December 10th 2024.
It's been five weeks since the Colorado men's basketball team kicked off their season. As they gear up for their return to the Big 12 Conference, the Buffaloes know they still have a long way to go. However, head coach Tad Boyle is pleased with the progress they've made so far, especially with their new roster.
After a successful win against Colorado State on Saturday, the team got back to work on Tuesday, reconvening for their first practice. Boyle believes their understanding of defensive strategies has improved, which was evident in their game against Colorado State. Despite facing a tough offensive team, the Buffs were able to assert their energy and control the game defensively, which was crucial to their victory.
"We're not where we want to be yet, but we're making strides," Boyle stated. "Our players are starting to understand their roles on defense and are getting comfortable playing together. In today's world of college basketball, where there are so many new players on every team, this chemistry is essential."
Of course, it's still early in the season, and it's challenging to accurately assess teams based on conference rankings in December. However, the Buffs have held their own in overall percentages, which is a good sign. Their scoring average may not be the best, but they've excelled in other areas, such as their 3-point shooting and defensive 3-point percentage. On the other hand, turnovers have been a struggle, but the team has shown improvement in recent games.
According to guard Javon Ruffin, their defensive intensity has significantly improved, and they're becoming more consistent on offense. This is especially important as they head into their last two nonconference games, starting with South Dakota State on Friday night. Boyle knows that this is a crucial time for the team, with a heavy focus on practice and limited game time.
"It's all about having good practices," Boyle emphasized. "This week, we have three critical days to keep improving in all aspects of our game. Our goal is to get better every day, whether it's on offense, defense, or rebounding. I want the players to understand that practices matter, and I will base my decisions on who plays in games on how they perform in practice."
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
