BOULDER — First-year Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle expects fans and his players will become enthusiastic about the new up-tempo style he began installing Friday night with the season’s first practice.
It was evident during CU media day interviews earlier in the day that his squad can’t wait to turn on the jets.
“Every player likes the run-and-gun, up-tempo style,” smiled standout guard Alec Burks, a 6-foot-6 sophomore who has NBA scouts salivating. “I feel like it’s going to help out the whole team.”
Former CU coach Jeff Bzdelik employed a more patterned offense, although the Buffaloes would run when a low-risk opportunity presented itself. Boyle promises that his team will push the pace.
“We’re going to run. We’re going to get out (in the open court),” said Boyle, who coached that high-octane style at Northern Colorado. “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 (advantage) away.”
Aiming higher.
Boyle said he has not yet used the Big 12 coaches preseason poll for motivation “but it’s duly noted,” he said. The coaches projected the Buffs, who have two potential all-conference players in Burks and senior guard Cory Higgins, to finish ninth in the league standings.
Some preseason magazines say Colorado has a chance to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003. That probably would take at least a sixth-place finish in the Big 12.
“I’m confident we will surprise a lot of people,” said redshirt freshman Shannon Sharpe, an athletic point guard who sat out last season after undergoing knee surgery.
Clearing the glass.
Colorado finished last in Big 12 rebounding for 2009-10, but 6-foot-7 freshman forward Andre Roberson may help. Though listed at just 195 pounds, Roberson averaged 12 boards to go along with 15 points per game last season at San Antonio (Texas) Wagner. He loves to play above the rim and has been called “fearless” by his new teammates.
“Andre has amazing rebounding ability, and he always goes hard,” Higgins said. “In the future he’s going to be special.”
Lappe teaching “the Colorado way.”
First-year women’s coach Linda Lappe didn’t have to ask for a campus map. The former Metro State coach played for the Buffs under Ceal Barry from 1998-2003.
“We talk to our team a lot about the Colorado way being mentally tough, very disciplined, very fundamental,” Lappe said.
Looking to slam.
Shae Kelley, a 6-foot freshman forward who led Denver East to the Class 5A state title last spring, has been attempting dunks during practice. “She got one to fall but it rattled around,” Lappe said.
Kelley has never dunked in a game. “But look out for that,” she said. “I can get up there with ease and grab the rim with two hands.”
Seeing double.
The addition of guards Brittany and Ashley Wilson from famed Long Beach (Calif.) Poly gives CU two sets of twins, along with sophomore forwards Brenna and Meagan Malcolm-Peck. And the roster now includes two Brittanys (Wilson and Spears) and a Britney (Blythe).
“It’s all very confusing,” Brittany Wilson said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
