Boulder – Five of the eight freshmen on the Colorado men’s basketball team enrolled in classes in June to get a jump on their college careers and work out with future Buffalo teammates.
They had no way of knowing it would provide another benefit. The Baby Buffs – or “Young Guns” as they prefer – are glad they had somebody to hug on Oct. 25 when CU coach Ricardo Patton announced this season would be his last in Boulder.
Freshman years pose enough challenges for any student. But playing for a lame-duck coach could make this season feel really odd, if not awkward. Facing adversity without a band of brothers would have been really difficult.
“It’s a lot easier to get through something like this if you have somebody with you,” said Xavier Silas, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard, as he prepared for tonight’s 8:35 p.m. season opener against Denver at the Coors Events Center. “If we have problems, we talk about it. We’re all together in this.”
Eight freshmen is a record number for CU. They stayed in the same dormitory. They lifted weights together. Ran miles together. Took classes together. And, when need be, lifted each other’s spirits.
Patton said he has never coached a more tight-knit group. For the media guide, each player was asked who he would like to play with on a mythical Dream Team. LeBron James and Michael Jordan were popular answers. But several freshmen replied “the rest of the Young Guns.”
“We were almost together 24/7,” freshman point guard Kal Bay said. “We found we really enjoy being around each other. We all have the same goal in mind. We came to help this program win.”
Although Patton won’t reap the long-term rewards, he believes CU’s freshman class has the potential to win a Big 12 championship for the school. In addition to Silas and Bay, other freshmen expected to make an early impact include 6-7 forward Jeremy Williams, 6-3 point guard Dwight Thorne and centers Sean Kowal (6-10) and Marc Van Burck (6-11).
“But the good thing is, they’re willing to work hard every day,” Patton said of the freshmen. “They come eager to learn.”
Pioneers hurting
DU coach Terry Carroll faces challenges. Trying to replace 6-10 Yemi Nicholson was going to be difficult enough, but Carroll’s roster has been decimated by injuries.
Junior forward David Kummer suffered a season-ending knee injury. Two junior college transfers, 6-8 center Adam Tanner (broken arm) and 6-5 guard Myke Lattimore (thumb), are out until later this month.
The Pioneers, 16-15 last season, were pummeled 84-46 by Division II CSU-Pueblo in an exhibition game.
“We really don’t know a lot about our team because we have a lot of people that aren’t able to practice,” Carroll said.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
