Colorado’s long first year back in the Big 12 nearing its end | College Basketball Insider

BOULDER Tad Boyle may wonder if anybody cares what he thinks about the changing college basketball landscape, but when the 15-year Colorado coach opens his mouth, people should listen.

Whether its NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment and, lately, a shrinking roster that is taking away over 1,000 walk-on spots across the country, its quite clear no one in charge asked Boyle about his opinion on what he would fix about the sport.

Colorado head coach Tad Boyle reacts to his team's defense during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.

(AP Photo/Annie Rice) Its unlikely, but maybe theyll listen now when Boyle says there needs to be transparency in terms of how much money each program (and coach) has at its disposal now that revenue sharing is going into effect this summer with NIL on top of it for many schools.

Every university is gonna have $20.5 million to divide up, Boyle said ahead of the Buffaloes final game of the regular season (Saturday 2 p.m.

vs.

TCU).

Well, the people should know how the University of Colorado is dividing that money up.

People should know how the University of Texas is dividing that money up.

Just in the spirit of transparency.

Now, your coaches, your players, your fans know where your priorities lie.

A lack of transparency currently is why Boyle is abstaining from voting for Big 12 coach of the year this season.

Hes got nothing against his peers and he admitted hed vote for Houstons Kelvin Sampson if he did decide to send one in.

But its clear Boyle would love to vote based on how much money is spent on the rest of the rosters in the conference.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson cuts down the net after an NCAA college basketball game against Cincinnati Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Houston.

Houston won 73-64 to win the regular-season Big 12 Conference Championship.

(AP Photo/David J.

Phillip) Because that has a lot to do with it, Boyle said.

As we move forward, everybody's revenue-sharing number is going to determine the level of commitment each school has for each sport.

We shouldnt be afraid of making that information public, but we are and thats unfortunate.

When you go into recruiting battles, you dont know what to believe and what not to believe.

Some people have gotten rid of their collectives, some people havent.

The schools that havent are gonna be able to invest more money in their given sports, if they choose to.

Theres gonna be rules around that and parameters, but people will get very creative with those rules.

What Boyle isnt saying there, but would probably like to, is the investment at CU has a lot to do with the Buffs disappointing first season back in the Big 12 in 14 years a 2-17 record in conference play and the lonely spot at the bottom of the standings.

Even after spending the year traveling around to face some of the best teams in the country and in some of the best environments in the country, many of which he as complimented in a hint of what he aspires CU to be, nothing really has changed for Boyle and his program.

The coaches are really good, the players are really good and the venues are really hard to play in, Boyle said, repeating talking points hes brought up all year.

Boyle is still confident in him and his veteran coaching staff, but what this season has made clear is that the Buffs dont have enough talent or an imposing enough home environment to compete with the cream of the crop in the Big 12.

Regardless of where CU was picked in the preseason media poll (15th out of 16 teams), this season has been the worst of the Boyle era when it comes to the expectations he has year in and year out for his program.

Colorado forward Bangot Dak (8) n the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb.

24, 2025, in Boulder, Colo.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) My expectations are the same every year, Boyle said.

"Its not like I look at certain teams and say, Oh, I expect these guys to win how many games.

We expect to be in the top half of our league, we expect to be competing for a high seed in the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

Those expectations dont change based on who we have.

Some teams can meet those and some teams cant.

This teams not come close to meeting them.

How the Buffs get closer to meeting those expectations next year and beyond is simple: they need to get better players.

But thats easier said than done.

We want to recruit the best players we can get, Boyle said.

We need to have future NBA players on our roster for us to be competitive in this league or the league we came from.

That hasnt changed.

If only we knew how much money was really being spent by every program in the country.

Thats what I would like.

But, Im just the coach at Colorado.

Who gives a s what I think? Boyle said.

1.

San Francisco San Francisco guard Malik Thomas takes the ball up the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference men's tournament Monday, March 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) The WCC has often been a two-bid league with Gonzagas long streak and the strong run Saint Marys has been on over the last 15 years, but its not often a three-bid league.

It has the chance to be that this year if the Dons run the table and wins the conference tournament as the No.

3 seed.

San Francisco is certainly deserving as a 23-win team that won seven of its last nine games in the regular season.

2.

Colorado State Colorado State head coach Niko Medved argues with a referee in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb.

11, 2025, in Logan, Utah.

(Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) The Rams might not longer need to win the Mountain West tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament after Friday's massive, 83-73 win at Boise State that seals the No.

2 seed in the conference tournament for Niko Medved's team.

Still, Niko Medved's team has work to do in Las Vegas and they're playing as well as anybody in the conference.

Might as well cut down some nets to ensure a spot in March Madness.

3.

Kansas State Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang talks with guard Dug McDaniel (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State Saturday, Feb.

1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Lets be honest, the winner of the Big 12 tournament is probably going to be one of the eight teams already solidly in the NCAA Tournament field, and even in that group its even more likely that its one of the top four seeds.

But if anyone is capable of getting hot in Kansas City and surprising everyone, its Kansas State.

In late January, the Wildcats were 7-11 overall and 1-6 in conference play.

But theyve won eight of their last 12 (including a six-game winning streak) and have beaten almost all the top teams in the conference.

4.

Rutgers Rutgers guards Dylan Harper, left, and Ace Bailey sit court side before the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama Wednesday, Nov.

27, 2024, in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/David Becker) Just like the Big 12, its hard to see someone outside the top five in the conference standings winning the Big Ten tournament.

And even though this season has been largely a disappointment, dont count out the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers has as much high-end talent as anyone in the conference with star freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.

Its not too far-fetched to picture a world where the future NBA lottery picks lead a magical run in Indianapolis.

5.

UC Irvine UC Irvine coach Russell Turner yells during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State on Saturday, Dec.

9, 2023, in San Diego.

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy) At 27-4, UC San Diego deserves a spot in March Madness no matter what, even if UC Irvine wins the Big West tournament.

To be honest, both teams deserve to play in the NCAA Tournament, but the Anteaters are currently on the outside looking in on the bubble.

Star center Bent Leuchten would be a scary matchup for a five or six seed if UC Irvine wins its way into the big dance.

Oklahoma 96, No.

15 Missouri 84 Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears (0) celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March.

5, 2025, in Norman, Okla.

(AP Photo/Gerald Leong) The Sooners kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with just their second win in their last nine games, which tells you how good the SEC is that a team on a 2-7 run in the late stages of the regular season is still in contention to earn a bid to March Madness.

But thats just the reality we live in.

Standout freshman guard Jeremiah Fears had the best game in SEC play, pouring in a game-high 31 points on an efficient 9-for-13 from the field and 12-for-12 from the free throw line.

If Oklahoma does get into the dance, Fears will be a player you have to tune in to watch.

Northern Colorado's Langston Reynolds, who played at Denver East and Colorado Prep, has helped the program to its best overall start since the 2009-10 season.

(Courtesy UNC Athletics/Kassidy Schwartz) Weve talked about them recently, but Northern Colorado officially clinched their first regular season Big Sky championship since 2011 (which was later vacated by the NCAA).

Steve Smileys Bears are 23-8 overall after a 15-3 record in conference play and now theyre the No.

1 seed in the Big Sky tournament (otherwise known as Starch Madness), which kicks off this weekend in Boise.

UNC has only been to one NCAA Tournament since transitioning to Division I and that was during the vacated 2011 season, but the Bears have their best chance since to get back and potentially be the state of Colorados only representative in the big dance.

Colorado forward Jeriah Horne (41) gets a basket on a dunk against Georgetown in the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021.

Colorado defeated Georgetown 96-73.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy) With Senior Day on tap for the Buffs on Saturday, lets highlight one of the more underrated members of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament team at CU.

Jeriah Horne was only in Boulder for one season (and never got to play in front of the fans) but still played a big part in one the best seasons of the Tad Boyle era.

Now, hes playing for Alba Fehervar in the top league, where hes averaging 14.1 points per game in 21 appearances and still knocking down 3-pointers at a high rate (just over 40%)..

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