Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: Boyle, Buffs Ready For New Beginning
October 21, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When Colorado head coach Tad Boyle sat down last spring to evaluate the Buffs just-completed season, he knew where to point the finger.
The man in the mirror drew first blame. After a 16-18 finish — the first losing season in his five years at CU — Boyle looked back at what he now knows were mistakes in the way he handled his team and vowed not to repeat those errors.
“I didn't take the bull by the horns,” Boyle said at Wednesday morning's CU media day. “I'm not going to make that mistake this year.”
The mistake, Boyle said, was not stepping in and addressing a lack of firm direction and leadership soon enough. He trusted that a veteran team, one that had been to three NCAA Tournaments, would lean on its experience to overcome some early adversity.
“I made a lot of mistakes last year, and one was, 'They'll figure it out,'” Boyle said. “Guess what — it never happened.”
To be fair to Boyle, losing all-Pac-12 big man Josh Scott for an eight-game stretch to start the conference portion of the schedule didn't help. But in the end, a lack of firm leadership in the locker room, a lack of chemistry on the court and a lack of overall focus in too many instances left the Buffs with a 15-17 record and their noses on the outside looking in when the NCAA's annual party tipped off.
But last year is over and done. Boyle firmly believes this year's team — one that has a strong core of returning veterans along with some talented newcomers — has the potential to be a force in the Pac-12.
“If we play together, if we play team basketball, there's not a team in this league we can't beat,” Boyle said.
Among the media, at least, that's a matter of debate. The Buffs were picked to finish seventh in the league in the preseason media poll.
But what isn't up for debate is that the Buffs' hopes will center on Scott, a 6-foot-10 senior whose plans are to return to the form that made him a first-team all-conference pick as a sophomore.
Scott averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game a year ago in his abbreviated season. When he finally returned to the lineup, and shook off the rust of the layoff, he averaged more than 20 points and 11 rebounds in his last six contests.
But Scott's role will be more than numbers this year. Boyle is depending on Scott to play a major role in making sure the Buffs don't drive off into the ditch at the first sign of a bump in the road.
“Adversity shows all your warts,” Boyle said. “When we faced adversity last year, we weren't the most cohesive group and together group. We're going to face adversity this year as well. That's when leadership comes in and I look at what Josh Scott has been doing on the floor and off the floor with his teammates. He's the unquestioned leader of this team. I have great faith and belief in him.”
The Buffs certainly had their fair share of adversity last year, and didn't react well. Boyle believes this year's team has the potential to overcome the rough spots.
“Hopefully, when adversity hits this year this group can come together and galvanize together,” Boyle said. “I don't think last year's team did a great job of that. … Adversity will hit, it's not matter of if, it's a matter of when. That's where the character and makeup of your team gets tested, and I feel real good about that this year.”
Strictly in terms of numbers, the Buffs will have to replace the scoring of graduated senior Askia Booker (17.2 points per game), along with about 10 points and five rebounds from Jaron Hopkins and Dustin Thomas, both of whom transferred out of the program. CU will also have to make up for the loss of 10.3 points and 5.6 rebounds from Xavier Johnson, who will be out at least until late December — and possibly longer — with a torn Achilles tendon.
But there are capable replacements waiting. Along with returning starter Wesley Gordon (6.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg), the Buffs also have returnees Tre'Shaun Fletcher (5.4 ppg), Dominique Collier (4.7 ppg, 1.5 assists), Xavier Talton (4.3 ppg, 1.6 apg) and Tory Miller (3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in just 9 minutes per game).
Two very important cogs will be two players who practiced with the Buffs last year but did not play. Transfer Josh Fortune is expected to step in at two guard while George King, who sat out as a redshirt last season, will be counted upon to deliver quality minutes at small forward and guard. Both have played well in practices thus far.
One big factor will be the play of the 6-foot-9 Gordon, a junior who came in with the same recruiting class as Scott but redshirted his first year.
“I look at Wes Gordon and I say why couldn't he average a double-double,” Boyle said. “He's being more aggressive offensively. He's been without a doubt our best rebounder in practice. He is a terrific rebounder. He's had some games where it's like 'Wow.' It's just consistency and focus. That's a challenge for Wes. You hope that light bulb comes on and he's there each and every night. If he is, that gives you a pretty good one-two punch in that front line.”
Also a key component will be the development of Collier. The sophomore point guard has added about 20 pounds to his frame and his talent is obvious — but now Boyle wants him to become more of a “quarterback” on the floor.
“It's a big year for Dom,” Boyle said. “I've always said the greatest strides college basketball players make is usually between their freshman year and their sophomore year. Now what he has to do is start running the team. The biggest challenge I've given Dom Collier early this season is to be vocal. He's not a vocal guy by nature, but guess what — we need a quarterback on the basketball team, you have to open up your mouth. He's getting better at that. Can he do it in a game? That's going to be the challenge.”
Overall, Boyle said the Buffs' strength will be their front line. Along with Scott and Gordon, Boyle will also be counting heavily on 6-foot-9, 255-pound sophomore Miller up front. Boyle called Miller “probably our most improved player.”
“The question mark with our team comes on the perimeter,” Boyle said. “We've got capable players, but unproven.”
Fortune is a strong 3-point shooter and will be expected to pick up some of the outside scoring. Fletcher and King will also be counted upon to pick up some of that burden.
“We'll have a better perimeter shooting team,” Boyle said. “But Josh, Wes and Tory — those guys have got to see the ball.”
It won't take long for the Buffs to see how they stack up against the best. They open the season Nov. 13 in Sioux Falls, S.D., in a nationally televised game against Iowa State, a team that will likely be in most people's preseason top 10. Four days later, they play at Auburn. It's a difficult start to a season Buff fans will be watching closely.
"I don't feel any more pressure or less pressure than in years past," Boyle said. "But I do think this: I think we've had some success since we've been here. Last year was a down year. I don't mind saying that. I feel like I failed last year and I think our players feel that way too. That's not a good feeling you want in the pit of your stomach when you go to bed at night. I think our players are committed to make sure that doesn't happen again and I know I'm committed to it."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
