Pac-12 Basketball: Biggest question for each team entering 2020-21 season

Colorado – Can Evan Battey take the next step?

Tyler Bey has left for the NBA, but McKinley Wright IV decided to return for his senior year at Colorado. But head coach Tad Boyle must find a way to replace his leading rebounder and second-leading scorer. There is a guy already on the Buffaloes’ roster that looks like he could step in and be the guy to fill some of those shoes, junior forward Evan Battey, who averaged 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds last season.

The 6’8 Battey was very effective on the offensive end last season, shooting over 52% from the field, and in Colorado’s half-court offense he ended the possession with a basket over 50% of the time. On the defensive end, Battey is the team’s best rebounder, both in sheer numbers (5.9rpg) and rebounding percentage (14%). He showed flashes of being a guy with the kind of ability to be the guy to step up for Boyle, registering four double-doubles last season including 14 and 11 in a loss to Oregon.

With Bey gone, Battey will have the chance to be the guy, along with Wright IV that the Buffaloes’ offense. Battey is very efficient in the half-court and he gives Colorado one of the better guard-forward combinations in the Pac-12.