Woelk: New Chapter In Buffs Hoops Begins This Summer
May 30, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Early next week, members of one of the most highly regarded recruiting classes in Colorado basketball history will begin showing up on campus.
Not all will arrive at the same time. But by the time Tad Boyle's Buffaloes board a plane in August for a 10-day tour of Italy, all five — McKinley Wright, Evan Battey, D'Shawn Schwartz, Tyler Bey and Lazar Nikolic — should be ready to begin playing their part in writing the next chapter of Colorado basketball.
If the newest group of Buffaloes comes anywhere close to matching early expectations, it will be a chapter well worth watching — and one that Boyle and his assistants are excited to begin.
Not that the first seven years of the Boyle Era in Boulder didn't produce outstanding results. In fact, it would be hard to find a more successful seven-year stretch in modern CU history. Under Boyle's guidance, the Buffs have produced seven straight postseason appearances (four NCAA Tournaments, two NITs and a CBI berth), five seasons with at least 20 wins (out of nine all-time at Colorado), and 15 wins against ranked opponents. In that span, the Buffs also rewrote the program's attendance records.
It is a stretch of which Boyle and his assistants are rightfully proud. After a 40-year period in which Colorado produced just two NCAA Tournament berths, Boyle put CU into the conversation of annual NCAA tourney contenders — new and exciting territory for Buffs fans.
But Boyle also knows that leaning too much on the past is no way to build the future. He knows it is time to turn the page, and it is why he is quietly pointing to the incoming group of freshmen as a new chapter in Colorado basketball, one he believes could propel the Buffs from annual NCAA tourney contender to a program that takes the next step:
A program that makes frequent forays deep into the tournament.
It is a prospect that has clearly re-energized Boyle.
It is no coincidence that the same year in which he welcomes what could be an immediate-impact recruiting class the Buffs are also taking a summer business trip that should greatly accelerate those newcomers' integration into the program. Not only will the summer include the regular strength and conditioning sessions, it will also include the trip to Italy that will include a handful of games and practice sessions, as well as an additional 10 full practices in Boulder — invaluable time when it comes to meshing new faces with returning players.
Historically, Boyle has not been a coach who has depended heavily upon freshmen in a starting role (in his seven years in Boulder, he has had three true freshmen in a regular starting role). He knows the physical and emotional roller coaster that newcomers usually ride, and he's done his best to get the most from his first-year players while limiting the downside of that roller coaster.
But Boyle has also never had a class of this stature: a consensus top-30 class nationally, with three players ranked among the nation's top 150. It is no wonder he has said repeatedly that he expects immediate and impactful contribution from several members of the class right away.
Not that the Buffs will be starting from scratch next fall. They do have some returning firepower, most notably senior George King, last year's leading rebounder and third-leading scorer. King, who two seasons ago earned honors as the Pac-12's most-improved player, has the ability to be a 15-point, 10-rebound player — the kind of player who can be a force night in and night out in the Pac-12.
Boyle will also be counting on regular contributions from seniors Tory Miller and Dominique Collier, two players who have proven to be capable contributors; as well as improved production from sophomores Deleon Brown and Lucas Siewert, both of whom showed flashes last year and should be ready to add some consistency to their games this year. Also ready to figure in the mix are transfer Namon Wright and redshirt freshman Dallas Walton, both of whom could add valuable minutes.
But if the Buffs are going to put their names back in the NCAA Tournament mix, they will need significant contributions from the newcomers — and this is a group that has the potential to provide that type of immediate impact.
The steal of the group might be Wright, a late addition to the class who will likely find himself with every opportunity to earn playing time at the point. Schwartz, meanwhile, could provide immediate scoring help on the wing, Bey has the game to be a force on the boards and scoring inside, Battey could provide some much-needed inside muscle and Nikolic should bring some depth to the wing.
So which of the five will provide the immediate and significant impact Boyle is expecting? With none of them even on campus yet, it's far too early to tell. But judging from the bounce in Boyle's step — and the similar enthusiasm exuded by his assistants — there's little doubt they are excited about the possibilities.
In a way, last season was the end of a chapter that began with a recruiting class that included Josh Scott, Wesley Gordon, Xavier Johnson and Xavier Talton. It was a highly touted group that helped the Buffs move up in the college basketball world, helping produce three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Now come another highly touted group — one that should not only have an impact next season, but a class that could provide the nucleus for Colorado's next major step up the college hoops ladder.
It is a new chapter that will be worth watching from the very beginning.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
