Games thread- MEN'S BBall opens Big 12 play hosting #3 Iowa St. (Monday, 12/30/24; 7:00 PM; CBS Sports Net)

[AztecBuff]

Men's basketball (9-2) opens up conference play with a rematch, this time in Boulder (they lost by 28 at the Maui Invitational), against the #3 ranked Iowa State Cyclones (ISU; 10-1). The game is scheduled for Monday, December 30th at the Events Center, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM MT.

In the latest NET rankings (as of games played 12/22 ; available at https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings), CU is at #77 and ISU #8.

The game is scheduled to be on the CBS Sports Network (Net) for those whose TV / cord cutting subscription includes access to that channel. (Further info and links for media options available near the bottom of this post.)

Go Buffs!!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Links with more more info on ISU:

Roster - https://cyclones.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats - https://cyclones.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats
Schedule - https://cyclones.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Their preview article - https://cyclones.com/news/2024/12/28/mens-basketball-no-3-iowa-state-at-colorado-primer.aspx
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Media links:

Live video: The game is scheduled to be shown on CBS Sports Network. (For those with the proper subscription, I hope it will also be available to stream on the CBS Sports and/ or Paramount Plus apps and website(s) (https://www.cbssports.com/watch/cbs-sports-network ).)

Live audio - If like last season, the games will usually be available on AM 630 in the Denver/ Boulder area and maybe other stations in the Buff radio network. In addition, a free audio stream will be available at https://cubuffs.com/watch/?Live=2998&type=Live.

Link to link to live stats (All games) - http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=colo . The specific link for this game is https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=546204.

Game notes (Note- Left empty for games that don't have any as I type this.) - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2024/12/28/CU_Game_Notes_Iowa_State.pdf

 

[BuffsNYC]

CBS Sports Network. WTaF? Truck stop 12 sucks.

 

[torero]

CBS Sports Network. WTaF? Truck stop 12 sucks.

A network that has significantly bigger distribution than the PAC-12 network did.

 

[BuffsNYC]

A network that has significantly bigger distribution than the PAC-12 network did.

Not at my house.

 

[Scotch]

Not at my house.

 

[Bisonic]

Article in Buffzone from Pat Rooney talking about CU's poor attendance: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/12...nference-attendance-lags-at-cu-events-center/. Quotes from Boyle go like this:

• Quite frankly, I think the core of our fan base for the basketball program has been very loyal and good. But if people think that the nonconference attendance is going to allow us to be successful in the Big 12 as we move forward, unless it changes, they’re sorely mistaken. We’ve got to fill this thing up. Starting December 30th,” Boyle said after the Bellarmine win.
• “(Bellarmine) was a step in the right direction. (Saturday) was a great day to honor the football team and Travis and Shedeur. Had no problem with that at all.”
• “I would like to see this place sold out every night,” Boyle said. “Like it is in Ames, Iowa. Like it is in Lawrence, Kansas. Like it is in Waco, Texas, and all the places that we’re going to play. If it is, it is. If it isn’t, it isn’t. There’s nothing I can do about it. My job is to get our team better.”

Apologies if others have posted this recently, but with a home non-conference schedule that includes names like Pomona-Pitzer, Eastern Wash, CS Fullerton, UNC, Bellarmine, Harvard, Pacific, S. Dakota St. and the BIG one - CSU - Boyle has zero reason to bitch. This home schedule he's put together is pitiful. Boulder is about a 2 hour round trip for me. I'm driving up there on dark weeknights in December to see these awful teams?

I understand it's really tough to get teams to play at altitude far away from their home campuses but if this the best Boyle can do, go on the road for ALL YOUR GAMES. I also understand that our Athletic Department has skipped over our basketball programs, seemingly happy to break even. But all the programs you're comparing CU to started by great coaches bringing in great players. The fans show up in those places because of the quality of the product; that doesn't happen by magic.

Last complaint: "My job is to get our team better.” Um, it's a hell of a lot more than that Tad. It starts by assembling a team that competes at the top levels of the sport. Your record on that has been spotty, despite last year's solid season. It continues with scheduling teams that fans want to come see.

Tad's run in Boulder has been more successful than I expected, but never able to get to the next level. Sounds like bumping his head on the ceiling might be wearing on him.

 

[Buffnik]

Article in Buffzone from Pat Rooney talking about CU's poor attendance: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/12...nference-attendance-lags-at-cu-events-center/. Quotes from Boyle go like this:

• Quite frankly, I think the core of our fan base for the basketball program has been very loyal and good. But if people think that the nonconference attendance is going to allow us to be successful in the Big 12 as we move forward, unless it changes, they’re sorely mistaken. We’ve got to fill this thing up. Starting December 30th,” Boyle said after the Bellarmine win.
• “(Bellarmine) was a step in the right direction. (Saturday) was a great day to honor the football team and Travis and Shedeur. Had no problem with that at all.”
• “I would like to see this place sold out every night,” Boyle said. “Like it is in Ames, Iowa. Like it is in Lawrence, Kansas. Like it is in Waco, Texas, and all the places that we’re going to play. If it is, it is. If it isn’t, it isn’t. There’s nothing I can do about it. My job is to get our team better.”

Apologies if others have posted this recently, but with a home non-conference schedule that includes names like Pomona-Pitzer, Eastern Wash, CS Fullerton, UNC, Bellarmine, Harvard, Pacific, S. Dakota St. and the BIG one - CSU - Boyle has zero reason to bitch. This home schedule he's put together is pitiful. Boulder is about a 2 hour round trip for me. I'm driving up there on dark weeknights in December to see these awful teams?

I understand it's really tough to get teams to play at altitude far away from their home campuses but if this the best Boyle can do, go on the road for ALL YOUR GAMES. I also understand that our Athletic Department has skipped over our basketball programs, seemingly happy to break even. But all the programs you're comparing CU to started by great coaches bringing in great players. The fans show up in those places because of the quality of the product; that doesn't happen by magic.

Last complaint: "My job is to get our team better.” Um, it's a hell of a lot more than that Tad. It starts by assembling a team that competes at the top levels of the sport. Your record on that has been spotty, despite last year's solid season. It continues with scheduling teams that fans want to come see.

Tad's run in Boulder has been more successful than I expected, but never able to get to the next level. Sounds like bumping his head on the ceiling might be wearing on him.

Shouldn't have to market the opponent to draw a good crowd, more than a few dozen students, or have solid out season tickets.

CU and its fans have failed Tad.

Not only has he not been given resources, but people don't even show up - then have the nerve to justify it with "but he hasn't gotten over the hump to become a Sweet 16 level program and this year's team wasn't supposed to be good so it's Tad's fault people aren't excited".

I'm fvcking sick of the CU basketball fanbase and the treatment of the program by the AD and administration.

 

[hokiehead]

Article in Buffzone from Pat Rooney talking about CU's poor attendance: https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/12...nference-attendance-lags-at-cu-events-center/. Quotes from Boyle go like this:

• Quite frankly, I think the core of our fan base for the basketball program has been very loyal and good. But if people think that the nonconference attendance is going to allow us to be successful in the Big 12 as we move forward, unless it changes, they’re sorely mistaken. We’ve got to fill this thing up. Starting December 30th,” Boyle said after the Bellarmine win.
• “(Bellarmine) was a step in the right direction. (Saturday) was a great day to honor the football team and Travis and Shedeur. Had no problem with that at all.”
• “I would like to see this place sold out every night,” Boyle said. “Like it is in Ames, Iowa. Like it is in Lawrence, Kansas. Like it is in Waco, Texas, and all the places that we’re going to play. If it is, it is. If it isn’t, it isn’t. There’s nothing I can do about it. My job is to get our team better.”

Apologies if others have posted this recently, but with a home non-conference schedule that includes names like Pomona-Pitzer, Eastern Wash, CS Fullerton, UNC, Bellarmine, Harvard, Pacific, S. Dakota St. and the BIG one - CSU - Boyle has zero reason to bitch. This home schedule he's put together is pitiful. Boulder is about a 2 hour round trip for me. I'm driving up there on dark weeknights in December to see these awful teams?

I understand it's really tough to get teams to play at altitude far away from their home campuses but if this the best Boyle can do, go on the road for ALL YOUR GAMES. I also understand that our Athletic Department has skipped over our basketball programs, seemingly happy to break even. But all the programs you're comparing CU to started by great coaches bringing in great players. The fans show up in those places because of the quality of the product; that doesn't happen by magic.

Last complaint: "My job is to get our team better.” Um, it's a hell of a lot more than that Tad. It starts by assembling a team that competes at the top levels of the sport. Your record on that has been spotty, despite last year's solid season. It continues with scheduling teams that fans want to come see.

Tad's run in Boulder has been more successful than I expected, but never able to get to the next level. Sounds like bumping his head on the ceiling might be wearing on him.

Shouldn't have to market the opponent to draw a good crowd, more than a few dozen students, or have solid out season tickets.

CU and its fans have failed Tad.

Not only has he not been given resources, but people don't even show up - then have the nerve to justify it with "but he hasn't gotten over the hump to become a Sweet 16 level program and this year's team wasn't supposed to be good so it's Tad's fault people aren't excited".

I'm fvcking sick of the CU basketball fanbase and the treatment of the program by the AD and administration.

I've been saying for years to everyone I know for whom it may be relevant... CU basketball is the best entertainment value in the greater Boulder area. Hell... in the Boulder-Denver Metro area. $25 tickets and free parking!

I agree the non-conf home schedule sucked and that's on HCTB and the CUAD. Nik, I think there's a distinction to be made between "scheduling interesting opponents" and "marketing the opponent ". It's tough for any team not named Duke to draw well for body bag games -- schools like Wisconsin, Carolina and Virginia have half-empty arenas for those.

I agree with Boyle and Nik that the local base does not support the team well. Colorado is not an area where college sports are popular -- these fans like their pro teams far more and I honestly don't know what it would take to inject a level of interest for the hoops team comparable to what Sanders has done for football.

I also hope that getting away from the Pac12 network boosts exposure and popularity.

Last, I agree with the comment about the core hoops fans being there. I'd advocate for CU to play 1-2 road-trippable D1 away games every year, rotate between DU, UNC, AFA, Wyoming, Regis, etc . I'd certainly go and I think playing a game every year in Denver would help market the team.

 

[Preston Slaughter]

The product is bad, the opposing teams are bad, the environment is dead, and I would prefer to watch other sporting events than the buff games so far.

A lot of this gets resolved in conference play but Tad needs to figure out how to get better talent. I would come watch CU play the sisters of the poor with Roby, Burks, Dinwiddie, McKinley, KJ, etc. on the team.

 

[Buffnik]

I've been saying for years to everyone I know for whom it may be relevant... CU basketball is the best entertainment value in the greater Boulder area. Hell... in the Boulder-Denver Metro area. $25 tickets and free parking!

I agree the non-conf home schedule sucked and that's on HCTB and the CUAD. Nik, I think there's a distinction to be made between "scheduling interesting opponents" and "marketing the opponent ". It's tough for any team not named Duke to draw well for body bag games -- schools like Wisconsin, Carolina and Virginia have half-empty arenas for those.

I agree with Boyle and Nik that the local base does not support the team well. Colorado is not an area where college sports are popular -- these fans like their pro teams far more and I honestly don't know what it would take to inject a level of interest for the hoops team comparable to what Sanders has done for football.

I also hope that getting away from the Pac12 network boosts exposure and popularity.

Last, I agree with the comment about the core hoops fans being there. I'd advocate for CU to play 1-2 road-trippable D1 away games every year, rotate between DU, UNC, AFA, Wyoming, Regis, etc . I'd certainly go and I think playing a game every year in Denver would help market the team.

Regarding opponents, I have seen the likes of Xavier come in for a non-conference game and it not move the needle. Short of someone like Duke, this casual fanbase DGAF. So when people use the schedule as an excuse, I don't buy it.

 

[hokiehead]

Regarding opponents, I have seen the likes of Xavier come in for a non-conference game and it not move the needle. Short of someone like Duke, this casual fanbase DGAF. So when people use the schedule as an excuse, I don't buy it.

Fair

 

[Bisonic]

Leaving Boyle's frustration aside for the moment, the running joke among my crew was that CU did not have the ability to look beyond a few miles from I-25 for their next head coach. First Ricardo Patton, who I supported for his passion, in spite of his coaching limitations. Then it was Bzdelik, who earned the job by beating us by 40 on our home floor. Then it was Boyle, who came in as a good basketball guy, but with no recruiting credentials at all. After 15 years, he's improved in this area but is still far from elite.

Bottom line for me: The commitment to a winning culture here starts at the top. Go get a big name coach who draws big time talent, and that arena will be sold out for most games. We've seen it with NON-elite talent wearing black & gold. When we have really solid teams, people will show up from the metro area. Hell, we see it right now with football; why do we think that won't work for basketball?

I just kind of find it kind of ironic that Tad is calling this out. He's a fine man who gives us his best, but he never should've been offered the job in the first place.

 

[Bisonic]

Regarding opponents, I have seen the likes of Xavier come in for a non-conference game and it not move the needle. Short of someone like Duke, this casual fanbase DGAF. So when people use the schedule as an excuse, I don't buy it.

Selling your product on the basis of star power was never a recipe for success. On this court I've seen Danny Manning, Kevin Durant, and countless others. That's a nice paycheck for one game, but not a strategy. It's the home team that has to make it worthwhile for that 4-5 hour commitment.

 

[Buffnik]

Selling your product on the basis of star power was never a recipe for success. On this court I've seen Danny Manning, Kevin Durant, and countless others. That's a nice paycheck for one game, but not a strategy. It's the home team that has to make it worthwhile for that 4-5 hour commitment.

Exactly.

And it has. Home winning percentage under Tad is fantastic.

But things are missing from the atmosphere. Crippling the student group and the band were killers.

Your earlier comment about the I-25 hire and the program needing a big name and better recruits actually made me laugh. That's all about money and basketball doesn't get any. But fans act like Tad is beneath us when the opposite is true - his coaching peers have been asking him for years why he puts up with CU instead of going somewhere he's supported and would have an opportunity to achieve everything he's capable of in the sport.

 

[Bisonic]

Exactly.

And it has. Home winning percentage under Tad is fantastic.

But things are missing from the atmosphere. Crippling the student group and the band were killers.

Your earlier comment about the I-25 hire and the program needing a big name and better recruits actually made me laugh. That's all about money and basketball doesn't get any. But fans act like Tad is beneath us when the opposite is true - his coaching peers have been asking him for years why he puts up with CU instead of going somewhere he's supported and would have an opportunity to achieve everything he's capable of in the sport.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not blaming Tad for what he's accomplished here, just like I didn't blame Patton for reaching his full potential, which was still below many's expectations.

I said above - it starts at the top. That means not only bringing in a solid coach, but doing everything possible to help that person succeed here. You're right, it takes money. But now that we're apparently succeeding at this very "experiment" in football - a much harder challenge - there should be no doubt it can happen in basketball too. No expert here, but that certainly involves bring our facilities up to a competitive level, and also some form of financial commitment to players coming in.

Where we seem to differ: I think also means bringing in a proven coach, one who can recruit and coach. That's a piece we're missing. I just don't view Tad as elite in either one. I'm predicting RG will realize this sooner rather than later. This killer B12 schedule could make that very evident.

Edit: I removed "develop" from what Tad can't do. He's good at developing under-the-radar players. Good thing because that's about 95% of who he recruits.

 

[Chautauqua]

Where we seem to differ: I think also means bringing in a proven coach, one who can recruit and coach. That's a piece we're missing. I just don't view Tad as elite in either one. I'm predicting RG will realize this sooner rather than later. This killer B12 schedule could make that very evident.

Edit: I removed "develop" from what Tad can't do. He's good at developing under-the-radar players. Good thing because that's about 95% of who he recruits.

I don’t get this take at all. CU is incredibly lucky to have Tad, we honestly don’t deserve him. Can’t recruit? We are a year away from putting 3 guys into the NBA and one of them was a top 10 recruit. We’ve also entered a new era with NIL. An individual coach’s recruiting ability matters little compared to the NIL budget. Give Tad a Big 12 average NIL budget and Tad can have us dancing 3 out of every 4 years

 

[Buffnik]

I don’t get this take at all. CU is incredibly lucky to have Tad, we honestly don’t deserve him. Can’t recruit? We are a year away from putting 3 guys into the NBA and one of them was a top 10 recruit. We’ve also entered a new era with NIL. An individual coach’s recruiting ability matters little compared to the NIL budget. Give Tad a Big 12 average NIL budget and Tad can have us dancing 3 out of every 4 years

Yeah. Look at Iowa State. Otzelberger was a former assistant who had a losing record at UNLV. It's about program support, not about hiring a big name. And if what we need is a Coach Prime for basketball, then it's hopeless. We're not going to find a unicorn who can single-handedly build the NIL system, bring corporate partnerships, and cause the program to be a media darling so that fans start to engage and recruits rate a CU offer on par with the elites of the sport.

 

[jumped ship]

generalization here but bball fans don’t live in Boulder. by in large people that live in Boulder are lame. swap CU and DU locations and attendance numbers for bball would skyrocket

Tad’s expectations unfortunately aren’t aligned with the reality of where he coaches

 

[Bisonic]

I don’t get this take at all. CU is incredibly lucky to have Tad, we honestly don’t deserve him. Can’t recruit? We are a year away from putting 3 guys into the NBA and one of them was a top 10 recruit. We’ve also entered a new era with NIL. An individual coach’s recruiting ability matters little compared to the NIL budget. Give Tad a Big 12 average NIL budget and Tad can have us dancing 3 out of every 4 years

We don't deserve him" - who, season ticket holders like me? Your post makes us sound like losers, chasing after something there's no hope for. Why should we even continue supporting the program if Boyle is the best we can ever hope for? Wish for no more than an NCAA bid every 3-4 years, but keep buying those tickets.

Reality is, KJ and Tristan were under the radar guys who Tad developed really well - credit where it's due. Cody was a one and done guy that honestly didn't contribute much to the program, but the "get" was good for our credibility.

It was a fun season last year - I enjoyed all of it. However with 3 future NBA guys we should've made a deeper run in the tourney, wouldn't you agree?

Again - my argument is the same today as it was when I started coming to games in the late 70s: If this school would invest in this program, starting with a top notch coach, the seats will fill up. This new era of NIL has not changed that basic truth.

 

[Buffnik]

We don't deserve him" - who, season ticket holders like me? Your post makes us sound like losers, chasing after something there's no hope for. Why should we even continue supporting the program if Boyle is the best we can ever hope for? Wish for no more than an NCAA bid every 3-4 years, but keep buying those tickets.

Reality is, KJ and Tristan were under the radar guys who Tad developed really well - credit where it's due. Cody was a one and done guy that honestly didn't contribute much to the program, but the "get" was good for our credibility.

It was a fun season last year - I enjoyed all of it. However with 3 future NBA guys we should've made a deeper run in the tourney, wouldn't you agree?

Again - my argument is the same today as it was when I started coming to games in the late 70s: If this school would invest in this program, starting with a top notch coach, the seats will fill up. This new era of NIL has not changed that basic truth.

What would be examples of big name coaches you believe would fill the stands, draw a big increase in NIL funding, and bring in top recruits? I'm curious what you think it would take.

 

[Darth Snow]

Speaking as a season ticket holder, as a fan base we don't deserve tad. But our AD reaaaaallllllllyy doesn't.

What could have been if bohn stayed or rg just wasn't an idiot.

 

[Chautauqua]

season ticket holders like me?

If you're attending games and supporting the team I commend you, you are not part of the problem. I simply believe your understandable frustration is misplaced. Tad has succeeded despite the Athletic Department's lack of support, not the other way around. Does the name Bobi Klintman mean anything to you? Admittedly, this is a deep cut. Bobi was a player that committed to play basketball for CU, everything was set. But admissions didn't let him in. He's playing in the NBA now. Would he have changed the trajectory of CU basketball, probably not. But this situation is emblematic of constraints that Tad has faced in trying to compete against teams with more money, more fan support, and Athletic Department's willing to help out when the situation warrants.

Coach Prime has been a unicorn hire but it is no coincidence that Colorado Football's success in recruiting started when Todd Saliman took over as president. Many of the constraints artificially placed on previous football coaching staffs were lifted, likely as a condition of Coach Prime taking the job. The AD has given unprecedented support to Coach Prime and the AD has been rewarded with a nationally relevant team!

Tad has exceeded all expectations for CU basketball. Last year's team was a few missed shots away from a sweet sixteen, a few missed offensive rebounds away from winning the PAC-12 tournament. Tad's done so well that regular fans are bored by his consistently above average teams. They want to see greatness! I get the frustration. But Tad can be the coach that gets us over the hump if he is given the same support that the CU AD is giving Coach Prime.

 

[Buffnik]

I think $250k of AD investment would make a huge difference. Like, 50k to support student fan group and $200k in local advertising to drive attendance & atmosphere would be transformative. Especially if they would couple that with a dedicated hoops C-Unit once again along with bringing back things like Supa Dupa - since they killed basic things we saw working a decade ago.

Beyond that (and this is a major mission change) - do more to support, build and involve the Buff Club chapters. They do a terrible job on that.

 

[buffgal]

RG doesn't care about basketball or any sport not called football.

 

[Bisonic]

I think $250k of AD investment would make a huge difference. Like, 50k to support student fan group and $200k in local advertising to drive attendance & atmosphere would be transformative. Especially if they would couple that with a dedicated hoops C-Unit once again along with bringing back things like Supa Dupa - since they killed basic things we saw working a decade ago.

Beyond that (and this is a major mission change) - do more to support, build and involve the Buff Club chapters. They do a terrible job on that.

The Supa Dupa Tuba thing ran its course. I thought it was cute for a while, corny down the stretch.

Not disagreeing that more money would be welcome tonic for this program, and I gather it's among the top priorities for George. (Revamping the Fieldhouse is right up there too.) The challenge with basketball is where to begin. You say spending it on a student group? Okay but is that more important than upgrading our outdated bathrooms, locker rooms, vending, outside lighting, etc.? These are not easy choices. Thankfully we've got a little wind at our back, thanks to the CP effect.

I'm still not letting Boyle off the hook. He exceeded my expectations, which is why I resumed being a season ticket holder after Covid. But that still does not make him an elite coach. He's a solid guy, well respected, runs a steady, predictable program that will never reach the top level. I appreciate all of his contributions, but I still think we can be a top level program. He's not the guy to take us there, IMO.

 

[Ruckus]

I still think we can be a top level program. He's not the guy to take us there, IMO.

lol what makes you think this?

 

[Darth Snow]

I also think I can sleep with Jessica alba!

 

[Da Lama]

I've been saying for years to everyone I know for whom it may be relevant... CU basketball is the best entertainment value in the greater Boulder area. Hell... in the Boulder-Denver Metro area. $25 tickets and free parking!

I agree the non-conf home schedule sucked and that's on HCTB and the CUAD. Nik, I think there's a distinction to be made between "scheduling interesting opponents" and "marketing the opponent ". It's tough for any team not named Duke to draw well for body bag games -- schools like Wisconsin, Carolina and Virginia have half-empty arenas for those.

I agree with Boyle and Nik that the local base does not support the team well. Colorado is not an area where college sports are popular -- these fans like their pro teams far more and I honestly don't know what it would take to inject a level of interest for the hoops team comparable to what Sanders has done for football.

I also hope that getting away from the Pac12 network boosts exposure and popularity.

Last, I agree with the comment about the core hoops fans being there. I'd advocate for CU to play 1-2 road-trippable D1 away games every year, rotate between DU, UNC, AFA, Wyoming, Regis, etc . I'd certainly go and I think playing a game every year in Denver would help market the team.

Ain't nobody coming to see those teams you mentioned. Regional/local or not. NO BODY.

 

[Bisonic]

If you're attending games and supporting the team I commend you, you are not part of the problem. I simply believe your understandable frustration is misplaced. Tad has succeeded despite the Athletic Department's lack of support, not the other way around. Does the name Bobi Klintman mean anything to you? Admittedly, this is a deep cut. Bobi was a player that committed to play basketball for CU, everything was set. But admissions didn't let him in. He's playing in the NBA now. Would he have changed the trajectory of CU basketball, probably not. But this situation is emblematic of constraints that Tad has faced in trying to compete against teams with more money, more fan support, and Athletic Department's willing to help out when the situation warrants.

Coach Prime has been a unicorn hire but it is no coincidence that Colorado Football's success in recruiting started when Todd Saliman took over as president. Many of the constraints artificially placed on previous football coaching staffs were lifted, likely as a condition of Coach Prime taking the job. The AD has given unprecedented support to Coach Prime and the AD has been rewarded with a nationally relevant team!

Tad has exceeded all expectations for CU basketball. Last year's team was a few missed shots away from a sweet sixteen, a few missed offensive rebounds away from winning the PAC-12 tournament. Tad's done so well that regular fans are bored by his consistently above average teams. They want to see greatness! I get the frustration. But Tad can be the coach that gets us over the hump if he is given the same support that the CU AD is giving Coach Prime.

You bring up important points. Coaches' battles with the Admissions Office goes back many decades. I remember Bill McCartney taking not so subtle digs in their direction just before our best years. He overcame that by winning, which is unfortunate at this school but necessary.

Coach Prime is indeed a unicorn, and we can't expect the same with our basketball program. Totally different set of challenges on BB side, beginning with a roster that's one seventh (or so) the size of football. You bring in 4-5 guys in a normal recruiting cycle. Unlike prior years, you don't really have time to develop them. They need to contribute right away. Boyle's teams have been FILLED with "potential" guys for his entire tenure. Sometimes that's worked out great - DaSilva, Simpson, Walker - other times we watch them on the bench contributing little.

Gotta lean on your point about Saliman changing the landscape here. I have to believe he's met Boyle, that they've had candid conversations. I also believe the President, as a CU guy, is well aware of CU's basketball situation. Private conversations have surely happened between Saliman and George on the topic. They've seen what a fresh face can do for CU football.

Bottom line, I wish we had unlimited resources to throw at basketball, but that would amount to a massive risk on those making financial decisions. In the case of football, George made the case that we really didn't have a choice because we were at risk of becoming a MWC team. He was 100% correct. In the case of basketball, no action won't sink the ship. "Above average but not elite" is the standard here. "Elite" should be the standard, and that starts with an elite recruiter. I do not run in those crowds, but I've been around long enough to know that they're out there. Start with the staff on last year's Sweet 16, which we again did not visit.

 

[Bisonic]

lol what makes you think this?

Take a look at the top 25. We can't aspire to be "giants" like Gonzaga, Marquette, Iowa State, or Florida? NIL money's certainly a part of their success, but players also base their decisions on the head coach, especially the ones who know the big money is headed their way eventually. I've always viewed Boyle as kind of an Old School guy, and now he's on his 15th year. CU has never, ever gone after a high profile basketball hire. Just maybe we start there?