Sebastian Rancik might be in a shooting slump, but that hasn’t stopped him from making a big impact on the court. The sophomore forward's recent prowess on the boards was on full display as the Colorado Buffaloes secured an 83-69 win over Oklahoma State at the CU Events Center.
Despite his shooting struggles, Rancik pulled down 10 rebounds, helping Colorado stay competitive against a Cowboys team that edged them in total rebounds, 39-36.
CU head coach Tad Boyle praised Rancik’s ability to contribute beyond scoring. “Sebastian is figuring out how to help us win even when his shot isn’t falling,” Boyle noted. “Whether it’s rebounding, defense, or ball movement, he’s finding ways to make a difference.”
Since a tough game at Baylor where he didn’t grab a single rebound, Rancik has been on a tear, recording three double-digit rebounding games in the last four outings. He bounced back with a double-double against Arizona State, notching 17 points and 11 rebounds, followed by consistent performances against BYU and Oklahoma State.
Rancik’s season average of 5.6 rebounds per game is just shy of team leader Bangot Dak’s 6.6, but his recent surge has him averaging 5.7 rebounds in Big 12 play. Notably, he’s grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the past four games, a significant uptick from earlier in the season.
His shooting might be off - just .231 overall and 2-for-17 from three-point range since the ASU game - but the Buffs have other scoring threats. Against Oklahoma State, Dak led with 17 points, supported by Barrington Hargress with 16 and Alon Michaeli adding 12. With fewer players capable of dominating the boards, Rancik’s rebounding has become crucial.
The Buffs have now won three straight at home and look to extend that streak against Kansas State on Wednesday. The Wildcats, winless on the road in Big 12 play, are coming off a tough loss at Texas Tech and are adjusting under interim head coach Matthew Driscoll. However, they showed resilience with a home win over Baylor.
Hargress emphasized the team’s focus: “We know the strength of this league, and we’re aiming to play our best basketball as the season winds down. Each week, we’re working to improve and position ourselves for success in these challenging games.”