Isaiah Johnson’s Growth Sparks Historic Start for Colorado Buffaloes
Isaiah Johnson came into the season known for one thing: scoring. And through eight games, the freshman guard has more than lived up to that billing. But what’s quietly turning heads in Boulder is how Johnson is rounding out his game - and helping the Colorado Buffaloes make a little history in the process.
With Monday night’s 78-70 win over Cal Baptist, Colorado improved to 8-0 for the first time since the 1949-50 season. That’s not just a hot start - it’s a generational milestone. And Johnson has been right in the middle of it.
He didn’t light it up from deep this time - in fact, he didn’t hit a three for the first time all season - but he still found a way to lead the Buffs in scoring with 17 points. That’s the fourth time in eight games he’s hit that number, and once again, he did it by relentlessly attacking the rim and drawing contact.
Johnson went 9-for-11 from the free throw line, continuing a trend that’s becoming a real weapon for Colorado’s offense. This was already his third game with double-digit free throw attempts.
“He’s a finisher. He’s tough,” head coach Tad Boyle said after the game.
“Offensively, I’ve got very little to have a beef with. I have complete confidence in him when he has the ball in his hand.”
But it’s not just about putting the ball in the basket. Johnson is starting to clean up the details - and that’s where the real growth is showing.
He dished out a season-high three assists and, just as importantly, didn’t turn the ball over once. That makes five straight games - spanning over 119 minutes - without a single turnover.
Compare that to the six he had in the first three games, and you can see the trajectory.
“Definitely playing with a lot of confidence,” Johnson said. “My teammates, my coaches, they all instill that in me. We come to work every day in practice, so it’s just normal out there.”
Dak’s Defensive Presence Continues to Rise
While Johnson paced the offense, junior forward Bangot Dak made his presence felt in other ways. He didn’t have his best shooting night - just 1-for-7 from the field - but he stayed active and impactful, especially on the glass and on defense.
Dak pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, helping Colorado win the rebounding battle 41-35. He also recorded three assists with no turnovers - continuing a quietly impressive stretch of playmaking.
Over the last three games, Dak has 11 assists without a single giveaway. Add in 11 blocked shots over the past five games, and it’s clear he’s becoming a two-way force for the Buffs.
“He made a big-time defensive block there in the second half when we were remaking our run,” Boyle said. “Bangot has made tremendous strides on both sides of the ball, certainly, since the fourth game. But we all could’ve played better tonight.”
One area where Dak has shown clear improvement is on the offensive glass. Coming into the season, he had only recorded four offensive rebounds in a game once. He’s now done it in back-to-back games and has multiple offensive boards in six of eight contests.
Around the Rim
- Colorado checked in at No. 46 in the first NET rankings of the season, a solid early indicator of the team’s NCAA Tournament potential.
- The Buffs also received a single vote in this week’s AP Top 25, signaling they’re starting to gain national attention.
- Former Colorado guard Javon Ruffin had a big night for Bowling Green, knocking down five threes and scoring 17 points in an upset win over Kansas State.
- Defensively, Colorado locked down the perimeter.
Cal Baptist went just 2-for-13 from beyond the arc - the lowest three-point total by a Buffs opponent since Michigan State shot 2-for-21 in last year’s Maui Invitational.
The Takeaway
This Colorado team is still figuring some things out, but the pieces are starting to click - and the growth from young players like Isaiah Johnson and Bangot Dak is driving it. Johnson's scoring is already a known asset, but his improved decision-making and ability to draw fouls are elevating his impact. Dak, meanwhile, is becoming a reliable anchor on the glass and a versatile defender who’s making winning plays.
The Buffs aren’t just off to a hot start - they’re building something. And if this development curve continues, that early AP vote might be the first of many.