Junior guard Barrington Hargress goes for a layup during the game against Providence College at the CU Events Center on Nov. 14, 2025. (Peter FitzGerald/CU Independent)
In a game where the tempo was raised, Barrington Hargress stepped up for Colorado men’s basketball’s 97-88 win over Providence College on Friday night. The Buffaloes (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) went wire for wire against Big East opposition, only trailing for 20 seconds in the contest.
Hargress led the charge for the University of Colorado Boulder, finishing with a double-double of 15 points and a career-high 11 assists. The transfer guard commanded the floor in transition, only turning the ball over once.
“Providence’s high pace played right into the strengths of our group,” the senior guard said postgame. “We thrive playing on the break and can wear teams out at this altitude. Our guys got up for it and were able to match that [pace].”
The UC Riverside transfer’s shot got going early, as Colorado used Providence’s aggression to their advantage. His confidence and leadership were on full display, something the young Colorado team has been looking for. By the first under-12 timeout, he already had three assists.
The Friars (2-2, 0-0 Big East), meanwhile, arrived in Boulder with all the trademarks of a physical Northeast basketball program. But in what was arguably Colorado’s toughest non-conference matchup, center Elijah Malone beat Providence at their own game. The Colorado senior notched 17 points on 7-10 from the court in only 23 minutes.
“He feels much more confident and calm this year for us,” Colorado head coach Tad Boyle said afterwards. “You hear his voice every day in practice and in timeouts now, I can’t say enough about him.”
The Friars struggled to contain the center. Malone finished through contact multiple times at the rim and took advantage of Providence when they switched on screens. They had no answer for him, leading to 30 points in the paint for CU by halftime.
With the Buffaloes ahead by one at the break, Providence found its groove to begin the second half. They briefly took the lead for the first and only time all night at 40-39, but Hargress immediately responded on the other end.
The Colorado defense also improved from the first two games on the perimeter. A Providence team that had made 13 three-pointers in their previous game versus Penn only hit five against the Buffs.
Friar guard Jason Edwards did all he could with his shotmaking on the offensive end, leading his team in scoring with 24. But, as soon as Providence looked set to make it a nail-biting contest, in came the Buffs’ avalanche.
Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson dodges a block during the game against Providence College at the CU Events Center on Nov. 14, 2025. (Peter FitzGerald/CU Independent)
Colorado hit six straight shots, including a Malone three-pointer that stretched the Buffs’ lead to two possessions with a handful of minutes remaining. And when former CU assistant, and now Providence head coach, Kim English’s team lost steam, it was Colorado’s freshman Isaiah Johnson to deliver the dagger blow with a three of his own.
For a Buffaloes team that is still trying to find its identity, this victory can set the tone for the rest of the season. Coach Boyle’s rotation might’ve gone nine players deep, but it was his veteran leaders in Hargress and Malone that rose to the moment. And if that duo can continue to lead, Colorado might have found the formula that can sustain them to reach a higher ceiling ahead.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Shane Holcombe at shane.holcombe@colorado.edu.
