Colorado’s return to the Big 12 Conference hasn’t been enjoyable, but the Buffaloes can finish up the regular season on a positive note when they host TCU on Saturday afternoon in Boulder, Colo.
Colorado (11-19, 2-17) endured a 13-game losing streak to open conference play and will finish in last place after winning a program-record 26 games last year. It has been a tough transition season, especially for upperclassmen Javon Ruffin and Julian Hammond III, who will be honored before Saturday’s senior game along with graduate transfers Trevor Baskin and Andrej Jakimovski.
“Play for our seniors. Play for somebody outside of yourself, and hopefully you can gain some inspiration and some motivation from that,” coach Tad Boyle said.
Hammond, at 12.4 points per game, is the only player averaging in double figures but aggravated a back injury in a loss at Kansas State and missed Wednesday’s loss at Texas Tech. Boyle said Friday that Hammond will play in his Senior Day game, but his minutes may be limited.
Outside Hammond, the scoring burden will fall to Jakimovski (9.9 ppg), Bangot Dak (8.4) and Elijah Malone (7.7).
The Horned Frogs (16-14, 9-10) have dropped three of four, the last coming at home against Baylor after the game was tied in the final seconds.
“The thing now is get ready for Colorado, playing for that bye, we’re playing for 10 wins,” coach Jamie Dixon said after the loss to the Bears.
TCU has a chance to finish the league season at .500 and improve its seeding in next week’s conference tournament. The Horned Frogs are led by two guards, Noah Reynolds (12.3 ppg) and Vasean Allette (11.7).
TCU won the first meeting against the Buffaloes, 68-57 on Feb. 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, behind a career-high 19 points from David Punch. The freshman has scored double figures in two of the last four games and is averaging 6.7 points while playing in all 30 games.
–Field Level Media
