Colorado's Season Ends, But Future Shines Bright
In the aftermath of a tough loss to Oklahoma State, which likely marks the end of Colorado's season, head coach Tad Boyle took a moment to praise the heart and skill of his starting backcourt. Despite the sting of a 92-83 defeat in the Big 12 tournament's first round, Boyle's focus was on the remarkable synergy between his players.
Barrington Hargress, the point guard, has been a cornerstone for the Buffaloes, yet he cast his MVP vote for freshman Isaiah Johnson. Johnson, who set a new scoring record for freshmen in the program, returned the favor by voting for Hargress. This mutual admiration highlights the selfless nature of the duo.
Boyle emphasized, “Isaiah’s success owes a lot to Barrington. And Barrington’s impressive assist-turnover ratio?
Isaiah played a big part in that. They’re a great team.”
As Colorado looks ahead, retaining this talent is crucial. Boyle plans to hold individual meetings with his players before they head off for spring break. With only one senior, Elijah Malone, graduating, the team faces potential changes in the transfer portal era.
The Buffs have shown significant improvement, moving from a 3-17 record last year to a 7-11 finish this season in one of the nation's toughest conferences. However, a major roster shake-up could disrupt this progress.
“In today’s world, the decision rests with the players,” Boyle said. “They came to Colorado for a reason.
They’ll decide to stay or leave. I’ll continue to be honest and straightforward with them.”
The retention challenge extends beyond Hargress and Johnson. Junior forward Bangot Dak has shown tremendous growth, achieving a career-high 22 points in two of the last three games.
Sophomore Sebastian Rancik, despite missing the final games due to injury, ended as the third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. Freshmen Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman have also made significant contributions, hinting at their untapped potential.
Boyle remarked, “Bangot improved steadily, and so did our entire team. The future is incredibly bright if we keep this group together.
It’s up to them now. I’m committed, and so is the school.
But ultimately, it’s their choice. Coaching these guys has been a joy.”
As the Buffs contemplate their next steps, one thing is clear: the foundation is strong, and the future holds promise if the team can maintain its core.