Woelk: Boyle Says Buffs Must Regain 'Edge'

BOULDER — Just a few years ago, it was a trademark of Tad Boyle's Colorado teams.

The Buffs, no matter who or where they played, hit the floor with an edge to their game. They carried a chip on their shoulders, a demeanor that dared people to underestimate them, a passion fueled by an urge to prove their detractors wrong.

But over the last couple of years — in particular, last season — that edge slowly disappeared. Some of the fire gave way to a hint of complacency, a touch of entitlement, brought on perhaps in part by their own success: after three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years, the Buffs were expected to be good.

But those good times are now only a memory. The Buffs did win 19 games last season, but have been to just one NCAA Tournament in the last three years and have just three players on their roster who have even played in an NCAA Tournament game.

Thus, as they prepare for the 2017-18 season, Boyle said it's high time the Buffs rediscover that sharpness they once carried so prominently.

"We have to have an edge that we didn't have last year," Boyle said at Wednesday's Media Day at the Coors Events Center. "(That edge) has kind of come and gone, but we have to play with it every single year and every single game, every single day."

There will be no lack of motivation for this year's Buffs to do just that, at least in terms of expectations. The bottom line is — well, the bottom. The Buffs are picked to finish ninth in the conference, a prediction that if proven true will be the lowest finish ever for CU in the Pac-12.

"If our guys don't have an edge after that, I don't know what will create that," Boyle said.

What Boyle has definitely made clear since Day One this year is there will be no room for a sense of entitlement. For players who have started in the past, it means there are no guarantees of regaining those spots. For players new to the program, the door is wide open — and it's a big door. This year's roster features six true freshmen, two redshirt freshmen and a transfer — nine players who have never played a minute in a Colorado game.

"When you have so many freshmen they realize there are literally spots to be earned," Boyle said. "I want our seniors to be pushed by our freshmen, I want them looking over their shoulders. … The one message I've given this team is that there isn't a starting lineup. Nobody in here should feel comfortable. What you did last year has no bearing on this year, whether you're a senior or a freshman, it doesn't matter. I want our players to feel like there is playing time to be earned. There's no entitlement, you have to come to work every day and battle."

But despite the youth and inexperience on the roster, Boyle has not dialed back the program's goals. While he has expressed a desire to hit a "reset" button in terms of the team's overall demeanor, he also made it clear he has no desire to endure a rebuilding year.

"It's a whole new look but I love this team," Boyle said. "I love coaching this team every day. I love their spirit, I love their competitiveness, I love their effort, and our goal this year is no different than in years past: we want to compete for a Pac-12 championship, qualify for the NCAA Tournament, and to be playing our best basketball in the month of March."

For that to happen, the Buffs will have to develop quickly. There are some experienced veterans — seniors George King, Tory Miller-Stewart and Dominique Collier have all logged plenty of minutes over the years — but after that, Boyle and his staff will be turning to a large group of talented but mostly untested players.

The newcomers have all shown flashes thus far in fall practice.

"D'Shawn Schwartz has had some great moments," Boyle said. "Tyler Bey has great moments. Evan Battey has great moments. Dallas Walton has had some really good moments, Alex Strating continues to improve and get better. The freshman class is going to be up, it's going to be down, that's the nature of freshman — but hopefully they can reach a maturity and consistency as the season unfolds."

But one freshman Boyle and his staff may be expecting more from right away is point guard McKinley Wright IV, who has been consistently impressive.

"A guy that's certainly stood out head and shoulders above the rest is McKinley Wright," Boyle said. "Physically, mentally, emotionally, he has really stepped up for a freshman. … McKinley has been the kind of day in, day out guy in terms of the freshman class so far."

Still, there's no doubt the Buffs will need contributions from their seniors.

King, last season's leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, is a player who could average a double-double as well as someone who will be expected to play a large leadership role. Miller-Stewart, meanwhile, will be expected to add post presence defense and rebounding while Collier's versatility — he can play point guard and shooting guard — will be valuable.

The Buffs will play one closed scrimmage and one exhibition game (Oct. 30 vs. Colorado Mines) before opening the season Nov. 10 at home against Northern Colorado. It means Boyle and his staff have roughly three weeks to come up with a starting lineup and regular rotation.

"The nice thing about this year's team is that it's not about the starting lineup because we're going to have quality depth," Boyle said. "The key with this year's team is who's going to finish games. … We'll have the chance to play big with certain lineups, we've got the chance to play small with certain lineups. I don't know the starting lineup as of today, that's something I'm kind of evaluating on a day-to-day basis."

Boyle also — perhaps inadvertently — made a veiled reference to last year, when the Buffs lost several games in the final minute of regulation or overtime.

"I don't put a lot of stock into the starting lineup," he said. "I'm more concerned with who's finishing the game in one-point game with a minute to go. I have to put five guys out there who I trust to do the things we expect them to and who can get it done."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu