2022 Record: 18-17 (8-12)
Head Coach: Tad Boyle (Career Record 328-238) (Colorado Record 272-172)
Projected Rotation:
PG: KJ Simpson (15.9 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 3.8 Ast)
SG: Julian Hammond (6.9 Pts, 2.1 Reb, 2.0 Ast)
SF: Cody Williams
PF: Tristan da Silva (15.9 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 1.3 Ast)
C: Eddie Lampkin (TCU 6.3 Pts, 5.9 Reb, 1.2 Ast)
6: SF J’Vonne Hadley (8.0 Pts, 5.9 Reb, 1.3 Ast)
7: SG Luke O’Brien (6.2 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 1.0 Ast)
8: PF Assane Diop
9: C Joe Hurlburt (RS)
10: SG Courtney Anderson
11: PG RJ Smith (RS)
12: PF Bangot Dak
SG Javon Ruffin (6.0 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 0.8 Ast) (Out for the Season w/ knee injury)
Colorado returns their 6 leading scorers and also brought in a great class of transfers and high school players that should lead them to have a much better season than this past year. The leading returning scorers are KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva both of which averaged 15.9PPG last season. Simpson took a massive leap from his freshman to sophomore season. He doubled his scoring production and also dramatically increased all other statistical categories. Simpson is a multi-talented player but areas he could improve on include taking care of the ball a bit better and improving his three point shot. da Silva has also made massive strides in his Buffaloes career. He has shown the ability to score on all levels and he also excels on the defensive end of the floor. He’s a very well-rounded player that can do a variety of things at his 6-9 frame.
The remaining returners for the Buffs this season are SF J’Vonne Hadley, SG Julian Hammond, and SG Luke O’Brien. Hadley made a tremendous jump from his time at Northeastern to the player he’s become at Colorado. He’s playing more confidently on both ends of the floor and he’s shooting a very high percentage from inside the arc. Hammond has also made a big jump from his freshman to sophomore season. He’s playing exceptionally well on the defensive side of the ball. He is a player that could be poised to have a breakout season this year. O’Brien is another player that has made significant strides in his Buffaloes career. He’s proven to be a great rebounder which isn’t too much of a surprise considering his 6-8 frame. He’s become more of a shooter as well and continues to develop an outside shot. It was reported in the summer that rising sophomore SG Javon Ruffin will miss the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury.
The lone transfer that Colorado added this offseason was TCU center Eddie Lampkin. He has been a very productive and efficient player during his time with the Horned Frogs. He’s very elite defensively for a big man and also shoots a very good mark from inside the paint. He rebounds well and also plays with a physical intensity succeeding in the best league in CBB. Colorado also had 2 players redshirt as part of the 2022 class who will be making their debuts this season. Joe Hurlburt is a 4 star 6-10 center from Minnesota who was the #138 ranked player in the class. RJ Smith is a 3 star SG out of California ranked #305 in the class.
Colorado also signed 4 freshman in the class of 2023. The class was headlined by 5 star SF and Top 10 player in the class Cody Williams. He is going to start this season as a freshman and have a pivotal role in the success of the Buffaloes. He will likely leave for the NBA Draft at the conclusion of this season. Colorado also signed PF Assane Diop a native of Senegal who played high school basketball in Colorado. He is ranked as the #100 player in the class. SG Courtney Anderson out of California ranks as the #228 player in the class. Finally, big man Bangot Dak from Nebraska is unranked and should be a developmental piece on the interior for the Buffs in the future.
Colorado has a chance to be one of the most improved high major teams in the country this season. They should have no problems making the tournament and should also finish relatively high in the Pac-12 standings this season. Colorado should be in the 3rd-5th range in the conference. They are significantly improved due to the portal addition as well as high school signees and returning players.