BUFFS IN THE BIG DANCE?

This season sucked. Sure, the Buffs’ run in the Big 12 Tournament showed that Tad can still coach, Jakimovski can shoot, and Post Malone can be a problem for smaller frontlines. But let’s not sugarcoat it—this season was a resounding failure.

While plenty of focus has been on the three Buffs who left for the NBA last year, several former Buffs who transferred will still be playing in March—just not in silver and gold. And it’s hard not to wonder how much they could have helped this year’s squad.

• Keeshawn Barthelemy (Oregon) transferred ahead of the 2022-23 season and has been a key piece for the Ducks, averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 43% shooting. Oregon is a five seed and will take on Liberty in the first round of the tournament.
• Nique Clifford (Colorado State) left Boulder after two seasons and has been a star for the Rams, putting up 18.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. CSU won the MWC Tournament and are the 12-seed, playing Memphis in the first round, Clifford will be a major factor. He’ll play in the NBA, too.
• J’Vonne Hadley (Louisville) has had a nomadic NCAA career—starting at Northeastern CC, spending two years with the Buffs, and now landing at Louisville. He’s averaging 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2 assists on 51% shooting for a Cardinals squad that is an 8-seed, playing 9th seeded Creighton.
• Eddie Lampkin (Syracuse) has been a force inside for the Orange, averaging 11.5 points, 10 boards, and 2 assists. Syracuse was squarely on the bubble, and despite Lampkin’s presence down low, didn’t make the tournament.

All of these guys would’ve really, really helped the Buffs this past season.

Oh, and one more former Buff had a solid season but, like Eddie Lampkin, won’t be dancing: Lawson Lovering (Utah) put up 8.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists—while rocking a ridiculous headband. Temu Bill Walton it is.

It’s been a rough year for Buffs basketball, but at least some familiar faces will still be playing in March.

[John’s note: CU men’s team is apparently going to play in something called The College Basketball Crown tournament, a tournament funded by Fox TV to fill some a couple of open TV windows. This is a tournament slotted just above this Tuesday’s Gold Crown high school tournament in Lakewood and just below the NIT. The tournament guarantees admission to at least 2 teams from each of the Big 10, the Big 12, the Big East.

CU is playing Villanova on April 1 — a fitting day for this tournament — at 6:30 pm mountain and games will be broadcast on Fox and FS1. Games are played in Las Vegas, proving that folks in Las Vegas will bet on ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING. Somehow, CU’s 3-17 Big 12 season was enough to get the team into this tournament. If there’s a (very slight) positive here, it’s that this will mean increased minutes for the young players on the team against “name” opponents that are bad this year. Let’s go BD and Sebby Rancik!

Additionally, the CU women’s team is a #1 seed in the WBIT (essentially the women’s NIT) tournament. The Buffs should be a favorite, and I always enjoy the chance to watch CU play at home in a tournament environment. CU will face Southeastern Louisiana in the first round at the CU Events Center on Thursday, and then host either Gonzaga or USTA in the second round. Southeastern Louisiana is 26-5 overall and lost to Stephen F. Austin (damn that Stephen!) in the final round of the Southland Conference championship game to miss out on the NCAA tournament.]