Boyle's Buffs Play Host To Air Force Wednesday Night

BOULDER — While the top priority is always to win games, college basketball coaches also use the non-conference schedule as a chance to experiment with different lineups.

Simply, it's a time to test combinations ahead of conference play, when there's no margin for error.

Colorado coach Tad Boyle is no different. Boyle has taken full advantage of the opportunity thus far to mix and match players in a variety of lineups, and he'll no doubt continue looking at different combinations Wednesday night when the Buffs play host to Air Force in a 7 p.m. game at the Coors Events Center (Pac-12 Networks).

Through the first four games, eight Buffs are averaging at least 15 minutes per game, with another averaging nearly 14. It's by no means been a platoon system, as Boyle has looked at a wide variety of possibilities.

"That's what the preseason is for, to look at different lineups and different combinations," Boyle said. "God willing we stay healthy and nobody gets hurt, but if they do, you have to be able to adjust. And we know we're going to need that depth when we get to conference."

So far, the only real constant for the Buffs has been in the frontcourt, where senior Josh Scott is averaging more than 30 minutes per game and Wesley Gordon is averaging 25. When one of them needs a rest, it's usually sophomore Tory Miller (13.8 minutes per game) coming off the bench.

After that, Boyle has been experimenting with a variety of combinations.

At the wings, Boyle has rotated sophomore George King, junior Tre'Shaun Fletcher and junior Josh Fortune on a fairly even basis. Fletcher and Fortune both have three starts and King two, but King is the leader in minutes played, averaging 25.8 per game (second-high on the team). Fletcher has averaged just under 24 per game while Fortune is playing just under 22.

It's a rotation Buffs fans could see for much of the year, as Boyle said he'll juggle the lineup depending not only on the opponent, but also on how each of the three is rebounding and playing defense.

"I've never read too much into starting lineups," Boyle said. "It's who finishes that's important."

The scenario has been similar thus far at point guard. Sophomore Dominique Collier has started all four games, and is averaging 21.5 minutes per game. Freshman Thomas Akyazili has been playing 16.0 per game and senior Xavier Talton has been seeing about 18 minutes per game. Akyazili and Talton have spent a good portion of their time at the point, but have also spent some time at off-guard on occasion.

"Dom and Thomas are both still in the development stage of running this team," Boyle said. "I'm still on Dom about being vocal and getting us into whatever we're supposed to be in."

Collier has had his moments. In Sunday's win over Portland, he finished with 13 points (including a perfect 6-for-6 night from the foul line) four rebounds and three steals; and he had an eight-point, five-assist effort against Auburn. He's also reduced his turnovers after recording six in the season opener, with just one in each of his last two games.

But he's also found himself in foul trouble, with at least three personal fouls in each of the last three games.

"There's flashes," Boyle said of Collier's progress. "It's not happening for 40 minutes, it's not consistent — but it's a very difficult position, because there's a lot of responsibility that comes with it. He and Thomas are both making strides, there's no question."

The 3-1 Falcons bring a three-game win streak into Wednesday's contest. After dropping the season opener at Southern Illinois, Air Force rebounded to win home games against Tennessee Tech, Mississippi Valley State and Robert Morris. Sophomore guard Trevor Lyons leads Air Force in scoring at 17.3 points per game, and he's also the team leader in steals with 13. Junior forward Hayden Graham tops the Falcons in rebounds (9.5 rpg) and assists (4.8 apg) while averaging 16.0 points per game.

The Buffs have two more home games directly ahead after Wednesday's game. They host Northern Colorado on Sunday (1 p.m.) and Fort Lewis on Dec. 2 (6 p.m.) before taking a short road trip to Fort Collins on Dec. 6 for a noon game with Colorado State.

Wednesday's game will be the 25th meeting between CU and Air Force, with the Buffaloes holding a 21-3 series lead. The Buffaloes have won five straight in the series, including a 68-53 decision in Boulder last year. Colorado has won 10 of 11 all-time meetings in Boulder. The lone Air Force win in Boulder was also its last win in the series, 84-46, on Nov. 18, 2006.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu