The Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team enters the 2024-25 season with a mix of optimism and uncertainty, driven by significant changes both on and off the court. The biggest transformation is their move from the Pac-12 to the highly competitive Big 12 conference. Last season, Colorado exceeded expectations by finishing third in the Pac-12 despite being the eighth-best team in the preseason. Early non-conference wins set a positive tone, but a series of tough injuries, including setbacks to Cody Williams and Tristan Da Silva, added unpredictability to the season. But key victories over teams like Miami, USC and Utah revealed the Buffs’ resilience, while defeats against teams like Arizona and UCLA underlined areas of inconsistency.

In the Pac-12 Tournament, Colorado showed impressive strength, beating Utah and Washington State before falling to Oregon in the finals. This performance left their NCAA Tournament prospects uncertain, but ultimately the Buffs secured the 10th seed in the South region. Their thrilling first round victory over Florida, thanks to a stunning shot from KJ Simpson, was an unforgettable moment for fans. Although their tournament series ended with a close loss to Marquette in the second round, Colorado’s accomplishments throughout the season left an impression.

The offseason created excitement as three Buffaloes were drafted into the NBA; Cody Williams to Utah Jazz, Tristan Da Silva to the Orlando Magic and K.J. Simpson To the Charlotte Hornets. Despite these departures, Colorado looked to the transfer portal for reinforcements. The Buffs added guard Trevor Baskin from Division II Colorado Mesa, forward Andrej Jakimovski from Washington State and center Elijah Malone from Grace College. Each player has unique strengths, and Jakimovski’s shooting and court awareness are expected to be particularly valuable.

One notable development is Tad Boyle’s adaptation to the evolving landscape of college basketball, specifically the NIL and the transfer portal. Boyle voices his preference for recruiting and developing high school players rather than relying on transfers and NIL deals, which he feels takes the focus away from long-term growth. However, as the NIL and transfer opportunities become more prominent in college basketball, there is concern that programs that do not embrace this trend may have trouble remaining competitive.

Entering the Big 12, Colorado faces a formidable roster of nationally ranked teams, including Kansas, Houston and Baylor. This move puts the Buffs in one of the toughest conferences, where they will compete against five of the top ten programs in the country. Pre-season rankings are modest; Colorado sits 11th out of 16 Big 12 teams, with no players appearing on major watch lists. However, Tad Boyle, known for his steady approach, may see this weak position as an advantage. Ultimately, with the pressure on other top-tier programs, Boyle’s Enthusiasts may find opportunities to make a name for themselves in the intense competition of the Big 12.

Colorado Buffaloes 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Schedule

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