As the we prepare for the 2015-2016 college basketball season, GetMoreSports will countdown their top 50 teams in college basketball, culminating with our preseason top 25 closer to when practices begin.
50. Colorado Buffaloes
Until last year, things had been going pretty well for Tad Boyle and the Buffaloes. Sure, they lost Spencer Dinwiddie to an ACL tear the year before, derailing what looked like a team capable of a deep NCAA Tournament run, but the Buffs still found themselves playing in the Big Dance despite his absence. What was once thought of as nearly impossible, 20-win seasons became the minimum expectation in Boulder, and Boyle had Buff Nation buzzing. But, as we now know, things went sour in year four. Askia Booker graduated after CU stumbled to a 16-18 record, and then senior Xavier Johnson ruptured his achilles, making his return for the season extremely doubtful.
Still, the Buffs have a veteran core that should have them in the conversation for an NCAA bid if the chemistry issues that tore through last season’s locker room are figured out. First of all, they have the best offensive big man in the conference with star Josh Scott. Beside him on the block is junior Wesley Gordon who, if he can find some consistency, is as good of a second-big as there is in the Pac-12. Wing Tre’Shaun Fletcher found his confidence late last season, and has a chance to be a quality defensive presence for Boyle, while also being a capable shooter and slasher on the other end. Where the Buffs need the most improvement is on the perimeter. Former top-100 prospect Dominique Collier has reportedly enjoyed quite an impressive offseason, which is necessary, because of the hole at point guard a year ago. Potentially most important, though, is the addition of former Providence guard Josh Fortune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM7ZIIYsofE
Fortunate sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, and reports coming out of Boulder suggest that he can be a reliable scorer from the SG spot. Depth will be a concern for Boyle’s Buffs, as the program lost two transfers in the offseason, and Johnson’s injury thins things on the wing.
Still, one is reasonable to believe that last season was the exception for Colorado, and that a renewed focus on defense, along with one of the conference’s best home-court advantages, can put the team in a position to play meaningful games in March.
