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Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league’s best

By Carmine Carcieri

March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Colorado Buffaloes

2015-16 record: 22-11 overall, 10-8 in Pac-12, reached first round of NCAA Tournament

Head coach: Tad Boyle

Key returning players: George King, Josh Fortune, Dominique Collier, Wesley Gordon, Tory Miller, Thomas Akyazili, Xavier Johnson

Newcomers: Four-star SG Bryce Peters, two-star C Lucas Siewert, two-star PF Dallas Walton, non-ranked SG Deleon Brown, JUCO transfer G Derrick White

The Colorado Buffaloes have an underrated roster that very well could contend for the third or fourth spot in the Pac-12 standings if things go their way.

George King had a breakout campaign in 2015-16 and was the team’s second leading scorer. Two years ago, King was averaging just 5.5 minutes per game. Now, he is considered one of the more dynamic scorers in the Pac-12.

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Beyond their best player, Colorado still has sharp shooter Josh Fortune, point guard Dominique Collier and a beast of a rebounder in Wesley Gordon. Add in the fact that the versatile Xavier Johnson is returning from injury and JUCO transfer Derrick White could be one of the team’s top five scorers, and the Buffaloes will be in business when March rolls around.

The issue with the Buffaloes lies in the front court, where they will desperately miss the services of Josh Scott. The 6’10” forward averaged a team high 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 53 percent overall from the field.

King may have to play some small ball four, however, the burden will likely fall on Gordon, Johnson and backup Tory Miller. And even though Lucas Siewart and Dallas Walton are both only two-star freshman, the Buffaloes might ask them to provide spot minutes here and there.

Boyle has his work cut out for him in terms of replacing Scott’s production and leadership, but the Buffaloes have an experienced roster with some solid scorers and pieces that fit together nicely. While Colorado is unlikely to make a long run in March, it would be awfully surprising if they didn’t earn a berth in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

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