Mar 22, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) and guard Javon Ruffin (11) react in the first half against the Florida Gators in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Colorado will test itself against another Big Sky Conference opponent when it plays host to Northern Colorado at Boulder on Friday.
The Buffaloes (1-0) opened their season at home Monday with a 76-56 victory over Eastern Washington, as freshman Sebastian Rancik scored 13 points off the bench, while Trevor Baskin and Javon Ruffin each added 12.
Colorado struggled early with its new look as double-digit scorers KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva, J’Vonne Hadley, Eddie Lampkin Jr. and Cody Williams all have departed. The Buffaloes trailed 27-10 more than 13 minutes into the game before taking their first lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
“We turned that thing over like it was nobody’s business and then started feeling sorry for ourselves,” said Colorado’s Tad Boyle, who is one win away from 300 as Buffaloes head coach. “… Our guys finally woke up defensively. We got some stops, strung some stuff together and got out in transition.”
Colorado had 18 turnovers, with 13 of those coming in the first half, and finished with a 45-28 rebounding advantage. The Buffaloes took control with a 19-2 run in the second half.
Colorado still has a trip to the Maui Invitational ahead as the program gets set for its return to the Big 12 Conference on Dec. 30.
“We’re going to watch a lot of film,” said Boyle, a former Northern Colorado head coach who was inducted into the school’s sports hall of fame in August. “There’s a lot of improvements to be made.”
Northern Colorado (1-0) is coming off a 75-55 home victory over Division III Colorado College. Langston Reynolds scored a career-high 21 points with seven rebounds and four steals, while Brock Wisne added 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Bears had a 48-27 rebounding advantage.
Northern Colorado’s roster includes four freshmen and three Division I transfers, including former San Francisco forward Isaiah Hawthorne, who had seven points and three rebounds as a starter in 19 minutes.
“I’m impressed with the class we put together, and we feel good about it,” Bears head coach Steve Smiley said, according to the Greeley Tribune. “We have a lot of proven guys coming in. It’s hard to get guys who are proven. To get guys who want to play for us, I think it’s because they see an opportunity.”
–Field Level Media
