Graduate center Elijah Malone and sophomore guard Felix Kossaras box out a defender during Colorado’s game against Montana State at the CU Events Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
Two years removed from their thrilling buzzer-beating win over No. 7 Florida in the NCAA Tournament, the Colorado Buffaloes return only one player from that roster: Bangot Dak.
Last year, Dak averaged 8.2 points per game along with 3.9 rebounds. The Buffs, as a team, finished at the bottom of the Big 12, going 3–17 in conference play and 14–21 overall.
Returners-
With only five returning players from last year, head coach Tad Boyle will rely on new faces to step up while leaning on Dak, Sebastian Rancik and Elijah Malone to help set the standard.
Bangot Dak-
“[Dak is] an integral part of this team,” Boyle said. “His skill set is unique, and we believe consistency on both ends of the floor is what we need from him.”
With a breakout year expected, Dak’s performance in CU’s exhibition match was limited. He made just four shots from the field on seven attempts, for a total ten points.
“You want to set that standard for the younger players so they know what to expect when they come in,” Boyle said. “I look at a guy like [Dak], who was part of that 26-win team two years ago and won two NCAA Tournament games. He knows what that looks like. He knows what good leadership is. He was also part of a team last year that finished dead last in the Big 12, so he knows what that looks like.”
Despite Boyle’s claims of growth in Dak’s leadership, he appeared less assertive on the court, particularly in the first half. Dak used his nearly 7-foot frame to earn second-chance points and recorded two assists, but he did not show the level of vocal leadership Boyle has discussed.
“He didn’t play as well as he’s capable of playing today on either side of the ball,” Boyle said.
Elijah Malone-
Another returning player, senior Elijah Malone, shot 50% from the field on four attempts in 18 minutes of game time – the fewest of any starter.
“Elijah has a really good low post score,” Boyle said. “When he gets the ball down there, he’s a presence. And so teams either have to double him or he’s going to usually score or get fouled, you know, eight times out of ten.”
Malone returns as a large physical presence for the Buffs, standing in at 6-foot-10, 270 pounds. Boyle emphasized the importance of being a physical team in a physical conference, something that Malone will bring come opening day.
“Leadership is going to be a big, big thing that we’re going to expect from him this season,” Boyle said.
Malone also brought down nine rebounds, including two offensive boards. His physical play style will help bring the Buffs some much needed grit this season.
Sebastian Rancik-
Rancik averaged 5.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. While Rancik didn’t play in the exhibition match, coach Boyle sang his praises during media day.
“Sebastian, his ability to seek, absorb and finish with contact has gotten better again,” Boyle said. “There’ll be two guys guarding him this year, because he’s going to be one of our weapons.”
In Colorado’s overtime win against Eastern Washington, Rancik recorded a career high 24 points – a preview of what’s to come. With his performance, Rancik will also look to step into more of a leadership role within the young team.
New Faces-
Colorado will face all six Big 12 teams that appear in the AP Preseason Top 25 (No. 2 Houston, No. 8 BYU, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 13 Arizona, No. 16 Iowa State and No. 19 Kansas). While the Buffs have their work cut out for them, head coach Tad Boyle will lean on a new-look roster this year.
“What kind of history do we want to create with this year’s team?” Boyle said at Monday’s annual CU Winter Sports Media Day. “I do believe that we have enough talent on this team. We can have a fantastic year. We can win a lot of games. We want to make Buff Nation proud of their basketball program.”
Barrington Hargress-
The UC Riverside transfer will step into a different role than the one in which he averaged over 20 points and 1.1 steals per game. His presence will bring the grit and defensive firepower that the Buffs lacked last year.
In the Buffs’ exhibition match against Grace College, Hargress shot just 14.2% on seven attempts, finishing with five points and one steal.
“Barrington came out, you know, he’s 1-for-7 from the field today, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a great defender for us,” Boyle said.
During the exhibition win, the 6-foot-1 Hargress did a lot of the little things including boxing out on rebounds, allowing for good rebounding. Hargress ended as only a +5 but has a lot of room for growth.
Against Eastern Washington, Hargress put up 14 points and two steals in an energetic showing, giving the Buffs an extra spark.
Junior guard Barrington Hargress dribbles the ball during Colorado’s game against Montana State at the CU Events Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
The Freshman Class-
The Buffs hit recruiting hard in the off-season, bringing in seven true freshmen they can develop. The freshman class includes three four-star recruits and two three-star recruits.
Isaiah Johnson, a three-star recruit from Valley Village, California, will be a wildcard weapon for Colorado this year. Johnson scored a game high 21 points on 70% shooting from the field and made two-thirds of his three-point attempts.
“He’s a great shooter. When he gets his feet set, he can really play in the pick-and-roll. But to me, what makes him who he is is his fearlessness,” Boyle said. “He has toughness and isn’t afraid of anybody.”
Still, his game is raw and will have plenty of ups and downs across the long season. In the Buffs’ season opener against Montana State, Johnson powered Colorado to a win with 24 points all in the second half. He has been reliable throughout the short season so far, with 17 points, two steals and two assists against Eastern Washington.
The second highest scorer in the Buffs’ exhibition game was fellow freshman Jalin Holland with 14 points on a team-high 71.4% shooting.
“Yeah, it was amazing, actually,” Holland said about making his Buffalo debut. “Just all this coming together, seeing it from summer, being here, it’s great.”
With eight total freshmen on the roster, the young guys will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves across the season.
“Don’t count the time you’re out there. Just make the time count that you’re out there,” Boyle said to his young players.
Australia Summer Trip-
Over the summer, the team was able to travel to Australia for a four-game exhibition to gain some experience.
“That trip was so important to us,” Boyle said. “If you have a bunch of freshmen or you have a bunch of transfers, they’re still new, you have to get them used to your system and your terminology and what you expect.”
With so many freshmen, Boyle also has a lot of options to choose from – a massive change from last year.
“Last year’s team faced the physicality of this league and the way the game is officiated, which is where depth comes in,” Boyle said during media day. “We know we have some inexperience, but that’s why the summer was so important.”
Exhibition vs. Grace College-
Colorado looked discouraging in Buffs fans’ first look at the black and gold during the team’s 92–66 exhibition win over the Grace College Lancers. Colorado trailed 37–34 at the half before coming back in the second. The Buffs took a slow, methodical approach, trying to find the open man for an easy score.
Oftentimes, they would get burnt as the shifty Lancers took advantage of the open looks Colorado gave them, going on a 9-0 run to start the game.
“They’re at home, and they want to play well. And so, yeah, there were definitely some jitters,” Boyle said after their exhibition game. “But we showed some youth there that first half for sure. But hopefully, again, we learn from that.”
As the second half started, the Buffs began to push the pace, applying a full-court press defensively, which opened up the offense and helped Colorado find its groove in transition and while going downhill. Boyle emphasized how important it was for his team to move in those situations, especially when playing at altitude.
“We know that’s an advantage, but it’s only an advantage if we maintain a fast pace,” Boyle said. “And that’s what I want our guys to understand, like the defense can energize the offense, because, again, you’re going to miss shots sometimes.”
The latest Big 12 preseason coaches poll puts CU at 15th out of 16 teams, receiving 37 points; three ahead of 16th place Arizona State, and two behind 14th ranked UCF.
Still, while the step forward may be small this season, it’s a step in the right direction all the same.
“It’s going to be a fun team to watch grow and develop before your eyes, before my eyes, before their eyes, and there’ll be some ups, there’ll be some downs,” Boyle said. “I look forward to having a great season.”
After wins over Montana State and Eastern Washington, Colorado will host Providence on Friday, Nov. 14 at the CU Events Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT and will be streamed live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jake Chau at jake.chau@colorado.edu.
