B
Brie Thomas
Guest
BOULDER - The once optimistic hopes for this year’s Colorado Basketball squad have faded. With talent, upperclassman and three-point shooting aplenty, nationally they had tabbed them as a darkhorse to make noise in march. As conference season has just begun and the Buffs sit at 10-4, it’s safe to say that fans, like Tad Boyle, are disappointed to this point.
Yes, CU holds impressive wins over Texas and Xavier, both of whom were ranked in the Top 25 at the time, but they also hold disastrous losses, the biggest one being a home loss to in-state rival Colorado State.
To put it simply, the Buffs aren't playing as a team and it shows on the court. They have all the parts to be a great team, but with a lack of leadership and drive, this team is headed down a dark path, especially now that Pac-12 play is underway.
The Buffs have one of the hardest schedules to start conference play in the conference, opening up with three road games, then they come home to two ranked opponents in UCLA and USC before they head back on the road to take on the Washington schools. Meaning, five of their first seven are away from the friendly Keg.
Colorado losing their first seven conference games would not be a crazy scenario. If they do start on a seven-game skid, they can kiss their chance at a NCAA tournament bid goodbye.
Something needs to change not only in the minds of the players but also with the approach of the coaches. Everyone knows Boyle is a fantastic coach, but something this year isn't clicking, whether it’s Boyle and his players not connecting or Boyle not making a big enough effort to change what his team is doing.
This team houses four fifth-year seniors and one fourth-year junior, but they each have struggled at times and neither have stepped up into the role as skipper which was vacated by Josh Scott.
The difference maker for this team might just be a leader that will instill more drive.
The team has shown spurts of leadership, whether it’s been Derrick White taking over a game with his collectiveness or Xavier Johnson putting the team’s emotions on his brow. What the two of them need to do is bring it to every single Pac-12 gym.
Experience only matters so much. Eventually, the leadership needs to be shown by whoever is willing to step up.
Next year’s team is going to have their work cut for them only returning George King, Dom Collier and Tory Miller as seniors, and they could be a part of a program that was left in shambles by the previous seniors. While the squad will be adding several highly touted recruits, leadership will remain essential. That’s why not only for this season but for the state of the program it is required that the team is properly steered and done so promptly.
Now, a NCAA tournament bid isn't everything, but it would greatly help Coach Boyle’s future recruiting. So far, the Buffs have three four-star prospects that have signed their letters of intent.
Could this resolve the Buffs problems? Maybe eventually.
But for now, this is the team Boyle has and this is the team that needs to step up. Conference play may have just started, but if the Buffs don't start to improve within these next few months, the identity of the Colorado Men’s Basketball team will remain unknown.
As the years go on, Colorado Basketball can get back to their original state on success, but something this season has to change to set the future for Boyle and this Buffs team.
Yes, CU holds impressive wins over Texas and Xavier, both of whom were ranked in the Top 25 at the time, but they also hold disastrous losses, the biggest one being a home loss to in-state rival Colorado State.
To put it simply, the Buffs aren't playing as a team and it shows on the court. They have all the parts to be a great team, but with a lack of leadership and drive, this team is headed down a dark path, especially now that Pac-12 play is underway.
The Buffs have one of the hardest schedules to start conference play in the conference, opening up with three road games, then they come home to two ranked opponents in UCLA and USC before they head back on the road to take on the Washington schools. Meaning, five of their first seven are away from the friendly Keg.
Colorado losing their first seven conference games would not be a crazy scenario. If they do start on a seven-game skid, they can kiss their chance at a NCAA tournament bid goodbye.
Something needs to change not only in the minds of the players but also with the approach of the coaches. Everyone knows Boyle is a fantastic coach, but something this year isn't clicking, whether it’s Boyle and his players not connecting or Boyle not making a big enough effort to change what his team is doing.
This team houses four fifth-year seniors and one fourth-year junior, but they each have struggled at times and neither have stepped up into the role as skipper which was vacated by Josh Scott.
The difference maker for this team might just be a leader that will instill more drive.
The team has shown spurts of leadership, whether it’s been Derrick White taking over a game with his collectiveness or Xavier Johnson putting the team’s emotions on his brow. What the two of them need to do is bring it to every single Pac-12 gym.
Experience only matters so much. Eventually, the leadership needs to be shown by whoever is willing to step up.
Next year’s team is going to have their work cut for them only returning George King, Dom Collier and Tory Miller as seniors, and they could be a part of a program that was left in shambles by the previous seniors. While the squad will be adding several highly touted recruits, leadership will remain essential. That’s why not only for this season but for the state of the program it is required that the team is properly steered and done so promptly.
Now, a NCAA tournament bid isn't everything, but it would greatly help Coach Boyle’s future recruiting. So far, the Buffs have three four-star prospects that have signed their letters of intent.
Could this resolve the Buffs problems? Maybe eventually.
But for now, this is the team Boyle has and this is the team that needs to step up. Conference play may have just started, but if the Buffs don't start to improve within these next few months, the identity of the Colorado Men’s Basketball team will remain unknown.
As the years go on, Colorado Basketball can get back to their original state on success, but something this season has to change to set the future for Boyle and this Buffs team.
