Colorado Basketball’s 8-0 Start Has History, Heart, and a Whole Lot of Bench Power
For the first time since the 1949-50 season, Colorado basketball is 8-0. That’s not a typo.
We’re talking about a run 75 years in the making, and Monday night’s win over California Baptist was anything but a cakewalk. The Buffaloes had to dig deep, rally from a double-digit hole, and lean heavily on a bench that’s quickly becoming one of the most reliable units in the country.
Let’s break down what we learned from Colorado’s gritty comeback win - and why this team’s early-season surge might be more than just a hot start.
1. A Slow Start, But No Panic
Colorado came into the night averaging 90 points per game - but you wouldn’t have known it from the first 10 minutes. California Baptist came out swinging, opening with an 18-5 run and putting the Buffs in an early hole.
Dominique Daniels Jr. was a problem, scoring 10 points in that stretch and doing a little bit of everything: rebounds, assists, even a steal. He looked like the best player on the floor early.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s starting five struggled to get going. They managed just 11 of the team’s 32 first-half points, shooting 37% from the field and only 25% from beyond the arc. The offense looked stuck in neutral, and the starters just couldn’t find rhythm.
Enter the bench.
Isaiah Johnson sparked the comeback with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting, including a strong showing at the free-throw line. His energy helped chip away at what was once a 14-point deficit.
By halftime, Colorado had closed the gap to just two, trailing 34-32. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a reminder that this team knows how to respond when things aren’t going their way.
2. Bench Mob Keeps Delivering
Head coach Tad Boyle has to be thrilled with what he’s getting from his second unit. This isn’t just a change-of-pace group - they’re producing, they’re defending, and they’re swinging momentum when the starters stall out.
Isaiah Johnson led the way again, finishing with a team-high 17 points. He was aggressive, especially getting to the line, where he scored nine of those points. Add three rebounds and three assists, and you’ve got a freshman who’s not just playing minutes - he’s changing games.
Alon Michaeli continues to be a steady presence off the bench. The junior forward dropped 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, pulled down seven boards, and chipped in an assist and a block. He’s the kind of glue guy every good team needs - someone who fills in the gaps, makes smart plays, and doesn’t need the spotlight to make an impact.
Josiah Sanders added seven points of his own, rounding out a bench unit that combined for 35 points on the night. When your second group can outscore the starters in a key stretch and keep you in the game, that’s not just depth - that’s a weapon.
3. Closing Time: Colorado Finds Its Gear Late
California Baptist didn’t fold. Daniels Jr. kept pushing, and the Buffs couldn’t fully pull away until late. But when it mattered most, Colorado locked in - and the turning point came midway through the second half.
Bangot Dak, who had been quiet all game, stepped up in a big way. He got on the board with a pair of free throws, then helped ignite a 16-0 run that flipped the game on its head.
His block led to a fast-break layup by Barrington Hargress, and moments later, Dak buried a three that stretched the lead to 12. It was the kind of sequence that shows how quickly this team can strike when they’re clicking.
And just when California Baptist started to claw back, Felix Kossaras delivered the dagger. With the Buffs up four and the shot clock winding down, he hit a tough fadeaway jumper from the elbow - a cold-blooded bucket that pushed the lead to six with under a minute to play. That shot didn’t just seal the win; it showed the poise this team is developing in crunch time.
Final Word
Colorado’s perfect start is more than just a stat - it’s a statement. They’ve got the offensive firepower, yes, but more importantly, they’ve shown resilience, depth, and a growing ability to close out tight games.
The starters struggled early, but the bench picked them up. And when it came time to finish, they didn’t flinch.
Eight wins down. History made. And if this trend continues, there could be a lot more to celebrate in Boulder this season.