Pac-12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

The Buffaloes knew that senior forward Evan Battey wasn’t staying after last season but sophomore forward Jabari Walker going pro and Keeshawn Barthelemy transferring to Oregon were unexpected blows to the program. But they’re bringing back four key pieces from the 21-win roster, including a consensus breakout candidate.

As a freshman, KJ Simpson averaged 7.2 ppg and 2.7 apg off the bench in 19 mpg. He still managed to lead Colorado in assists and is a point guard that can explode in terms of production with 12 more minutes and a larger role in the offense. Princeton grad transfer Ethan Wright had a breakout season with 14.7 ppg on 40% from three-point range, while Yale transfer and former Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Jalen Gabbidon was a double-digit scorer as well. Nique Clifford and Julian Hammond are back and provide plenty of backcourt depth as well.

The lone returning frontcourt starter is Tristan Da Silva, coming off a season of averaging 9.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg. Look for him to be a focal point of the offense, joined by 7’0 sophomore center  Lawson Lovering and four-star freshman Joe Hurlburt. A pairing of Da Silva and Hurlburt would be solid at the Pac-12 level but ultimately, it’ll come down to how much Simpson improves to determine Colorado’s chances of being a postseason contender.