Buffaloes Still Perfect, But Their First Real Road Test Awaits in Fort Collins
Colorado men’s basketball is off to a historic start, sitting at 8-0 for just the third time in program history. That’s a big deal-this kind of unbeaten run hasn’t happened since the 1949-50 season, and only the legendary 1941-42 squad started stronger, opening with 14 straight wins. But let’s be clear: while the Buffs have passed every test thrown at them so far, their biggest challenge yet is coming this weekend-and it’s not just about the opponent.
It’s about the environment.
Road Reality Check Coming
CU head coach Tad Boyle isn’t sugarcoating it. Monday night’s 78-70 comeback win over Cal Baptist was another notch in the win column, but it also served as a warning.
The Buffs came out flat, fell behind by 14 in the first half, and needed a second-half surge to avoid the upset. That kind of performance might fly at home, where the crowd can give you a lift.
But on the road? Against a rival like Colorado State?
That’s a different story.
“Look, credit to our guys. I don’t know how the hell we were down two at halftime.
I felt like we should’ve been down 20,” Boyle said after the game. “And guess what?
On Saturday night, we will be down 20 if we play like that. So we’d better learn.”
Boyle’s not wrong. CU hasn’t played in a true road environment yet this season.
Neutral-site games are one thing, but walking into a packed Moby Arena in Fort Collins with a fired-up Rams crowd? That’s a whole different kind of pressure.
And Boyle knows it. He’s been around long enough to understand that if his team wants to keep this unbeaten streak alive, they’ll need to clean up the defensive lapses and ball-handling issues that nearly cost them against Cal Baptist.
Buffs Drawing Fewer Fans Despite Hot Start
Interestingly, while the Buffs are rolling on the court, the fan turnout hasn’t quite matched the momentum. Monday’s win drew just 4,931 fans to the CU Events Center-the first time in nearly 14 years that a regular-season home game dipped below the 5,000 mark. You’d have to go back to Dec. 22, 2011, for the last time that happened (outside of the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season).
Through six home games, CU is averaging 5,474 fans per game. That’s a noticeable drop from last year’s nonconference slate, which averaged 6,048 fans per game (excluding the high-profile Colorado State matchup).
The good news? The Big 12 schedule should help boost those numbers.
Kansas and Arizona are both coming to Boulder, and those games historically draw big crowds-Kansas brought in over 11,000 last year, while Arizona’s last visit pulled more than 10,500.
Still, with the Big 12 trimming its conference slate back to 18 games, that’s one less home game on the calendar. And with nonconference attendance trending down, it’s something to keep an eye on-especially for an athletic department already navigating financial challenges.
Around the Rim: Rankings, Free Throws & Rams Scouting
There’s more than just bragging rights on the line Saturday. Colorado jumped seven spots to No. 39 in the latest NET rankings, while Colorado State sits at No.
- That makes this an important early-season measuring stick for both programs-and a potential résumé booster come March.
The Rams are coming off a solid showing at the Battle 4 Atlantis, going 2-1 with wins over Wichita State and South Florida after a narrow loss to Virginia Tech. They’re battle-tested and won’t be intimidated by CU’s record.
One area where the Buffs have shown real growth this season? Getting to the line.
A year ago, CU players reached double-digit free throw attempts just twice over 35 games. This season?
It’s already happened five times. Freshman Isaiah Johnson has been particularly aggressive, hitting that mark three times-including in each of the last two games.
Sebastian Rancik has done it twice as well. That kind of assertiveness is a good sign, especially for a young team still learning how to win in different ways.
Final Word
The Buffs are unbeaten, but they’re not untested. Saturday’s showdown in Fort Collins will be their first true road game-and a real gut check.
If they want to keep this historic run going, they’ll need to bring more than just talent. They’ll need poise, toughness, and a whole lot more urgency than they showed in the first half against Cal Baptist.
Because this time, there won’t be any home cooking to bail them out.