Buffs’ Freshman Trio Brings Spark, Balance, and Big-Time Potential in First Starts
BOULDER - There was a different kind of buzz inside the CU Events Center on Sunday afternoon - the kind that comes when something new is taking shape. For Colorado men’s basketball, that “something” might just be the future, and it arrived in the form of three true freshmen making their first career starts: Jalin Holland, Fawaz “Tacko” Ifaola, and Josiah Sanders.
And from the opening tip, it was clear - these young Buffs weren’t just filling spots in the lineup. They were ready to make an impact.
Freshmen Fuel the Fire
Let’s start with the numbers, because they tell a compelling story. Colorado’s freshman class accounted for 43 of the team’s 87 points - just under half of the total offensive output - and did it with efficiency and poise.
The trio of Holland, Ifaola, and Sanders combined for 23 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting. That’s not just solid - that’s production you can build around.
Josiah Sanders led the charge with a breakout performance. The Colorado native played like he belonged, notching career highs in points (12), assists (6), and rebounds (3) while shooting 5-of-9 from the field. It was his second time this season leading the Buffs in assists, and his most complete game to date.
What made it even more impressive? Sanders had been held scoreless in each of the previous three games.
But against Iowa State, he started to turn the corner, putting together a strong second half with six points, two boards, and an assist in just 12 minutes. That momentum clearly carried over.
“I have faith,” Sanders said after the game. “I stayed in the gym.
I kept talking to my people. And just got to keep working, no matter if I was playing the best basketball of my life or the worst basketball of my life, I got to wake up the next day.
I got to get in the gym and get better.”
That kind of mindset? It’s exactly what you want from a young player stepping into a bigger role.
Ifaola Brings the Energy - and the Efficiency
In the paint, Fawaz “Tacko” Ifaola made the most of his minutes, delivering his most efficient outing of the season. The 7-footer went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, finishing with six points and six rebounds - all career highs. That performance pushed his season shooting line to a spotless 5-of-5 across 10 appearances.
But Ifaola’s impact goes beyond the box score. His energy is infectious, and his presence on the floor lifts the entire team.
“I love seeing him out there having fun and smiling, because he brings that energy,” Sanders said. “People don’t always see it, but in the locker room, he’s always smiling, cracking jokes, and bringing that. So the player you see on the court, he’s like that all the time.”
And that energy has a ripple effect.
“It’s contagious,” Sanders added. “We see that, and we’re like, ‘Okay, we got to pick it up.’
So if he’s playing really well, playing with a lot of energy, I know I have to step up my game. And then that’s the same for the next person.”
Holland Does the Dirty Work
Rounding out the trio, Jalin Holland turned in a quietly impressive performance - the kind that doesn’t always jump off the stat sheet but absolutely matters. He chipped in five points, five rebounds, and a career-high four assists while playing tough, physical defense on the perimeter.
Holland’s calling card right now is his defense, particularly at the point of attack. And it showed again in this one.
“Jalin Holland’s been really playing his tail off,” head coach Tad Boyle said. “That’s the one thing we know he’s going to do - compete and rebound and defend.
He did a great job on [Brock] Harding tonight. He’s a good player.
His stat line does not show the effect that he had on the game.”
That kind of praise from Boyle isn’t just lip service. It’s a nod to the kind of trust Holland is earning - the kind that gets you on the floor in big moments.
The Next Step Starts Now
For Boyle, the message to his freshmen has been consistent: know who you are right now, and embrace it.
“Who you are today as a freshman is not who you’re going to be next year as a sophomore, and that’s okay,” Boyle said. “But you’ve got to understand who you are today. Don’t show people what you can’t do - show them what you can do.”
And right now, this freshman trio is showing that they can do a lot. They brought energy, efficiency, and balance to a team that needed a jolt. More importantly, they looked comfortable doing it.
It’s early, and there’s still plenty of growing to do. But if Sunday was any indication, the Buffaloes’ future isn’t just promising - it’s already taking shape.