Colorado has split its first two games this season, including competing in the inaugural Bill Walton Classic in San Diego on Saturday.
Now the Buffaloes will return home to face the San Diego Toreros on Tuesday night in Boulder.
Colorado (1-1) routed visiting Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 before falling to San Diego State in the Walton tournament. The Buffaloes fell into a big hole early against the Aztecs, improved in the second half, but lost 77-66.
The game showed the Buffaloes, of the Big 12, have some things to work on as they continue their non-conference schedule.
“We sure didn’t handle it very well, and that’s where we have to do better,” Buffaloes coach Tad Boyle said after Saturday’s loss. “That’s a wake-up call. That’s what you need early in the season, because you don’t get these opportunities back.”
Colorado is a young team led by senior Barrington Hargress, who is in his second season with the program after transferring from UC-Riverside. He is averaging 22 points a game, bolstered by scoring half of the team’s points in the loss to the Aztecs.
Sophomores Jalin Holland (12 ppg) and Josiah Sanders (11) are second and third, respectively, in scoring.
San Diego (2-0), meanwhile, is coming off a 96-90 overtime win against Tarleton State on Friday. The Toreros rallied from down double digits, capped by senior Dusty Stromer’s banked-in 3-pointer that sent the game to the extra period.
The victory gives San Diego some momentum heading into its first road game of the season.
“Every time you win, it gives you confidence. We showed some resilience, and we had some adversity, and I think that’s good, especially early in the season,” Toreros coach JR Blount told reporters after the win. “You want to face adversity, and obviously you want to come out on the right end of it. It helps us as we go forward in the season.”
San Diego is led by Stromer, who is averaging 17 points a game. The Toreros have nine players averaging in double digits in minutes.