Providence gets another look at its transfer guard Saturday, and this time Devin Vanterpool should have a little more rhythm under him when the Friars host Colorado.
Vanterpool led the way with 21 points in Providence’s win over Bryant on Tuesday, continuing a stretch that already has him scoring in double figures in both games since he returned to action. He sat out the opener against Maine because of an ankle injury, then made his Friars debut with 11 points against Nebraska last Saturday.
Coach Bryan Hodgson said the numbers only tell part of the story.
"Honestly, Devin is still at like 80%," Hodgson said. "You can tell by watching him he's just not comfortable on that ankle right now. Dev's way more explosive than he's showing right now, (but) he's not at any more risk by playing right now or we wouldn't be playing him. He just needs to strengthen that ankle."
Providence should also have more help available against the Buffaloes. Hodgson said Ryan Mela and Samson Aletan are expected to be ready after both missed the Bryant game. Mela is averaging 11.0 points per game and has been dealing with shin splints, while Aletan was sidelined after coming down with a high fever following the loss to Nebraska.
The Friars are 2-1 and have made life difficult for opponents with their pressure defense. They’re averaging 12.7 steals per game after forcing 25 turnovers, including 19 steals, against Bryant. Even with the win, Hodgson wasn’t handing out praise without a caveat.
"It's great to come out with a win, but transparently I'm not satisfied," Hodgson said. "We have a long way to go in a lot of different areas."
Colorado arrives at 2-1 after an 83-75 home win over San Diego. The Buffaloes piled up 23 assists in that one, a sharp jump from the 77-66 loss to San Diego State last Saturday, when they had 15 fewer assists.
"That's Colorado basketball," coach Tad Boyle said. "That's the team that we need to be this year. We need to be the team that's making plays for each other."
Barrington Hargress has been the Buffaloes’ top scorer so far at 20.0 points per game. Ian Inman is right behind him at 13.7 points per game after drilling eight of 13 from 3-point range and finishing with a career-high 26 points against San Diego.
Hargress said the ball movement is the standard Colorado wants to chase.
"We believe that our high-assist games are successful games," Hargress said. "That's going to be something that we always aim for."
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Just Changed The Colorado Conversation For Now
Colorados 42-32 win over No. 14 Houston gave Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes something they have not had in a long time: a signature victory to point to when the conversation around the program had started drifting toward frustration and uncertainty. It was Colorados first win over a top-15 opponent since 2007, and it came at a moment when the season had been defined more by questions than answers, with the Buffaloes sitting at 4-6 and trying to steady themselves in Sanders fourth year.
For Sanders, the timing matters almost as much as the result. The win does not erase the larger issues surrounding the program, but it does provide a needed burst of momentum and a reminder that Colorado can still land a punch against a ranked opponent. It also comes with the backdrop of his substantial contract extension and the financial realities tied to his future, which have only added to the scrutiny around every result. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados Bowl Hopes Face A Brutal Test Against No. 14 Houston
The path to a bowl game for Colorado got a lot steeper after the loss to Arizona State, leaving the Buffaloes needing to win their final three games just to reach eligibility. Next up is a daunting trip against No. 14 Houston, a team that has built its reputation on a high-powered offense and a quarterback in Conner Weigman who can make life difficult for any defense.
Colorado will need more from Joseph Williams and the rest of its offense to keep pace, while the pass rush has to find a way to disrupt Weigman and slow Houston's rhythm. The Buffaloes are expected to enter as underdogs, which only adds to the pressure as they try to keep their season from slipping away before the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Nate Tomlinson Returns To A Place That Could Test The Buffs
Nate Tomlinson is headed back to Providence in a familiar role, only this time he will be on the Colorado sideline when the Buffaloes face the Friars. The assistant coach spent time on the Providence staff before joining CU, and the trip adds a personal layer to a nonconference matchup that already carries some intrigue for a Colorado program looking to keep building under its current staff.
The game also brings Tomlinson back into a basketball circle that includes former CU assistant Kim English, now leading Providence, which gives the meeting a little extra texture beyond the usual early-season test. Colorado enters with a recent season that has left plenty to clean up, and this trip offers another chance to measure where the Buffs stand against a Big East opponent with its own coaching pedigree and expectations. [Read more 🡒]