CU Buffs Rely On Freshman Depth

Colorado head coach Tad Boyle expects a much thinner rotation this season. The program finished last year 17-16 but relied on a deep bench to manage games. That depth is largely gone. The team is entering its 17th season under Boyle with a core group of returning players and four freshmen who may serve primarily as practice squad members.

The Buffaloes host Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 to open the 2026-27 campaign. As of Friday, the team is ten days from that game. Boyle has not locked in specific minute distributions, but the likely starting lineup and primary rotation will feature guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman. Forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez are also expected to play. Gomez’s early availability may be limited due to a foot injury sustained last year.

Last season, Colorado went 7-11 in the Big 12 conference. Eleven players appeared in at least 20 games that year, and seven earned at least 10 starts. That level of constant personnel change is unlikely to return. Instead, a group of newcomers has joined the roster with the primary goal of developing their skills during the 2026-27 year.

Forward Chase Hill, guard Amir Jones, guard Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen make up this group. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the team last November. The other three were late additions to the roster last spring. Jacobsen grew up in the Midwest and played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. His recruiting interest slowed after he tore his ACL during his junior season. Hill comes from a basketball family. His father is the winningest women's basketball coach in the history of Division III Trinity University in San Antonio. His grandfather, Bob, was a longtime NBA coach who helped bring Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago.

Portela’s father is also a coach. Jones reopened his recruiting process after a coaching change at Georgia State, where he had originally signed. Hill described his immediate goal as development. He noted that he could have played at a Division III school with the same objective and attempted a transfer later. He chose to come to Colorado first to grow over the four or five years he expects to spend there.

Jacobsen said accepting a limited role was difficult at first. He is learning to go as hard as possible every day without feeling like he has anything to lose. He is trying to earn his place on the floor. Boyle said he does not want these players to feel permanently shut out. He called the situation fluid and noted that Jones had a very good practice on Friday. He said Jacobsen and Hill have also done good things.

The coach explained that these young players have the capability but lack consistency. Their standing in December could look very different from their status in mid-to-late October. He asked them to prepare every day so they are mentally ready when called upon. Barring injuries or other unexpected setbacks, this third five at the end of the bench is not expected to play regularly. Their daily work in practice will matter to a team hoping to make an impact in the Big 12.