Colorado Buffs limit rotation to nine starters as four freshmen settle into practice roles

The Colorado men's basketball program faces a thinner roster this season after finishing 2025-26 with 17 wins and 16 losses. Head coach Tad Boyle has narrowed the projected starting lineup to nine players, leaving four freshmen at the end of the bench with limited expectations for game time. The Buffs host Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 to open their 17th season under Boyle.

The likely rotation consists of guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, along with forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez. Gomez's early minutes may be restricted while he recovers from foot surgery performed a year ago. Last season, 11 players appeared in at least 20 games and seven started at least 10. That level of depth is unlikely to return barring a string of injuries.

Forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen now serve as the primary practice squad. Hill described his goal as simple development. He said he could have played Division III basketball and transferred later, but chose Colorado first to grow over the four or five years he expects to spend there.

The four freshmen arrived in Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the team last November. Jacobsen, Hill, and Jones were late additions last spring. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post from the Midwest, played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire after a torn ACL dampened his recruiting profile. Hill is the son of the all-time winningest women's basketball coach at Trinity University in San Antonio and the grandson of former NBA coach Bob Hill. Jones reopened his recruiting process after a coaching change at Georgia State.

Jacobsen acknowledged the difficulty of accepting a limited role. He said he is realizing he can work as hard as possible every day without anything to lose, while trying to earn what he can. Boyle emphasized that the situation remains fluid. He noted that Jones had a strong practice on Friday and that Jacobsen and Hill have shown good things.

Boyle said the young players have the capability but lack the consistency that comes with experience. He told them that their standing in December could differ greatly from their current position. The coach asked the group to prepare mentally and physically every day so they are ready when called upon to play.