Colorado Buffaloes
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #71
Conference Rank: #7 Pac-12
Last season Colorado failed to reach the postseason for the first time in Coach Tad Boyle’s eight years leading the program. The Buffaloes still had their moments though, finishing with a 17-15 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Pac-12 play. There were some big wins along the way against the likes of Arizona State and Arizona, but Colorado boasted a young team and they were inconsistent. The hope is now Coach Boyle’s team can use their experience to add a few more wins to the conference slate and compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
2017-18 Record: 17-15, 8-10
2017-18 Postseason: None
Coach: Tad Boyle
Coach Record: 166-110 at Colorado, 222-176 overall
Key Departed Players:
George King, Guard, 12.9 ppg
Dominique Collier, Guard, 7.5 ppg
Lazar Nikolic, Guard, 2.3 ppg
Key Returning Players:
McKinley Wright IV, Sophomore, Guard, 14.2 ppg
Tyler Bey, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 6.1 ppg
Dallas Walton, Sophomore, Forward/Center, 5.7 ppg
Namon Wright, Senior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Lucas Siewert, Junior, Forward, 6.8 ppg
Deleon Brown, Junior, Guard, 5.0 ppg
D’Shawn Schwartz, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 3.4 ppg
Key New Players:
Evan Battey, Freshman, Forward
Jakub Dombek, Freshman, Forward
Shane Gatling, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Daylen Kountz, Freshman, Guard
Eli Parquet, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Colorado was regularly starting three freshmen last year. McKinley Wright IV was the most productive of the group, averaging 14.2 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds. He is a superb playmaker and will do plenty of scoring when needed. Once his outside shot becomes more consistent, Wright will be one of the most dangerous point guards in the Pac-12. Tyler Bey and Dallas Walton had promising freshmen campaigns as well. Bey is a big 6-7 wing who will be one of the best rebounders on the team and Walton, a seven-footer, is the team’s most dangerous shot blocker. Namon Wright is the lone senior on the roster and averaged 9.7 points per game last year. Lucas Siewert is the big man that can stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability and he will need to do that effectively since this is not a great shooting team. The Buffaloes can play great defense and effectively attack the basket, but somebody needs to take advantage of the collapsing defense and knock down shots or Colorado may miss out on the postseason once again.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.1 (220th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.0 (190, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.0 (206, 11)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (76, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.5 (180, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (121, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.9 (115, 6)
Rebound Margin: 3.4 (64, 3)
Assists Per Game: 12.8 (238, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.1 (286, 10)
