Colorado University Athletics
Friday, November 14
Boulder, Colo.
7 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Providence
Buffaloes Host Providence Friday
November 13, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Game 3 - Providence, Friday, November 14, 2025
CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
Tip: 7:01 p.m. MT
Watch: ESPN+ (Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke) https://buffs.me/3K0HVSs
Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Jerry Schemmel)
Listen Online: Sirius XM 392, SXM App 982
Live Statistics: http://statb.us/b/611115
THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 2-0 for the third-straight season and ninth time in the last 10 years after a 102-97 overtime win over Eastern Washington on Nov. 8. The Buffaloes defeated another Big Sky Conference school, Montana State, 84-78, in the season opener on Nov. 3.
With the win over Eastern Washington, Colorado improved to 44-2 all-time when scoring 100 points. Before the win over the Eagles, Colorado's last 100-point game came in an NCAA Tournament win over Florida, 102-100, on March 22, 2024. It was Colorado's first 100-point game at home since a 106-79 win over Milwaukee on Nov. 14, 2023. Colorado's 11 3-pointers made were its most since the Buffaloes had 13 in that same Milwaukee game.
Colorado climbed to .500 all-time in overtime games, now with a record of 57-57. The Buffaloes have won their last three overtime games and five of the last six. Colorado's win over Eastern Washington came exactly one-year to the date of the Buffaloes' last overtime matchup, also the second game of the season and against a Big Sky team. On Nov. 8, 2024, the Buffaloes needed two extra sessions against Northern Colorado to scratch out a 90-88 victory. Colorado improved to 34-23 in overtime at home (.596).
Colorado got the win despite some rough defensive numbers. Eastern Washington shot 59.7 percent for the game, the sixth-highest opponent field goal percentage in the Tad Boyle era (since 2010-11). It's the highest opponent field goal percentage in a win during that same time frame. The Buffaloes won for just the 13th time in their last 65 games (13-52) when the opponent shoots 51.9 percent or better. The Buffs achieved that feat for the second-straight game as they allowed 51.9 percent to Montana State in the opener.
SCORING BALANCE: Against Montana State, the Buffaloes had five players score in double figures, led by true freshman Isaiah Johnson's 24 points. Graduate senior Elijah Malone had 10 points and a CU personal-best 13 rebounds. Sophomore Sebastian Rancik had 13 points while junior Bangot Dak had 12 and junior transfer Barrington Hargress had in his Buffaloes debut.
The scoring balance was a welcome sight for Colorado, which went without a game last season with five double-figure scorers. The last time the Buffaloes had five in double-digits was the NCAA Tournament first round win over Florida, on March 22, 2024.
Colorado had four players in double figures against Eastern Washington led by Sebastian Rancik's 24 points. Three other Buffaloes had eight in the contest.
SEBI'S CAREER NIGHT: Sophomore Sebastian Rancik scored a career-high 24 points and dished out a personal-best four assists in the win over Eastern Washington. He hit 11 of 12 from the free throw line, both career highs.
Rancik recorded his first career 20-point game and led the Buffaloes in scoring for the fourth time in his career. Had three 3-pointers, the third career game with multiple 3-point field goals, just one off his personal best of four, which came in last year's game with Eastern Washington, in his collegiate debut. His 11 free throws made are the most by a Buff since KJ Simpson had 13 against Washington State on Dec. 31, 2023.
JOHNSON'S MONSTER DEBUT: Isaiah Johnson's 24 points against Montana State marked the second-most by a Colorado freshman in a debut. Johnson made 6 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, while hitting 10 of 12 free throw attempts.
The record for a CU freshman debut is 31 points by Emmett Lewis, who had 31 against New Mexico on Nov. 29, 1975. Lewis would go on to become the first of seven Buffs to ever lead the team in scoring for a season, averaging 15.0 in 1975-76.
Overall, his 24 points ties for the 13th best single-game total by a Colorado freshman. The last to reach that mark was current Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker, who scored 24 against Georgetown in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
All 24 of Johnson's points came in the second half, the most in any one half by a Colorado freshman. Overall his 24 points in one half ties for the 12th-best mark by a Buff, regardless of class.
MALONE'S IMPRESSIVE LINE: Graduate center Elijah Malone filled up the stat line nicely against Montana State, finishing with 10 points and a trio of CU personal-bests with 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Through the first two weeks of the season, he is the only player in NCAA Division I basketball to have a game with double-figure points and rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The double-double was his second as a Buffalo, and actually is second in a row as he finished off the 2024-25 season with a 17-point, 10-rebound performance against Villanova in the College Basketball Crown Tournament. Overall it's the 28th double-double of his collegiate career (26 at Grace).
Malone's 13 rebounds are his best at Colorado and fifth overall; he had 17 with Grace against Cornerstone on Dec. 30, 2021. His four steals are a career-high, both CU and Grace. Malone's five assists are one off his Grace best, as he dished out six at Taylor (Ind.) on Feb. 13, 2021.
ABOUT THE FRIARS: Providence is 2-1 overall, coming off a 106-81 home win over Penn on Nov. 11. The Friars have been scorching hot on the offensive end, averaging 98.7 points over their first three games. Providence is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and an impressive 84.0 percent from the free throw line. The Friars have given up 89.0 points per game, including 106 to Virginia Tech in their season's only setback on Nov. 8.
The Friars have six players averaging double figures in scoring led by graduate guard Jason Edwards who is averaging a team-best 17.7 points and 3.3 assists per game. Graduate guard Jaylin Sellers and freshman guard Stefan Vaaks are both averaging 16.7 points and are a combined 21 of 22 from the free throw line (.955). Sophomore forward Oswin Erhunmwunse leads Providence in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and blocks (3.7 bpg) and has yet to miss any kind of shot this season. Erhunmwunse, averaging 7.7 points per game, has hit on all nine field goal attempts and all five tries from the free throw line.
THE SERIES: This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Providence. The Buffaloes were 1-1 against Big East Conference teams last year. Colorado upset defending national champion and then-No. 2 ranked UConn, 73-72, in the Maui Invitational. The Buffaloes' season ended with a loss to Villanova, 85-64, in the first round of the College Basketball Crown
Providence will be playing its first game in the state of Colorado in its history. The game will be the furthest west on an opponent's home court for the Friars since playing at San Diego State on Dec. 31, 2004. Providence played three neutral site games in Anaheim, Calif., at the Wooden Legacy during the 2019-20 nonconference schedule. The Friars are set for a pair of games in San Diego in a couple of weeks at the Rady's Children Invitational, Nov. 27-28.
CONNECTIONS: Providence head coach Kim English was a Colorado assistant on Tad Boyle's staff from 2017-19. Danny Manning was the only current Colorado coaching staff member not part of the program while English was in Boulder. English coached current CU assistant Evan Battey during his redshirt and freshman seasons.
Colorado assistant Nate Tomlinson, who was the director of player development during that time, joined English when he took over at George Mason in 2021-22. After two seasons, Tomlinson headed to Providence with English before returning to Colorado as an assistant coach for this season.
CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
Tip: 7:01 p.m. MT
Watch: ESPN+ (Mark Johnson, Scott Wilke) https://buffs.me/3K0HVSs
Radio: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (Jerry Schemmel)
Listen Online: Sirius XM 392, SXM App 982
Live Statistics: http://statb.us/b/611115
THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 2-0 for the third-straight season and ninth time in the last 10 years after a 102-97 overtime win over Eastern Washington on Nov. 8. The Buffaloes defeated another Big Sky Conference school, Montana State, 84-78, in the season opener on Nov. 3.
With the win over Eastern Washington, Colorado improved to 44-2 all-time when scoring 100 points. Before the win over the Eagles, Colorado's last 100-point game came in an NCAA Tournament win over Florida, 102-100, on March 22, 2024. It was Colorado's first 100-point game at home since a 106-79 win over Milwaukee on Nov. 14, 2023. Colorado's 11 3-pointers made were its most since the Buffaloes had 13 in that same Milwaukee game.
Colorado climbed to .500 all-time in overtime games, now with a record of 57-57. The Buffaloes have won their last three overtime games and five of the last six. Colorado's win over Eastern Washington came exactly one-year to the date of the Buffaloes' last overtime matchup, also the second game of the season and against a Big Sky team. On Nov. 8, 2024, the Buffaloes needed two extra sessions against Northern Colorado to scratch out a 90-88 victory. Colorado improved to 34-23 in overtime at home (.596).
Colorado got the win despite some rough defensive numbers. Eastern Washington shot 59.7 percent for the game, the sixth-highest opponent field goal percentage in the Tad Boyle era (since 2010-11). It's the highest opponent field goal percentage in a win during that same time frame. The Buffaloes won for just the 13th time in their last 65 games (13-52) when the opponent shoots 51.9 percent or better. The Buffs achieved that feat for the second-straight game as they allowed 51.9 percent to Montana State in the opener.
SCORING BALANCE: Against Montana State, the Buffaloes had five players score in double figures, led by true freshman Isaiah Johnson's 24 points. Graduate senior Elijah Malone had 10 points and a CU personal-best 13 rebounds. Sophomore Sebastian Rancik had 13 points while junior Bangot Dak had 12 and junior transfer Barrington Hargress had in his Buffaloes debut.
The scoring balance was a welcome sight for Colorado, which went without a game last season with five double-figure scorers. The last time the Buffaloes had five in double-digits was the NCAA Tournament first round win over Florida, on March 22, 2024.
Colorado had four players in double figures against Eastern Washington led by Sebastian Rancik's 24 points. Three other Buffaloes had eight in the contest.
SEBI'S CAREER NIGHT: Sophomore Sebastian Rancik scored a career-high 24 points and dished out a personal-best four assists in the win over Eastern Washington. He hit 11 of 12 from the free throw line, both career highs.
Rancik recorded his first career 20-point game and led the Buffaloes in scoring for the fourth time in his career. Had three 3-pointers, the third career game with multiple 3-point field goals, just one off his personal best of four, which came in last year's game with Eastern Washington, in his collegiate debut. His 11 free throws made are the most by a Buff since KJ Simpson had 13 against Washington State on Dec. 31, 2023.
JOHNSON'S MONSTER DEBUT: Isaiah Johnson's 24 points against Montana State marked the second-most by a Colorado freshman in a debut. Johnson made 6 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, while hitting 10 of 12 free throw attempts.
The record for a CU freshman debut is 31 points by Emmett Lewis, who had 31 against New Mexico on Nov. 29, 1975. Lewis would go on to become the first of seven Buffs to ever lead the team in scoring for a season, averaging 15.0 in 1975-76.
Overall, his 24 points ties for the 13th best single-game total by a Colorado freshman. The last to reach that mark was current Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker, who scored 24 against Georgetown in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
All 24 of Johnson's points came in the second half, the most in any one half by a Colorado freshman. Overall his 24 points in one half ties for the 12th-best mark by a Buff, regardless of class.
MALONE'S IMPRESSIVE LINE: Graduate center Elijah Malone filled up the stat line nicely against Montana State, finishing with 10 points and a trio of CU personal-bests with 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Through the first two weeks of the season, he is the only player in NCAA Division I basketball to have a game with double-figure points and rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The double-double was his second as a Buffalo, and actually is second in a row as he finished off the 2024-25 season with a 17-point, 10-rebound performance against Villanova in the College Basketball Crown Tournament. Overall it's the 28th double-double of his collegiate career (26 at Grace).
Malone's 13 rebounds are his best at Colorado and fifth overall; he had 17 with Grace against Cornerstone on Dec. 30, 2021. His four steals are a career-high, both CU and Grace. Malone's five assists are one off his Grace best, as he dished out six at Taylor (Ind.) on Feb. 13, 2021.
ABOUT THE FRIARS: Providence is 2-1 overall, coming off a 106-81 home win over Penn on Nov. 11. The Friars have been scorching hot on the offensive end, averaging 98.7 points over their first three games. Providence is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and an impressive 84.0 percent from the free throw line. The Friars have given up 89.0 points per game, including 106 to Virginia Tech in their season's only setback on Nov. 8.
The Friars have six players averaging double figures in scoring led by graduate guard Jason Edwards who is averaging a team-best 17.7 points and 3.3 assists per game. Graduate guard Jaylin Sellers and freshman guard Stefan Vaaks are both averaging 16.7 points and are a combined 21 of 22 from the free throw line (.955). Sophomore forward Oswin Erhunmwunse leads Providence in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and blocks (3.7 bpg) and has yet to miss any kind of shot this season. Erhunmwunse, averaging 7.7 points per game, has hit on all nine field goal attempts and all five tries from the free throw line.
THE SERIES: This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Providence. The Buffaloes were 1-1 against Big East Conference teams last year. Colorado upset defending national champion and then-No. 2 ranked UConn, 73-72, in the Maui Invitational. The Buffaloes' season ended with a loss to Villanova, 85-64, in the first round of the College Basketball Crown
Providence will be playing its first game in the state of Colorado in its history. The game will be the furthest west on an opponent's home court for the Friars since playing at San Diego State on Dec. 31, 2004. Providence played three neutral site games in Anaheim, Calif., at the Wooden Legacy during the 2019-20 nonconference schedule. The Friars are set for a pair of games in San Diego in a couple of weeks at the Rady's Children Invitational, Nov. 27-28.
CONNECTIONS: Providence head coach Kim English was a Colorado assistant on Tad Boyle's staff from 2017-19. Danny Manning was the only current Colorado coaching staff member not part of the program while English was in Boulder. English coached current CU assistant Evan Battey during his redshirt and freshman seasons.
Colorado assistant Nate Tomlinson, who was the director of player development during that time, joined English when he took over at George Mason in 2021-22. After two seasons, Tomlinson headed to Providence with English before returning to Colorado as an assistant coach for this season.
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