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If the Buffaloes falter out of the gate — a distinct possibility, given the coast-to-coast challenges of the nonconference schedule — Tad Boyle already knows where to point the finger
Assistant coaches Nate Tomlinson and Evan Battey have taken the lead on Colorado’s scheduling matters. And it’s Tomlinson and Battey who have the Buffs lined up for a demanding nonconference schedule
“Coach Tomlinson and coach Battey have kind of taken that piece over,” Boyle said. “They’ve definitely challenged ourselves. We’ve definitely stepped it up. We’ll have our challenges, there’s no doubt about it.”
CU’s head coach made the jest with tongue in cheek, as Tomlinson and Battey both played for the Buffs under Boyle. But the challenges ahead are very real for the Buffs, who added to an already-tough nonconference slate this week by announcing a matchup with perennial Big Ten power Purdue at the Indy Classic in Indianapolis on Dec. 19
With CU set to face Providence, San Diego State and Purdue — plus two foes still to be determined at the Acrisure Series — on the road, the long journey back to relevancy within the Big 12 Conference has begun this summer, ahead of Boyle’s 17th season leading the Buffs
In two seasons after returning to the Big 12, the Buffs have gone just 10-28 in conference games. Thanks to the challenging nonconference schedule, a CU team featuring seven true freshmen and 10 newcomers overall won’t have luxury of settling in gradually
“We’ve finished up week six here. We’ve got two more weeks, and then we’ll give them a break in August to go home, get their batteries recharged, and come back for school ready to go,” Boyle said. “We’ll use our full eight weeks this summer. We’ve not always done it in the past. We’ve done it with individual work, but in terms of team workouts, we’ve done a lot of team stuff here
“Hopefully we’re ahead of the game. We’re certainly further ahead than we would be if we hadn’t done it, that’s for sure.”
CU’s summer workouts have not yet included forward David Gomez, one of the Buffs’ key acquisitionswo games as a freshman at Charlotte last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Gomez still hasn’t been cleared for full workouts
Last summer, the Buffs used a summer exhibition trip through Australia to assimilate seven true freshmen and two transfers into the mix. At the time, Boyle lauded his team’s competitiveness, and for the most part that trait that held true through the 2025-26 season but eroded during Big 12 play. The Buffs’ competitiveness often took ugly detours in Big 12 play, as CU suffered a 30-point loss at Iowa State, a 19-point loss at Baylor, a 34-point loss at Texas Tech and a 40-point loss at Houston.
Once again, Boyle is pleased with the early fire on display from his new-look Buffs. But that will be put to the test almost immediately when the season begins in November
“Their competitiveness and their willingness to learn and be coached is what’s stood out to me,” Boyle said. “I’m pleased with the team and I’m excited.”
