CU Junior Brown Could Be Key Piece Of Puzzle For Boyle's Buffs

BOULDER — On a team built upon a foundation of defense, the Colorado Buffaloes expect junior guard Deleon Brown to be an important piece of the puzzle this season.

Brown — who missed the final eight games of the season last year with a broken bone in his hand — this year finds himself in the role of upperclassman leader. CU coach Tad Boyle has made it clear he expects Brown to be a factor defensively as well as take that role of leader seriously in all areas.

"I want to make sure he understands how important the off-the-floor and the academic piece is," Boyle said. "But on the floor, defensively, he's a presence for us. He can really guard. He has great understanding of what we're trying to do. I think Deleon is going to be a key factor for us this year. We need for Deleon to play like an upperclassman because he is an upperclassman now."

Brown has been a steady contributor for the Buffs in his first two seasons. Last year, he averaged 5.0 points and 1.2 rebounds, but was most valuable on the defensive end. At 6-foot-4 with good length and quickness, he can defend on the wing and also play the point if necessary.

"We're giving him some reps at the point and he can play the two," Boyle said. "There may be times where we play a three-guard lineup and he's one of the three. He's capable of that."

The Buffs will no doubt have a variety of options when it comes to their lineup. They can go "big" with 7-0 Dallas Walton, 6-8 Evan Battey and 6-7 Tyler Bey across the front; or they can go with a guard-heavy lineup that could include 6-0 starting point guard McKinley Wright, 6-2 shooting guard Shane Gatling and either 6-5 senior Namon Wright and Brown. Also figuring heavily into the equation will be 6-7 wing D'Shawn Schwartz and 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert.

But Brown knows his versatility and defensive skills will be the key to his playing time.

"I've always been a defense-first guy, but I want to be more of a defensive presence this year," he said. "Now that I'm an upperclassman and settled in, I know my spots, I know my rotations. I can step out a little bit more and make things happen."

Brown has shown the ability to score, hitting double figures three times times last year. But, as Boyle said, he is a streaky shooter who must improve his consistency in that area.

Most of all, Brown will be expected to provide a steady presence.

"Two years in, I know the system, I know what coach expects," he said. "My job nowis to teach the young guys what I know and help their transition be as smooth as possible. We have some new guys, some returning guys and a lot of potential. We could be a really good team this year if we keep working like we are."

COMPETITIVE WORKOUTS: As the Buffs inch closer to their season opener — they face Colorado Mines in a Nov. 3 exhibition game, then host Drake in their Nov. 13 opener — Boyle continues to be pleased with the effort in practice.

"We're showing some progress," Boyle said. "You watch film and you think, 'Oh boy, we have light years to go.' But again, when I look at this team I love our competitive spirit. they really go at each other every day, they compete. As long as they keep doing that, I think we'll be OK."

Part of that competitiveness, Boyle said, is a product a battle for playing time. The Buffs aren't anywhere close to a starting lineup or even a rotation.

"It's a result of having guys that are really talented who believe in themselves and want to play," Boyle said. "I don't want guys to take back seats…. When you have eight or nine or 10 guys who aren't going to take a backseat, the level of your practices go up significantly."

BATTEY BRINGS 'THE FIGHT': It has now been more than two full years since redshirt freshman Evan Battey has played in a game that counts.

He was ineligible for his senior year in high school because of a snafu in his freshman season. He was then declared ineligible by the NCAA as a freshman at CU last season, a year that became even more complicated after he suffered a stroke in December.

But he is now fully recovered, healthy — and playing at a level that has Boyle and Battey's teammates excited.

"He knows now that he gets to play," Boyle said. "There's a light at the end of that tunnel and it's not a train. It's the opportunity to play college basketball. He's been through a lot and had to overcome a lot of things to get to this point. I can see that he feels that."

Boyle said he can tell the difference in Battey's energy even from a year ago, when he knew he was facing another season of practicing but not playing.

" I was thinking the other day, coach (Mike) MacIntyre with the football team always says, 'Welcome to the fight,'" Boyle said. "Evan Battey brings the fight with him. He just brings the fight to the court, to the post. His presence is felt and he exerts his will and physicality. We have to get him to play without fouling defensively. Offensively he brings the fight to you every time."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu