NCAA Basketball: Top-25 impact incoming recruiting classes entering 2024-25 season

13. Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes have been a staple of consistency under Tad Boyle, having nine 20+ wins in 14 years. However, the consistency of its program will be put to the test entering 2024-25.

After a 26-win season last season, the Buffaloes saw many departures -- albeit for greener pastures -- with three NBA Draft picks. Cody Williams and Tristan Da Silva were selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft while KJ Simpson, last year’s leading scorer, was selected in the second round.

Despite the excellent draft day for the Buffs, it spells the need for many holes to be filled -- and that is where their incoming recruiting class will come into play to make an instant impact.

With a new-look roster in a new conference, Boyle will have to lean on four-star CG Andrew Crawford -- who expects to enter the starting lineup immediately -- as well as three-star PF Sebastian Ranick and three-star SG Felix Kossaras heavily. The Buffaloes return less than 20% of their minutes, according to BartTorvik’s preseason projections, meaning their incoming recruiting class will have to jump right into the rigors of the Big 12.

Because Colorado didn’t necessarily strike gold in the transfer portal, Tad Boyle will be banking on the fifth-best recruiting class in the Big 12, according to 24/7 Sports, to keep the Buffaloes afloat in their new conference.