As the college basketball season heats up, Colorado's frontcourt depth is being put to the test. With at least five games left, the Buffaloes might need to lean on center Elijah Malone, despite his recent struggles. Malone, now in his sixth year, has found it challenging to stay effective in limited minutes, often due to foul trouble.
During Colorado's recent win against Oklahoma State, Malone fouled out after just over five minutes of play. While Alon Michaeli stepped up with a much-needed performance off the bench, consistent contributions from the frontcourt have been elusive this February.
Coach Tad Boyle emphasized the importance of utilizing Malone effectively. "When he’s in there, we’ve got to get him the ball on the low block, where he’s most effective," Boyle noted.
"He’s been struggling, but we’re staying positive. When he gets his chance, he needs to make the most of it."
Malone showed promise early against Oklahoma State, hitting his first field goal since mid-January. However, foul trouble quickly derailed his game, picking up four fouls in just over two minutes in the second half. This isn’t the first time Malone has fouled out quickly, as seen in a previous game against West Virginia.
Michaeli filled the gap with a 12-point performance, surpassing his scoring total from the past six games combined. Yet, he too has faced difficulties against the more physical forwards in the Big 12. Meanwhile, freshman Tacko Ifaola has seen limited action recently, despite having a stretch of consistent minutes earlier.
Looking ahead, Colorado's matchup against Kansas State brings an intriguing battle between two Johnsons. CU's Isaiah Johnson, a standout freshman, is making waves in the Big 12. On the other side, K-State's Nate Johnson, a seasoned guard with accolades from his time at Akron, poses a significant threat alongside prolific scorer PJ Haggerty.
Kansas State, though struggling with a .429 field goal percentage in conference play, excels from beyond the arc, thanks largely to Haggerty and Nate Johnson. Coach Boyle is keenly aware of the challenge, describing Nate Johnson as a "big, strong guard" capable of scoring and distributing effectively.
As the teams prepare to clash, Colorado sits at No. 71 in the NET rankings, with Kansas State at No. 100.
Isaiah Johnson is on the brink of history, needing just 15 points to match a freshman scoring record at CU. Meanwhile, Kansas State is still searching for its first Big 12 road win this season.
With the stage set for an exciting showdown, all eyes will be on how these key players perform under the spotlight at the CU Events Center.