Colorado
Colorado men’s basketball begins two-game Big 12 road swing at Cincinnati
At the moment, Bangot Dak is going up and getting ‘em as well as any rebounder during Colorado’s Tad Boyle era.
Yet even a performance on the defensive glass unseen in years wasn’t enough to curb the Buffaloes’ habit of surrendering offensive rebounds.
The CU men’s basketball team has struggled defensively throughout the season and, more recently, it has also struggled on the glass. Yet CU has an opportunity to correct both shortcomings on Wednesday, as it begins a two-game Big 12 trip against a Cincinnati team that has struggled offensively.
“Coach just tells me to go get it at the highest point. I feel like if I can do that, there’s not a lot of people that we’re going to play against that can go up and get it,” Dak said. “I’m starting to realize that and I’m just going up to get it at the highest point.
“Coach has just been on us about getting those rebounds. I feel like if no one else is going to do it, I’ve got to do it. Coach says no one is going to do the dirty work for you, so somebody has got to step up and do it. I’m trying to make sure teams can’t get offensive rebounds against us.”
Dak has recorded double-digit rebounding totals in each of the past three games and four of the past six, grabbing a career-high 13 during Saturday’s loss against Texas Tech. All 13 of those rebounds occurred on the defensive glass, giving Dak the most defensive rebounds in a game since Jabari Walker recorded 14 against California on Feb. 17, 2022. It’s the most rebounds by a CU player without grabbing a single offensive rebound since Andre Roberson recorded 14 against Dayton on Nov. 15, 2012.
Dak’s rebounding surge, however, hasn’t kept the opposition off the offensive glass, as the Buffs have surrendered at least 12 offensive rebounds in each of the past three games and five of the past seven. While CU will be challenged to correct that against the Bearcats, the matchup also presents an opportunity for the Buffs to put together an improved defensive performance.
Cincinnati began the week ranked last in the Big 12 in scoring (73.6), field goal percentage (.425), 3-point percentage (.311) and free throw percentage (.638). Those struggles can be partially attributed to a few personnel issues as Jizzle James, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection last year, missed the first 10 games of the season while dealing with a personal matter. James has averaged 11.8 points in six games since returning.
And although the Bearcats enter Wednesday’s matchup 0-3 in the conference, they lost those games by a combined 10 points, opening the Big 12 slate with a seven-point defeat against No. 7 Houston. Last week, Cincinnati lost road games against West Virginia and Central Florida by a combined three points.
“Everybody says they’re struggling offensively. I watched them play Central Florida and they looked pretty good to me,” Boyle said. “They’ve got some guys that can shoot the ball. Cincinnati has got players. They’ve got dudes. Now, they’re a little bit snakebit. They’re 0-3, but to me they’re the best 0-3 team in any league I’ve seen. Cincinnati’s talented. They’re not going to roll over.
“I always say the most dangerous kind of animal is that wounded one on the side of the road. I’m sure that’s how Cincinnati feels right now. It’s not going to be easy. They’ve got talented guys. And I think they’re better offensively than maybe their numbers show. They’ve got good players. We’ve got to be ready.”
CU Buffs men’s basketball at Cincinnati Bearcats
TIPOFF: Wednesday, 5 p.m. MT, Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio.
TV/RADIO: Peacock/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
RECORDS: Colorado 12-4, 2-1 Big 12 Conference; Cincinnati 8-8, 0-3.
COACHES: Colorado — Tad Boyle, 16th season (324-208, 380-274 overall); Cincinnati — Wes Miller, 5th season (90-67, 275-202 overall).
KEY PLAYERS: Cincinnati — F Baba Miller, 6-11, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, .570 FG%); G Day Day Thomas, 6-1, Gr. (12.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, .451 3%); C Moustapha Thiam, 7-2, So. (11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, .573 FG%); G Jizzle James, 6-3, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.7 rpg); G Shon Abaev, 6-8, Fr. (8.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg); G Kerr Kriisa, 6-3, Gr. (7.3 ppg, 3.8 apg); G Sencire Harris, 6-4, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Colorado — G Isaiah Johnson, 6-1, Fr. (15.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, .504 FG%, .444 3%); F Sebastian Rancik, 6-11, So. (13.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Barrington Hargress, 6-1, R-Jr. (13.6 ppg, 4.8 apg, .567 FG%, .528 3%); F Bangot Dak, 7-0, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, .483 FG%); F Alon Michaeli, 6-9, Fr. (9.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .459 FG%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr. (6.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, .586 FG%); G Felix Kossaras, 6-6, So. (6.2 ppg, .547 FG%).
NOTES: Cincinnati leads the all-time series 8-1, including a win last year at the CU Events Center. The Bearcats have won all three of their home games against the Buffs, but CU hasn’t visited Cincinnati since Dec. 28, 1981. … Dak enjoyed a big game against Cincinnati last year, recording 19 points and eight rebounds in a loss at the CU Events Center. … Kriisa, a familiar CU foe from his time at Arizona, has missed the past two games due to a shoulder injury. … While Cincinnati has struggled offensively, the Bearcats began the week ranked fourth in the Big 12 in points allowed (65.8) and sixth in defensive field goal percentage (.407). … The Buffs lead the Big 12 with a .781 free throw percentage. CU has recorded an .874 free throw percentage over the past six games. … CU’s road trip continues on Saturday at West Virginia (4 p.m. MT, CBS Sports Network).
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
A powerful search engine that organizes and provides access to vast information on the internet.
Colorado
Julian Lewis Says Deion Sanders’ Colorado ‘Wasn’t Really Looking at Defenses Much’ Last Season
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis made a stunning admission that could explain the team’s 3-9 finish to the 2025 season.
While speaking to ESPNU at Big 12 media days, Lewis was asked what the biggest difference was between last year and this year, and he revealed that the Deion Sanders-coached Buffaloes typically didn’t watch film during his first season with the team.
“My play, I’m actually looking at the defenses now,” Lewis said. “Last year, we wasn’t really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school free-balling, just out there playing football. But it’s a lot bigger than that now, so it should be fun.”
Before taking a redshirt year, Lewis played in four games as a true freshman with two starts and threw for 589 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 55.3 percent of his passes. He should fare even better this season with the benefit of film study.
Lewis will enter the 2026 campaign as Colorado’s starting quarterback, so he will have the opportunity to show his improvements when the Buffaloes open the year against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
-
Business4 minutes agoCalifornia soccer fans sue StubHub after it fails to deliver expensive World Cup tickets
-
Entertainment6 minutes agoLucas Museum to give free annual passes to South L.A. neighbors, host community preview day
-
Lifestyle12 minutes agoMeow Wolf taps famed L.A. animation house for its new Los Angeles venue
-
Politics19 minutes ago
Column: Trump decries ‘communism’ while his government takes ownership of companies
-
Science22 minutes ago‘I’d rather my house burn down than get cancer’: Herbicide use upends California’s fight to save forests
-
Sports27 minutes agoDodgers scheduled to visit White House in late July to celebrate 2025 World Series win
-
World37 minutes agoFormer US Olympian pleads not guilty in DC reflecting pool vandalism case
-
News1 hour agoFormer Olympian pleads not guilty in reflecting pool vandalism charges
