The Colorado Buffaloes have headed east to the Big 12 Tournament with hopes of pulling off a miracle before coming back to Boulder.
After taking a significant step up from last season, where the Buffs finished dead last in conference play, CU has managed to find itself as the 11-seed with a Big 12 record of 7-11.
Tad Boyle and his squad managed to pick up several quality wins along the way, including a Quad 1 victory on the road against Arizona State and Quad 2 wins over TCU, Washington, Utah and ASU at home. Unfortunately, their 1–10 record in Quad 1 games leaves them firmly off the bubble and out of the March Madness picture. That means if Colorado wants to go dancing, there’s only one option: win the whole damn thing in Kansas City.
That quest won’t be easy, especially considering the strength of the conference this season. Five of the top 16 teams in the AP Poll are headed to KC this week, all hoping to walk away with the Big 12 crown. If the Buffs want to make their first tournament appearance since 2024, they’ll somehow have to find a way to rise above all of them.
The good news is that this team might be up for the challenge. Colorado has been largely overlooked this season because of its record, but the roster is young and energized, led by a wide cast of underclassmen. True freshman Isaiah Johnson is the team’s leading scorer and one of the most underrated point guards in the country. Jalin Holland is emerging as a dynamic two-guard, while Sebastian Rancik has proven to be a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Bangot Dak’s length and freak athleticism give the Buffs versatility on both ends, and Barrington Hargress’s steady hand and elite passing help keep everything together.
Step one toward leaving Kansas City with a trophy comes tonight against No. 14 seed Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. MT. The Buffs are already 1–0 against the Cowboys this season and will look to advance to the second round with another win.
We’ll be providing updates and analysis throughout the game here at The Ralphie Report, so come hang out with us. We’d love to have you.
