BOULDER - The Colorado men’s basketball team walked into Wednesday morning with new practice gear in the locker room and a simple signal hanging over the start of official work: it’s time to get rolling.
The Buffaloes opened practice for the 2026-27 season at the CU Events Center, and head coach Tad Boyle said even something as small as the gear made the day feel different.
"They have practice gear on so it feels more official," Colorado Head Coach Tad Boyle said. "It may seem like a little thing, but it feels like it's time."
Wednesday was the first of 30 practices Colorado will have before its home season-opener against Abilene Christian on Monday, Nov. 2. Boyle said the summer was about laying the groundwork, but the real push begins now.
"I'm not that urgent in the summer, but the summer is about teaching, learning and getting reps, and we didn't put anything new today that we hadn't worked on this summer," Boyle said. "Now we'll do that here as practice moves on and when we put stuff in they'll have to process that mentally and come back the next day and be ready to execute. How quickly we can do that will determine how good we'll be in November and December."
A major part of that process is blending in 11 newcomers, a group that includes both younger players and experienced additions. Boyle enters his 17th season leading Colorado, and while his experience will matter, so will the players already in the building.
Barrington Hargress gave the Buffaloes a strong guard presence last season, and three sophomores - Josiah Sanders, Ian Inman and Jalin Holland - are now in position to take another step in their second year. That returning core figures to be central as the team tries to build chemistry and settle in quickly.
"The (being) cohesive part is something we've been trying to hammer in," Sanders said. "Just making sure we're one unit, and we've been working on that a lot throughout the summer; coming together to make sure we have an environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves."
Colorado season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 303-492-8282 or online here. Mini plans go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 29, and single-game tickets go on sale to the general public Wednesday, Oct. 7.
In Other News...
Colorado Faces Immediate Lineup Uncertainty In Crucial Big 12 Opener
Colorado heads into its Big 12 opener against Baylor with the kind of injury report that can reshape a game plan before kickoff. The Buffaloes have already ruled out wide receiver Danny Scudero and offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter, two absences that thin out both the pass-catching group and the protection in front of the quarterback.
There are still more questions than answers around the rest of the roster, with tight end Charlie Williams and running back Damian Henderson among those listed as doubtful. The report leaves Colorado juggling lineup decisions at a time when the first conference game carries real early-season weight, and the final picture may not come into focus until much closer to game time. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Could Look Very Different For Its Big 12 Opener
Colorados first three games have already offered a little of everything, from a road upset at Georgia Tech to a reality check against Northwestern, and now the Buffaloes turn the page to their Big 12 opener against Baylor. The matchup comes with a different kind of challenge, too, because Baylor could look very different by then if several key players are back from injury, which would change the complexion of a game Colorado badly wants to steady after last week.
Julian Lewis was blunt about the need to clean things up after throwing two interceptions in the loss to Northwestern, and the Buffaloes will need that kind of response if they are going to reset the tone of their season. Baylors potential return of key pieces, including quarterback DJ Lagway, adds another layer to a conference opener that already feels like an early test of how quickly Colorado can recover from its first setback. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Needs One Transfer Receiver To Deliver Before Big 12 Play
Colorados passing game has spent the early part of the season searching for answers, especially against Power 4 opponents where the offense has not consistently found traction. Deion Sanders has made it clear the issues go beyond one game or one player, pointing to route running and consistency as areas where the receiving room has to clean things up, even as injuries have thinned the group and added more pressure to a young quarterback room led by Julian Lewis.
As Big 12 play approaches, the Buffs are still waiting on a transfer receiver to become the steady option the offense can lean on. Kam Perry is among the players Sanders has singled out as needing to sharpen the details, and Colorados hopes of getting the passing attack on track may depend on one of those newcomers turning promise into reliability before the schedule stiffens again. [Read more 🡒]