Colorado Last season: 19-15, lost in the NIT. Nickname: Buffaloes. Coach: Tad Boyle. Conference: Pac-12. Who’s gone: G Thomas Akyazili, F Wesley Gordon, G Josh Fortune, G/F Xavier Johnson, G Bryce Peters, G Derrick White. Who’s back: G Dominique Collier.
Colorado
Last season: 19-15, lost in the NIT.
Nickname: Buffaloes.
Coach: Tad Boyle.
Conference: Pac-12.
Who’s gone: G Thomas Akyazili, F Wesley Gordon, G Josh Fortune, G/F Xavier Johnson, G Bryce Peters, G Derrick White.
Who’s back: G Dominique Collier. The senior was second on the team in steals even though he missed nine games with a foot injury. G George King. He’s the team’s leading returning scorer (11.1). F Tory Miller-Stewart. He was voted the team’s most improved player after averaging 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds. F Lucas Siewert. Finished last season strong, averaging 5.1 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 11 games. G Deleon Brown.
Who’s new: G Namon Wright. A transfer from Missouri, Wright averaged 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 61 games with the Tigers. G McKinley Wright IV. The 6-foot guard was Mr. Minnesota Basketball in 2017 after averaging 23 points. G/F Tyler Bey. He was a four-star recruit.
The Skinny: King will be counted on to be a leader. He tested out for the NBA draft before deciding to return to Colorado. Collier runs the offense. The Buffaloes will be young squad, with eight freshmen on the roster. However, freshman forward Evan Battey will take an academic redshirt season under a mandate from the NCAA. If this young team can bond behind seniors Collier and King it could return to the NCAA Tournament. Colorado was picked ninth in the Pac-12 media poll.
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