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The Colorado Buffaloes kicked off their 2023-24 campaign with a resounding 94-59 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Monday night. Despite holding only a two-point lead at halftime, Colorado exploded in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 58-25 to turn the game into a blowout.
As the Buffaloes prepare to face the San Diego State Aztecs in the Bill Walton Classic on Saturday, there are both areas to improve and positive signs to build upon. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the season opener.
Offense Won't Solely Run Through Barrington Hargress
Barrington Hargress has been viewed as Colorado's centerpiece since announcing his return this offseason, with expectations that the offense would flow through him at the point guard position for most of the game while he shouldered the bulk of the scoring load. However, Saturday's game demonstrated that won't always be the case.
Hargress was certainly pivotal, logging 26 minutes and dishing out four assists—the second-most on the team—while rotating between point and shooting guard. Freshman Alex Dickeson and sophomore Josiah Sanders also spent significant time at the point. Hargress wasn't looking to pad his stats either, attempting just nine shots despite having many more opportunities, and finishing with 11 points. While the Buffaloes may turn to Hargress in crucial late-game moments, this type of rotation is likely to be the norm in most situations.
Guard Jalin Holland Shows Major Strides
Jalin Holland looked like a completely different player in this game, displaying improved mental fortitude and offensive skill. Holland led all scorers with a career-high 18 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds. He shot an impressive 8-for-12 from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. His shot selection was vastly improved, and he has the potential to be a real offensive weapon for Colorado.
Although he ran into early foul trouble, head coach Tad Boyle praised his response postgame. "The difference between Jalin Holland last year and Jalin Holland this year is that last year, those two fouls would've maybe had him checked out mentally," Boyle said. "He picked them up so early, I said, 'We've got to play him. I don't want to sit him for the rest of the half.' And we [played him] and he didn't pick up that third foul, fortunately, and then he was free to play a little bit more aggressively in the second half."
Rebounding Not a Major Concern in the Frontcourt
Entering the game, rebounding was a question mark for the Buffaloes, with Boyle noting uncertainty in the frontcourt. However, the backcourt did an excellent job taking pressure off the big men. While no Buffalo reached double-digit rebounds, six players grabbed four or more boards, contributing to a total of 39 for the night. Three of those players were guards, led by Holland, as Colorado out-rebounded Abilene Christian by 15.
After being out-rebounded in all three preseason scrimmages, it was a welcome sight for the Buffaloes to see a substantial advantage on the glass. While it remains to be seen whether they can count on such team efforts in Big 12 play, it was a great sign for the start of the season.