Colorado Basketball has had an interesting season to say the least. After starting the season off with a statement 12-point road win against the now #2 ranked program in the country, the Tennessee Volunteers, the Buffs have since looked inconsistent at best. The Buffs are 4-8 in what is not the strongest Pac-12 conference and are posting an average 12-11 record on the season. A pattern in seasons past, the Buffs are playing very strong home basketball, boasting a 9-2 record while playing at the Coors Events Center. On the road is a different story, going an abysmal 1-7 on the road, while going 1-2 in three neutral site games at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. The Buffs are a team that, at this point in their season with their resume, need to win the majority of their last 8 games of the season, specifically beating two top 10 programs in UCLA and Arizona. Without this, the Buffs will need to win the Pac-12 tournament in order to secure a bid to go dancing in March.
While all the talk regarding the University of Colorado has been focused on Coach Prime and the inevitable resurgence of the football program, Coach Tad Boyle has been brewing up something special for his Buffaloes 2023-24 campaign. While there is still some of the 22-23 season to be played, I could not imagine Coach Tad Boyle and this Buffs squad isn’t looking ahead to the future, to what could potentially be the best team in the Pac-12 next year, and a real contender to remain a top 25 team all season.
Buffs’ Bonafide Stars
KJ Simpson is one of the best guards in the Pac-12. His mix of creativity, strength and speed have helped him develop these past two seasons into an elite three level scorer at the college level. Simpson is currently posting averages of 16 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg and roughly 1.5 steals an outing. His splits are not amazing, but they definitely are not bad considering Simpson is only one of two go to scorers on a Colorado team that lacks scoring and shooting depth. KJ Simpson should come into the 23-24 season on watch to not only win the Pac-12 player of the year, but the Bob Cousy Award as well, which is given to the top point guard in the country.
Another cornerstone piece for this Buffaloes squad, who has taken big strides in his three years is Tristan Da Silva. Da Silva could be another player in contention for Pac-12 player of the year next year. The 6’9 forward out of Munich has seen a massive jump in scoring and production for the Buffaloes, averaging 16 points an outing while shooting an astounding 52% from the field and 41% from three.
Returning Players
Colorado has established that Simpson and Da Silva are their two studs, their go to guys who Tad Boyle should focus their offense around in what could be a huge 2023-24 season for Colorado. Colorado will see returning players in Julian Hammond, a great role player who is an efficient scorer, plays good defense and boasts a strong basketball IQ. J’vonne Hadley, a Jr transfer forward has shown strong interior and athletic presence. He has continued to grow and look more comfortable on the floor as the season has progressed. Lawson Lovering, a former four-star 7-footer out of Wyoming could give solid minutes off of the bench next year as an interior defensive presence. Hadley and Lovering are solid D1 basketball players, but they are not ready to be starters on a team that aspires to make march madness and go on a run. Luke O’Brien and Javon Ruffin have been having a tough go at it this season, but I think with more experience under their belt, they could show more productivity next year for the Buffaloes.
The Unknowns
Joe Hurlbert is yet to touch the floor this season, but the four-star forward out of North Dakota could be a nice piece for the Buffaloes next season. Someone who can space the floor standing at roughly 6’11, Hurlbert could potentially help take an offensive load off of Tristan Da Silva.
Quincy Allen, a former four-star out of the D.C. area has been plagued with injuries in his first couple seasons with the Buffaloes. Allen finally made his long-awaited debut but has yet to receive any significant minutes this far, and has not played more than three minutes in any game thus far. The 6’8 guard was supposed to be one of Colorado’s brightest spots in their top 15 2021 recruiting class, so it is interesting to see if he will return to the Buffs, and what Tad Boyle wants to do going forward.
The Recruits
Colorado just signed their highest coveted recruit in program history. Cody Williams, brother of 2022 OKC Thunder lottery pick Jalen Williams, is a 6’8 guard/forward who has all the tools to become an NBA talent just like his older brother. Williams plays with electricity, he may not have the best three-point jump shot or the most skill in his class, but the fluidity, length and progression he has already made shows massive upside. It will be interesting to see how much Williams plays next year, if he can breakout into one of the best freshmen in the country, the Buffs can add another elite player to their roster that already has a bright future.
The Buffs also had a massive signing in Assane Diop, the 6’10 center out of Denver Colorado. Diop will look to make an immediate impact on a team that heavily lacks interior defense.
Colorado has had an interesting, somewhat upsetting season. Expectations were placed a bit too high on young kids, and with that the Buffaloes have struggled interiorly on both ends of the floor. Colorado should return most of its players, they are bringing in a top 20 recruiting class in the country, and Tad Boyle will inevitably find some gems in the transfer portal. Colorado has the potential to be one of the more underrated and dangerous teams in the country next season.
Watch out for the Buffaloes.