Sometimes all the analytics and projections go out the window. Sometimes it gets down to basics.
College basketball has evolved into a guard-centric sport. And in that regard, the Colorado Buffaloes are much more prepared for battle than they were a year ago.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson turned in one of the program’s all-time great debuts on Monday night, as his 24 points off the bench — all of them scored in the second half — led the Buffs to an 84-78 victory against Montana State in the season opener.
As Buffs fans are well aware, CU went just 3-17 within the Big 12 last season while finishing last in the league. Asked after Monday’s victory what the difference was against Montana State in the sort of tight finish that typically went against the Buffs last year, CU head coach Tad Boyle didn’t hesitate.
“Guard play. Guard play,” Boyle said. “Isaiah Johnson, Barrington Hargress, they weren’t on our team last year. They are this year. Itap going to help us.”
Johnson was the opening night star, going 6-for-9 (6-for-7 in the second half) from the field and 10-for-12 at the free throw line. Hargress shook off a 1-for-5 start to finish 5-for-11 with 11 points and three assists.
Beyond Johnson’s electric second half offensively, it otherwise was a pedestrian night for the point guard duo in terms of play-making, as they combined for five assists with five turnovers (three assists and two turnovers for Hargress, two assists and three turnovers for Johnson).
Still, last year’s primary backcourt trio of Julian Hammond III, RJ Smith and Javon Ruffin didn’t offer the Buffs any consistent threats in attacking the rim. Those players were capable 3-point shooters — a void the Buffs still are trying to fill after the non-Johnson players finished just 1-for-9 from the arc against Montana State — but the repeated attacks to the rim by Johnson and Hargress were visions rarely seen last season.
Johnson’s 12 free throw attempts tied the most by any CU player all of last season, matching 12 attempts by Elijah Malone in a nonconference win against Northern Colorado.
“Barrington made a heck of a play on a ball-screen, and he threw it back to Isaiah at the top of the key, and Isaiah attacked the close-out and got to the foul line and he made his free throws,” Boyle said. “I think Barrington and Isaiah together, as this season unfolds, are going to be a really, really dynamic duo, if you will. I thought Barrington’s floor game was really good.
“Isaiah, he’s a special kid, especially for a freshman. He doesn’t play like a freshman.”
As the Buffs turn the page to Saturday’s home date against Eastern Washington (2 p.m., ESPN+), improved defense no doubt will be a focus for Boyle and his staff. Montana State shot at least 50% in each half, finishing with a .518 mark. The Bobcats were particularly effective on the interior, posting a .611 mark (22-for-36) on 2-pointers.
“They’re good players. I feel like we have to do a better job of following our scouting reports,” CU forward Sebastian Rancik said. “But made some really hard shots at big moments and it kept the game close.”
