BOULDER — The Runnin’ Buffs?
First-year Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle promised to turn up the tempo at both ends of the floor, compared to the more patterned approach of former Buffaloes coach Jeff Bzdelik.
“It will be different — we’re going to play an uptempo style,” Boyle said this morning during CU basketball media day. “We’re going to run. We’re going to get out (in the open court).
“We’ve got some tremendous athletes on this team. We have some really gifted, offensive basketball players. We want to take advantage of that. In addition to that, (we’re playing) at altitude. Playing a half-court style gives that away.”
Boyle said, however, that running won’t be a haphazard affair.
“We’re going to run on every miss (by the opponent) and on a lot of makes. That doesn’t mean we don’t have to execute in the half court offensively, because (at times) you have to, certainly when league play comes around.”
On defense, CU will emphasize a man-to-man strategy, Boyle said.
“We’ll play some zone here and there, based on foul trouble and based on the personnel we’re playing against. But we’re going to hang our hat on our man-to-man defense.”
Boyle said he will stress defense and rebounding.
“Our players are going to get sick of me talking about it, but we’re going to get better on the defensive end and better at rebounding the basketball,” he said. “Those are two areas this team needs to show dramatic improvement on.”
Colorado is led by senior guard Cory Higgins and sophomore guard Alec Burks, both recently named to the Wooden Award preseason top-50 list. Burks, 6-foot-6, has been projected as an NBA first-round pick for as soon as next year’s draft.
“We’ve had a tremendous preseason,” Boyle said. “Guys are working tremendously hard. We’re excited about the future. This is a great day personally and professionally in my life. But more important than that, I like the direction of Colorado basketball.”
The target date for Colorado’s new basketball and volleyball practice facility is June 1, Boyle said.
“It’s great to come to work every day and see the new practice facility coming out of the ground and advancing day by day,” Boyle said. “But there is a lot of basketball to be played between now and then.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
