Colorado men’s basketball returns to the hardwood, tips off preseason practice

Colorado Buffaloes men's hoops began organized practice Wednesday morning, wiping the slate clean from a dismal 2024-25 season. (Photo by Oliver Hayes/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes tipped off the preseason with their first open practice on Wednesday.

Among the most notable developments was Bangot’s Dak return to action. The sophomore forward missed the entire offseason with a knee injury and was sidelined during the Buffs’ trip to Australia. Although he’s not flying high just yet, Dak was a full participant in practice yesterday. 

“I think the offseason was pretty good, physically and mentally,” Dak said. “I didn't get a lot of reps on the court because of the knee surgery, but I feel like mentally and body-wise, I was able to take another step where I need to be for the next season.”

CU also got its first look at forward Alon Michaeli, an Israeli recruit who didn't practice with the team over the summer but joined the group on the court Wednesday.

With the new additions and departures of players such as point guard Julian Hammond III and forward Andrej Jakimovski, leadership in the locker room remains unsettled. Head coach Tad Boyle said he expects those who stuck around to step up.

“I’m really encouraging the returning players,” Boyle said. “Those guys that have been here before are the ones I expect.”

A season ago, rebounding and turnover issues riddled Colorado, often spoiling games for it down the stretch. Boyle focused his recruiting efforts on players who can aid those Buffalo struggles while also sticking to his defense-first roots.

“Help defenders, we’ve got a lot of work,” Boyle said on the team's state defensively. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can guard the ball. For everybody, if you can’t guard the ball, you aren’t going to play; they’re starting to figure it out.”

With just under a month until the season begins, Boyle stressed the importance of building habits.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, a lot of things we have to get better at and habits we have to build,” Boyle said. “I think that's the biggest thing, the habits and the execution of those habits.”