Rebounding was a critical preseason question mark for the Colorado men’s basketball team.
It remains an area in which the Buffaloes have room to improve, particularly as the Big 12 Conference schedule takes a more challenging turn. Yet the Buffs generally have held their own on the boards, and Bangot Dak has been a big reason why.
Dak didn’t record his first career double-double until the seventh game of the season (and 65th of his career), capping in November with 15 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Washington.
Dak must have enjoyed the feel of the double-double club. With 16 points and 12 rebounds during Wednesday’s 85-73 home win against Utah, Dak posted his second consecutive double-double while helping to lead the Buffs to a 2-0 conference mark going into a Saturday showdown against No. 14 Texas Tech at the CU Events Center (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
“I showed I can do it. I just have to keep doing it consistently,” Dak said. “And then when I do it consistently, I feel like thatap when I’m taking it to another level. But until then, I’m just going to keep on trying to go out there and get every rebound my way.”
Since breaking through with his first double-double, Dak has recorded four in nine games, including two in a row and three in the past five. The surge is a reflection of the junior forward’s improved rebounding, as the performance against Utah raised his team-leading average to 7.4 rebounds per game. Through two Big 12 games across the conference, Dak’s 22 total rebounds ranks fourth in the conference behind Arizona’s Tobe Awaka (23), Texas Tech’s JT Toppin (25) and Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson (27).
Dak opened the season with back-to-back nine-rebound games and has been consistent on the glass ever since, recording at least five rebounds in all but one game through CU’s 12-3 start (Dak had a season-low three rebounds in a Dec. 20 loss against Stanford).
“He’s more aggressive,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “I see him going more. Offensively, he’s in the mix. Bangot is a quick jumper, which really helps him rebounding. Andre (Roberson) was a quick jumper. So thatap important. His hands are getting better. Look, he’s thin, he’s narrow, he’s going to get knocked around some. But he’s playing with more toughness.
“You don’t get three double-doubles in five games if your energy level’s not better. Thatap something I’ve challenged all our bigs. Double-doubles means you’re getting some stuff done up there. So I’m really, really pleased with (Dak).”
Although No. 25 Central Florida is likely to drop out of next week’s Associated Press Top 25 after a loss at Oklahoma State on Tuesday, CU’s next three home games are against current top 25 teams. Following Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, the Buffs hit the road for a two-game trip at Cincinnati and West Virginia before returning home to face No. 22 Kansas and UCF.
The Buffs have done their part to keep pace in the league with a 2-0 start that has been matched only by the Big 12’s four top-10 teams (No. 1 Arizona, No. 3 Iowa State, No. 7 Houston, No. 9 BYU). Following Wednesday’s win, and with classes resuming on Thursday, Boyle expressed hope for a raucous environment against Texas Tech on Saturday.
“I’m hoping for a sellout. Thatap what I’m hoping for,” Boyle said. “And come to watch the Buffs. Because the Buffs are worth watching. This young group is special. We’ve got to play well and give them a reason to get out of their seats and cheer and make this a really tough home court environment.”
