Looking ahead 22-23

[Buffnik]

CU is 61st in preseason Kenpom rankings, seems kinda high

Maybe. I expected a bubbly range from 50-90, so on the positive side of my expectation.

 

[Preston Slaughter]

IDK, you look around the NBA and it's filled with dudes are 6'7"-6'8" and barely over 200 lbs, and most of the top prospects every year are rail thin. I think some CU fans have this idea that basketball players are supposed to jacked, mid 90's bangers, but rail thin is much more the norm in college basketball.

Again, that's not what I'm saying. There is a huge gap between the current state of the roster and being full of jacked bangers. Last year we were weak across the board (relative to our competition) and that hasn't changed.

 

[Preston Slaughter]

Ok...so we have a guy here saying Lawson struggled, and then this guy's observations said he was outstanding

He struggled on the offensive end in ways that I was hoping he wouldn't. He seemed promising on defense but he didn't get much work as an off-ball defender in the half-court. A lot of threes were put up.

 

[Preston Slaughter]

My take aways from Saturday (FWIW):
- First off, it seemed to me that the returning (and new) starters were coasting a bit and deferring to others. Not a big deal. I'm not worried about KJ, Nique and DaSilva. I'd put Allen in this group as well. I'm not worried about him at all. And he doesn't seem undersized to me at all. Talked to him and Hadley as they left the arena.
- Hammond obviously was worried about all the incoming guards and has upped his play. Looks solid, and contrary to some people's idiotic musings on this site, will not redshirt this year.
- Wright will be fine. We're not looking for starter minutes from him. He looked the part of a guy who will get you 8-10 minutes a game, hit a key shot or two and provide some smart scrappiness.
- I agree that we will have some difficulties on the boards. I hope we've become more effective shooters because there may be a game (or 5) where we get absolutely destroyed on the boards and in the paint (St. Bonnie's flashback).
- Hadley may actually be a starter. The lineup of KJ, Hadley, Nique, Allen and da Silva would be small, but our most athletic lineup. I could see either him or Allen starting and the other or LOB being the first man off the bench depending on the opponent.
- We're going to go 10 deep every game at least through the non-con schedule.
- Lovering and Hurlburt are who they are at this point. If we can get 15 hard, angry, inspired minutes a night combined from the two of them, that's just fine.
- We have no go to scorer. Worrisome.
- We'll be a better defensive team this year.
- This is a team that to hit 20 wins must: be efficient on offense (no wasted trips and stupid TOs), above 75% as a team at the FT line, very stout on defense (think 70-65 max type games), awake from the opening tip (we'll struggle to get back in games if we go down early), and above all be healthy (if we lose KJ, da Silva or Nique for any period of time we'll stumble hard).

In the end I was happy with what I saw. We're so young, we'll play dumb sometimes, but ultimately I see an 19-21 win team if everything breaks right.

I agree with basically everything you said. I didn't really see anything from Quincy Allen other than him not doing much. I was expecting to see him as a more dominant presence on the court. It's just one scrimmage though, maybe he had an off day.

 

[Da Lama]

I agree with basically everything you said. I didn't really see anything from Quincy Allen other than him not doing much. I was expecting to see him as a more dominant presence on the court. It's just one scrimmage though, maybe he had an off day.

Could be. He was in good spirits after. Who knows with 19 yo kids, amirite?

 

[Formerly_Medford]

My take aways from Saturday (FWIW):
- First off, it seemed to me that the returning (and new) starters were coasting a bit and deferring to others. Not a big deal. I'm not worried about KJ, Nique and DaSilva. I'd put Allen in this group as well. I'm not worried about him at all. And he doesn't seem undersized to me at all. Talked to him and Hadley as they left the arena.
- Hammond obviously was worried about all the incoming guards and has upped his play. Looks solid, and contrary to some people's idiotic musings on this site, will not redshirt this year.
- Wright will be fine. We're not looking for starter minutes from him. He looked the part of a guy who will get you 8-10 minutes a game, hit a key shot or two and provide some smart scrappiness.
- I agree that we will have some difficulties on the boards. I hope we've become more effective shooters because there may be a game (or 5) where we get absolutely destroyed on the boards and in the paint (St. Bonnie's flashback).
- Hadley may actually be a starter. The lineup of KJ, Hadley, Nique, Allen and da Silva would be small, but our most athletic lineup. I could see either him or Allen starting and the other or LOB being the first man off the bench depending on the opponent.
- We're going to go 10 deep every game at least through the non-con schedule.
- Lovering and Hurlburt are who they are at this point. If we can get 15 hard, angry, inspired minutes a night combined from the two of them, that's just fine.
- We have no go to scorer. Worrisome.
- We'll be a better defensive team this year.
- This is a team that to hit 20 wins must: be efficient on offense (no wasted trips and stupid TOs), above 75% as a team at the FT line, very stout on defense (think 70-65 max type games), awake from the opening tip (we'll struggle to get back in games if we go down early), and above all be healthy (if we lose KJ, da Silva or Nique for any period of time we'll stumble hard).

In the end I was happy with what I saw. We're so young, we'll play dumb sometimes, but ultimately I see an 19-21 win team if everything breaks right.

I keep seeing these win predictions, and I think y'all are straight up crazy. I expect this team to reach 20 wins easily.

 

[BuffsNYC]

I keep seeing these win predictions, and I think y'all are straight up crazy. I expect this team to reach 20 wins easily.

Are you saying that this team will just b_walk to 20 wins?

 

[Formerly_Medford]

Are you saying that this team will just b_walk to 20 wins?

I'm saying this roster should 100% be a tournament team.

 

[Ruckus]

While we’re here and the thread is active, there are still a lot of tickets available for the exhibition game against Nebraska on Sunday 10/30 at 4pm. Proceeds go to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund to benefit Marshall Fire survivors. Good chance to see the team against some outside competition before the season starts the following week on 11/7. It’s not November yet, but it’s ALMOST FINALLY NOVEMBER.

 

[Buffsbball]

I'm saying this roster should 100% be a tournament team.

I think that Colorado is very capable of finishing 4th in the PAC again. Last year that didn't get us into the tourney. I think with a slightly better non-ron schedule this year it does.

Everyone's talking about how we lost 3 out of our top 5 scorers. Well Oregon lost 3 out of their top 5 scorers, UCLA lost 3 out of their top 5 scorers, Arizona lost 3 out of their top 5 scorers. USC lost 3 out of their top 5 scorers. Yes those teams have reloaded with recruiting but point stands it's not a knock on us if everyone else is dealing with the same thing.

We have Tad and Tad develops and we are a year older in a lot of places. I'm optimistic. We should be starting 2 Juniors (both of whom started last year), 2 sophomores (both got a lot of run last year), and the last will realistically either be a grad transfer who was on their all league team (Wright, Gabbidon), a JC 3rd year college player, or Lovering (A sophomore with some playing time last year).

And we have depth to overcome injuries.

 

[Da Lama]

I'm saying this roster should 100% be a tournament team.

We have talent that's for sure. Youth and inexperience can lead to crazy things, however. We'll be a mediocre rebounding team, so we better be a good shooting team and a very good defensive team. And...in the past 2 years years we lost the absolute heart and soul of this program in Kin and Evan. There's nobody on this roster that can come near filling that type of role on this roster. We just don't have THAT GUY right now. That will hurt in big games. I'll stand by my 19-21 win prediction.

 

[Buffalo Brad]

While we’re here and the thread is active, there are still a lot of tickets available for the exhibition game against Nebraska on Sunday 10/30 at 4pm. Proceeds go to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund to benefit Marshall Fire survivors. Good chance to see the team against some outside competition before the season starts the following week on 11/7. It’s not November yet, but it’s ALMOST FINALLY NOVEMBER.

Let's do this! I am having knee surgery on the 27th and still hope to be in the stands (maybe oldest and youngest in my place but hoping). Buy some damn tix, see the team and help support a great cause.

 

[Formerly_Medford]

We have talent that's for sure. Youth and inexperience can lead to crazy things, however. We'll be a mediocre rebounding team, so we better be a good shooting team and a very good defensive team. And...in the past 2 years years we lost the absolute heart and soul of this program in Kin and Evan. There's nobody on this roster that can come near filling that type of role on this roster. We just don't have THAT GUY right now. That will hurt in big games. I'll stand by my 19-21 win prediction.

My prediction is based on the fact that this is Tad's best roster he's ever had. There's 3 or 4 guys who won't see much time this year that would have potentially started or been one of the first guys off the bench in many years.

Also, this is basketball. Superior talent generally shows out and wins more games.

 

[Hunchback Quaker]

My prediction is based on the fact that this is Tad's best roster he's ever had. There's 3 or 4 guys who won't see much time this year that would have potentially started or been one of the first guys off the bench in many years.

Also, this is basketball. Superior talent generally shows out and wins more games.

Best roster based off of what? Just the raw talent?

 

[Formerly_Medford]

Best roster based off of what? Just the raw talent?

Yes, easily.

 

[Goose]

We have talent that's for sure. Youth and inexperience can lead to crazy things, however. We'll be a mediocre rebounding team, so we better be a good shooting team and a very good defensive team. And...in the past 2 years years we lost the absolute heart and soul of this program in Kin and Evan. There's nobody on this roster that can come near filling that type of role on this roster. We just don't have THAT GUY right now. That will hurt in big games. I'll stand by my 19-21 win prediction.

I’m really hoping this will become Allen.

 

[Da Lama]

I’m really hoping this will become Allen.

Watching the team Saturday I’d say more likely KJ or Hammond TBH. But each have their deficiencies. Strangely enough I do not see it being TDS or Nique. More so Allen or Hadley over those two, oddly enough.

 

[Buffnik]

I’m really hoping this will become Allen.

By the end of the season, I want him to be like Jabari was at the end of his frosh year. I think consistent alpha is too much to ask, but I can see him taking over segments or even games.

 

[Formerly_Medford]

Watching the team Saturday I’d say more likely KJ or Hammond TBH. But each have their deficiencies. Strangely enough I do not see it being TDS or Nique. More so Allen or Hadley over those two, oddly enough.

TDS and Nique both seem to fit that 2nd and 3rd option mentality to me. I do think KJ and Allen have that alpha mindset, and I think KJ showed that a few times down the stretch last year, but everything with Allen is projection. We know he's an elite athlete, we hear he had a good stroke, but we just have nothing but his hs tapes and hearsay to base expectations on. Mine are very high though.

 

[BIGEZ321]

My prediction is based on the fact that this is Tad's best roster he's ever had. There's 3 or 4 guys who won't see much time this year that would have potentially started or been one of the first guys off the bench in many years.

Also, this is basketball. Superior talent generally shows out and wins more games.

Not fact, but love the optimism.

The 2013 team with Booker, Dinwiddie, King, Gordon, X Johnson, Fletcher, Josh Scott was probably the best on paper.

 

[WWCD]

Not fact, but love the optimism.

The 2013 team with Booker, Dinwiddie, King, Gordon, X Johnson, Fletcher, Josh Scott was probably the best on paper.

And they fell apart without Dinwiddie. I don't see a weakness like that with this team i.e. losing one player crippling the entire team

 

[hokiehead]

Let's do this! I am having knee surgery on the 27th and still hope to be in the stands (maybe oldest and youngest in my place but hoping). Buy some damn tix, see the team and help support a great cause.

holding a thought that your surgery goes well, Brad

 

[Formerly_Medford]

Not fact, but love the optimism.

The 2013 team with Booker, Dinwiddie, King, Gordon, X Johnson, Fletcher, Josh Scott was probably the best on paper.

Based on their career accomplishments? Maybe, but King and Fletcher were just Freshman that year and King was nowhere near ready to contribute. Also, Gordon wasn't anything special.

 

[BIGEZ321]

Based on their career accomplishments? Maybe, but King and Fletcher were just Freshman that year and King was nowhere near ready to contribute. Also, Gordon wasn't anything special.

Based on my belief that the 2013 team would destroy this one. That team beat a KU team with Embid, Wiggins, and Seldon. This years team is young and unproven, but i hope they can gel and get 20+ wins. Future is bright!

 

[Buffsbball]

Arizona vs. UCLA at No. 1 and other 2022-23 Pac-12 preseason predictions

The countdown to the 2022-23 college basketball season continues with questions for the Pac-12 as it faces a significant membership change.

www.espn.com

Good ole ESPN writers that never watch the PAC. Colorado hasn't finished 9th ever in Tad's tenure. They've finished Tied for 8th twice and finished Tied for 5th or better in 9 of his 12 seasons.

To trust Haase, Hurley, and Hopkins more than Tad right now is true insanity.

 

[RetainedGecko98]

Hi all - been lurking for years, but posting for the first time. Figured I'd join in as we gear up for basketball season.

I think this year will be similar to last. With a lot of new guys and changing roles, it may take some time for the team to gel and I could see an ugly loss or two early. But Tad's teams tend to get better as the year goes on and I think we could get some big wins in conference play.

Not sure where the Buffs will end up this season, but I think this team is positioned to be very good in 23-24. Minus the grad transfers, I don't believe anyone will be graduating after this season, so it will be fun to watch this team grow and develop.

 

[Darth Snow]

Hi all - been lurking for years, but posting for the first time. Figured I'd join in as we gear up for basketball season.

I think this year will be similar to last. With a lot of new guys and changing roles, it may take some time for the team to gel and I could see an ugly loss or two early. But Tad's teams tend to get better as the year goes on and I think we could get some big wins in conference play.

Not sure where the Buffs will end up this season, but I think this team is positioned to be very good in 23-24. Minus the grad transfers, I don't believe anyone will be graduating after this season, so it will be fun to watch this team grow and develop.

Welcome. I agree. High variance season! Bring me whiskey please.

 

[WWCD]

Arizona vs. UCLA at No. 1 and other 2022-23 Pac-12 preseason predictions

The countdown to the 2022-23 college basketball season continues with questions for the Pac-12 as it faces a significant membership change.

www.espn.com

Good ole ESPN writers that never watch the PAC. Colorado hasn't finished 9th ever in Tad's tenure. They've finished Tied for 8th twice and finished Tied for 5th or better in 9 of his 12 seasons.

To trust Haase, Hurley, and Hopkins more than Tad right now is true insanity.

I like Nique, KJ, and DaSilva over XJ, Gordon and even Booker. Sure would be nice to have a Scott or a Dinwiddie though

 

[WWCD]

Based on my belief that the 2013 team would destroy this one. That team beat a KU team with Embid, Wiggins, and Seldon. This years team is young and unproven, but i hope they can gel and get 20+ wins. Future is bright!

I like the core of Nique, KJ, and DaSilva over XJ, Gordon and Booker. Would be nice to have a Scott or Dinwiddie equivalent though

 

[Da Lama]

I like Nique, KJ, and DaSilva over XJ, Gordon and even Booker. Sure would be nice to have a Scott or a Dinwiddie though

Sorry man, but this take...