BOULDER — There is hope that Dominique Collier can be a solid contributor to the Colorado men’s basketball team this season.
But for the past three weeks, the high-profile freshman guard from Denver East High School hasn’t been able to do much as he continues to nurse an injured left ankle.
“I’m frustrated,” CU coach Tad Boyle said. “Every day he misses is not a good thing for him or our team. He’s missing out on a lot of reps. I’m concerned. I’m not mad at him. It’s not his fault, but it’s disappointing.”
A 6-foot-2, 170-pound playmaker, Collier figures to get valuable minutes running the point for the Buffaloes, who were 23-12 last season. Boyle loves players who make simple plays, and Collier is as good as anyone on the team at doing just that.
“When you talk about making simple plays and just getting the ball moved, that’s what Dom Collier does,” Boyle said. “He’s a pass-first guy. We can use him.”
For now, though, Collier continues to watch from the sideline. He will have some ground to make up when he returns to the court.
“Dom’s going to have to earn his spot,” Boyle said. “Right now, he’s not getting a chance to get reps.”
Turnovers “an issue.” CU played the University of Denver on Saturday in a closed scrimmage at the Coors Events Center.
Per NCAA rules, Boyle isn’t allowed to discuss details or statistics compiled in the scrimmage. But he said the Buffs committed too many turnovers.
“Our practice Saturday, turnovers were an issue with this team, taking care of the basketball,” Boyle said.
The Buffs return everybody who played the final 18 games last season and have only one healthy scholarship freshman, 6-9 forward Tory Miller, so Boyle said the Buffs shouldn’t be making the mistakes they are making.
“A lot of the things we’re breaking down on, we should not be breaking down on with a veteran team,” Boyle said. “My expectation level is a little higher than where we are right now in a 40-minute situation.”
Boyle said the Buffs aren’t making simple plays, and they’re trying to force the issue on the first wave of attack on offense rather than being patient for a second or third attack.
“Our guys are trying to make it happen after the first attack,” Boyle said. “Just get it moved and the second attack will happen. The third attack, we’re going to get whatever we want, but it never gets there because we’re turning it over. We’re making bad decisions before we even get to that point.”
The Buffs have one more closed scrimmage, this Saturday at SMU, then open their season Nov. 14 at home against Drexel.
“If we turn the ball over like we’re turning it over, we’re going to put a lot of pressure on our defense, and I’d rather not do that,” Boyle said. “But, if we do, our defense had better be strong enough to help us win a game when we’re throwing it around the gym and we can’t make a shot.”
