New lineup brings defense to life as Buffs snap losing streak

Freshman Jalin Holland driving to the rim against TCU Sunday afternoon. In his first career start, he recorded five points, five rebounds and four assists. (Photo by Paxton Haines/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (13-9, 3-6 Big 12) snapped their six-game losing streak after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs (13-9, 3-6 Big 12) 87 to 61 Sunday afternoon at the CU Events Center. 

Freshman guard Jalin Holland scored the Buffaloes’ first five points of the game, with two free throws and a three-pointer. Although these were his only points of the contest, Holland still put his mark on the game. 

“Jalin Holland has really been playing his tail off,” Boyle said. “That’s the one thing we know he is going to do is compete and rebound and defend. His stat line does not show the effect he had on the game.”

Holland was one of three freshmen to get their first starting nod of the season, joining Josiah Sanders and Fawaz ‘Tacko’ Ifaola. 

Boyle attributed the lineup change to needing more offensive rebounds. 

“We are dead last in the Big 12 in offensive rebounds,” Boyle said. “And I look at the Iowa State statsheet and see that Tacko’s got two of them and Josiah’s got two of them. Guess what, maybe they need a chance.” 

The new lineup worked, with the three new starters combining for three offensive rebounds and 14 total rebounds. 

Sanders recorded 12 points, six assists, and three rebounds in his first career start.

“It’s really memorable,” Sanders said. “I was just praying last night … Because it’s an opportunity that not a lot of people get and I’m really appreciative for it.” 

The game felt like a mismatch from the start, with Colorado’s energy and effort proving to be too much for TCU to handle. 

“They are a good team,” head coach Tad Boyle said. “It just shows you how good our team can be, but we have to play with that energy and effort. And we showed it tonight.”

The big story of the game for Colorado was its defensive presence. 

Heading into today, the Buffaloes ranked last in the Big 12 in 3-point FG percentage defense (37.6%) and second to last in FG percentage defense (46.6%). 

The Buffaloes completely flipped the script against TCU, holding the Horned Frogs to 33% from the floor and 22% from deep. 

Colorado’s urgency on defense was clearly a focus in this game, from diving on loose balls to aggressively crashing the glass.

Offensively, the black and gold were dominant as well, shooting 55% percent from the floor and 48% from deep. 

TCU’s star player, Xavier Edmonds, was assessed a flagrant foul 2 for an altercation with Sebastian Rancik in the second half and was ejected from the game.

He finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes played. 

With a blueprint now available for Colorado to look back at and try to replicate, the Buffaloes’ defense should continue to improve as the year progresses. 

The Buffs will travel to Waco, Texas, to take on the Baylor Bears on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT. (Peacock)