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).