Forward Bangot Dak looks for an open teammate to pass to during the game against Cincinnati at the CU Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado Men’s basketball team lost their fifth consecutive game to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats on Tuesday night in front of a home crowd at the CU Events Center. This brings the Buffaloes to a 9-7 record on the season, making them 0-5 in Big 12 Conference play.
Although the Buffaloes kept themselves in a game that was back and forth at times, they once again lost a matchup that was within reach in the second half. This followed their recent losses to No. 3 Iowa State, UCF and No. 21 West Virginia.
From the opening tip, the Buffaloes struggled offensively. The struggle was glaringly obvious by the 32% field goal average posted by the Buffs off 9-28 shooting. Four of these first half field goals came from sophomore Bangot Dak, including an exciting alley-oop dunk assisted by senior Trevor Baskin. His three pointer was the first of only two three-point baskets for the Buffs in the first half. Their 2-8 three-point shooting performance in the first half produced a 25% average from downtown, a mediocre start to the game.
Dak’s 10 first half points led the Buffaloes offensively. He also blocked five shots on the defensive end in the first half, including a possession where he blocked three Cincinnati shots in a row. The size and versatility of Dak was on full display in what was an otherwise unimpressive first half for Colorado.
Forward Andrej Jakimovski attempts to gain a point during the game against Cincinnati at the CU Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Cincinnati, on the other hand, played a much more efficient first half. They shot a stronger 39.4% field goal percentage in the first half, converting on 13 of their 33 attempts. This included shooting 5-11 from three-point range, posting a 45.5% percentage. Dan Skillings Jr. led the Bearcats with seven first half points, while seven other Bearcats contributed offensively.
When compared to the five Buffaloes who scored in the first half, Cincinnati received a much more evenly distributed contribution from their squad. Noticeably absent from the game were both Malone and RJ Smith due to injury, two Colorado players who could have provided useful production
They also took good care of the ball, only giving up four turnovers. Simultaneously, the Bearcats utilized the offensive opportunities that Colorado gave them, scoring 10 points off the seven turnovers that the Buffaloes gave up in the first twenty minutes of regulation.
Despite their struggles, the Buffaloes began the second half only down seven, 34-27. Dak continued to lead the way, finishing the game with a career high of 19 points. He also finished with an amazing eight blocks and eight rebounds. At the game’s conclusion, he recognized that his defensive and offensive performances helped elevate each other throughout the night.
“I was letting my defense affect the way I play offensively. I was blocking shots and creating energy, so I just think that helped me offensively,” Dak said following his career performance.
Sebastian Rancik and Julian Hammond III both finished with nine points. The Buffaloes would only knock down one more three pointer after the first half, finishing 3-13 for a 23.1% three-point percentage on the night. While they finished with a higher field goal percentage than the Bearcats, 41.1% versus 36.7%, the Buffaloes faltered at the free-throw line. Both teams shot 21 free throws, but the Buffaloes knocked down only 13 of those, while Cincinnati hit 16 from the free-throw line.
Three of the Buffaloes crucial free throw attempts were taken by Andrej Jakimovski following a three point attempt that he was fouled on. With only two minutes remaining in the game and the Buffaloes down four, these free throws could have made it a one possession game. Unfortunately, Jakimovski missed all three attempts. These misses would prove to be game defining. Cincinnati’s Simas Lukosius would nail his third three pointer of the night on the next possession to make the game 60 to 53. Free throws would go on to seal the deal for the Bearcats in the following moments.
Guard Julian Hammond III fakes out a Cincinnati player during the game against Cincinnati at the CU Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Head coach Tad Boyle voiced frustration in the team’s fifth consecutive loss at home. Last year, the team lost only one game at home and has been historically strong in the CU Events Center. Rather than rely on the superstar talent that last year’s team had, he believes the team must fall back on the strength of its core.
“We had a chance to win this game tonight, and we didn’t get it done. What are you going to do? The guys battle, they play hard and compete, I’ll give them that,” Boyle said. “We’ve got some good players on this team. I don’t think we have a great player, but we have a lot of good players on this team. Some of them aren’t playing very good. We’re a team that has to rely on each other, and we don’t have to be perfect for each other, but we have to rely on each other.”
Moving forward, the Buffaloes will need to find the return of consistently good play from their group of good players. While lacking the presence of star players that at times bailed the squad out last year, the team has shown that they can win when they are firing on all cylinders.
The Buffaloes will return to the CU Events Center for a late night matchup against BYU Tuesday, a game that will tip off at 9 p.m. Considering the hole that they find themselves in, the matchup is a must win for the Buffaloes. They will need it to find the momentum that could help carry them through the remainder of a difficult Big 12 schedule. Look for the Buffaloes to rely on each other if they are to return to the win column.
Contact CU Independent assistant sports editor Wilson Georges at Wilson.Georges@colorado.edu
