult? Roby pointed to "lots of bad comments (Wednesday) in the paper, a lot of butting heads going on."

There is a precedent. Last year, the Buffs were pondering a late swoon that probably flushed them from NCAA Tournament consideration. And, Roby said, CU fizzled when he was a freshman. Explaining the late fades, Roby said, "Look at what's constant in that equation."

Patton wasn't sure his team "has to be pulled back together" and was hopeful the "majority" of the Buffs share his philosophy about finishing.

"We'll see . . . that's who we want to cater to - the majority," he said.

Bohn said such a situation could develop "anytime there's a scenario with this much adversity (and) knowing there's a lame- duck coach."

Asked if he might have done something to prevent it, Bohn said, "No, I don't think so." But, he added, only two games earlier, who could have foreseen CU coalescing and stunning then-No. 12 Oklahoma State?

Patton said any unrest among players was not an "overnight" development, claiming he and his staff "turned our heads to some things, and you just can't do that."

He would not elaborate but said he does not believe "we have an issue with everyone on the team. Those guys who want to play will play."

Freshman point guard Kal Bay was uncertain if a clear-the-air meeting is needed.

"I'm not sure what this team needs right now (except) to stick together and be here for the future," Bay said.

Asked if he believes Patton has lost his final CU team, Bay said, "He hasn't lost me."

Bohn confirmed he had breakfast Tuesday with Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap and that it was not the only meeting he and/or search committee chairman Tom McGrath have had with a prospective coaching candidate.

Bohn would not divulge anyone else he has talked with or confirm CU's latest session with Dunlap was at least the second.

He also said CU has no timeline to hire a new coach.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466