Junior guard KJ Simpson moves up the court during the game against Utah at the CU Events Center on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado has reentered the Big 12 after being away for over 13 years. This season will be marked with big venues, high intensity schools and games we didn’t see in the PAC 12.
Going into this season the Buffs have been ranked 15th out of the 16 in confrence teams. In Colorados previous Big 12 tenure they were ranked last for four consecutive years (2006- 2009). Coming off a 26-11 season last year the Buffs are ready to fight coming into this new league.
“The Big 12 [is the] best league in the country the last 9 years…I’ve got some bittersweet memories of the league but it’s really good to be back and a part of the Big12” coach Tad Boyle said at the teams media day.
The Buffs open their season Monday November 4th against Eastern Washington University at home. This game will be just the beginning for what the Buffs have in store this season, seeing teams such as Texas Christian University, Michigan State and Oklahoma State University, all well seasoned Big 12 teams.
These well built seasoned teams will be a challenge for what they’re calling the Buffs a “rebuilding year”.
“There’s a difference between building a roster and building a program,” Boyle said. “We’ve tried to build a program at Colorado that’s been a sustained success. I think you know and I think we’ve done a good job at that for the most part. Certainly there’s a lot of things I hope to do before we as a staff end our tenure.”
Boyle described this year’s roster as being a new team with a lot of talent, coming in with 3 graduate student transfers. However, this brings less team chemistry and less seasoned players starting out this season.
In addition to this, Colorado has some key players and guys to lookout for: Javon Ruffin, 6’5 Guard from New Orleans has been with the Buffs for 3 years including a red shirt season and coming off an injury from April 2024. Originally Ruffins was supposed to be out for the whole season but rehab went better than expected.
Transfer graduate student Trevor Baskin coming from Colorado Mesa University was a key player over the last 4 years. Baskins came off of being a three-time All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference First Team selection, and two-time all-region pick. Averaging 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and shot 56.6 percent over four seasons at Colorado Mesa.
Colorado being a young team, some freshmen to keep an eye out for are; Sebastian Rancik who averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds – along with 45 blocks. A four-star prospect ranked 70th in the nation exiting his senior year. Along with Andrew Crawford who averaged 14.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists as a senior. A four-star prospect and the top player in the state of Colorado for the Class of 24.
These young players mixed with graduate students can help lead the Buffs to a program building year. The aspect of keeping a strong team connection to boost the program is a crucial part heading into this year.
“If you watch Colorado Basketball from the beginning to the end you’re going to see a lot of growth alot of improvement as the season goes on.” Boyle said.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Lauren Heidt at Lauren.Heidt@colorado.edu
