Tad Boyle wasn’t messing around on Sunday. After a six-game skid that had Colorado searching for answers, the head coach made a bold move-shaking up the starting five in a way that sent a clear message.
Out went Bangot Dak, Sebastian Rancik, and Elijah Malone. In came Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Fawaz Ifaola.
The result? A 26-point statement win over TCU that looked-and felt-like a team rediscovering its identity.
Let’s break down what stood out in Colorado’s emphatic bounce-back performance:
1. Winning the Effort Stats: Rebounds and Assists
This one started-and ended-with effort. Colorado finally got back to doing the little things that win games, starting on the glass.
The Buffs outrebounded TCU 41-36, and while +5 may not jump off the page, it marked a shift in intensity that had been missing during the losing streak. Ifaola and Rancik led the charge with six rebounds apiece, but the work was spread across the roster.
Everyone chipped in.
The real eye-opener? The assist column.
Colorado dished out 24 assists to TCU’s 8. That’s a +16 differential-flat-out domination in ball movement and offensive execution.
Josiah Sanders, making his first collegiate start, looked like a seasoned floor general, leading the team with six assists. The Buffs weren’t just moving the ball-they were playing connected basketball.
2. Balanced Scoring and Bench Firepower
This wasn’t a one-man show. Colorado got double-digit scoring from three starters, led by Isaiah Johnson’s 16 points on an efficient 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-6 from deep. He set the tone early and kept the pressure on.
But the biggest spark might’ve come from the guys who didn’t start. Dak and Rancik, both coming off the bench after being replaced in the lineup, responded with urgency and fire.
They combined for 31 of Colorado’s 38 bench points-Dak dropping 14, Rancik adding 17. That’s the kind of response coaches dream about when they make a lineup change.
Message received.
As a team, Colorado was dialed in offensively. They shot 56% from the field and knocked down 11 of their 23 attempts from beyond the arc.
The one blemish? Free throws.
The Buffs hit just 6-of-13 from the line (46%), leaving some easy points on the table. But when you’re shooting that well from the floor, you can afford a few misses at the stripe-at least for one night.
3. Defense Set the Tone
Offense was humming, but the defense might’ve been even more impressive. Colorado locked in on TCU’s top scorer, David Punch, who came into the game averaging nearly 15 points per contest. They held him to just 8 points on 3-of-9 shooting, taking him out of rhythm early and never letting him find a groove.
The Horned Frogs as a team couldn’t get much going. TCU shot just 33% from the field (21-of-63) and a rough 22% from three-point range (5-of-23). Colorado’s perimeter defense was active, their rotations were sharp, and they contested everything.
Inside, the Buffs owned the paint. They outscored TCU 42-28 down low, using physicality and positioning to control the interior. At one point, Colorado’s lead ballooned to 28 points-it was that kind of afternoon.
This was more than just a win-it was a statement. The lineup changes lit a fire, and the Buffs responded with their most complete game in weeks. They shared the ball, defended with purpose, and played with the kind of energy that had been missing during the slide.
If this is the version of Colorado we’re going to see moving forward, the rest of the Pac-12 better take notice.