Colorado Faces Oklahoma with Challenged Rotation in CBC Showdown
Colorado will open play in the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas facing Oklahoma on Wednesday night. The Buffaloes arrive shorthanded after three starters entered the transfer portal.
Roster losses and rotation impact
Isaiah Johnson, Bangot Dak and Sebastian Rancik have opted to leave the program. The transfer portal opens April 7.
Johnson set Colorado’s freshman scoring record and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. Dak led the team in rebounds and blocks while averaging 11.5 points per game. Rancik averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds.
The trio combined for about 40.7 points and 15 rebounds per game. Colorado will run a challenged rotation without that production.
Tournament context and stakes
This is the second annual CBC event in Las Vegas. Organizers shrank the field from 16 teams to eight this year.
The prize money remains unchanged. The champion takes $300,000. The runner-up earns $100,000, and each semifinalist gets $50,000.
Colorado played in last year’s inaugural CBC and lost in the first round to Villanova. The program chose this event over the NIT this season.
Coaching view and team goals
Coach Tad Boyle framed the tournament as a development opportunity. He said extra practice and game time help returning players grow.
Boyle also noted that player buy-in matters. He called the CBC a chance to identify which players will be part of the program going forward.
Game info and broadcast
Tipoff is Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The game airs on Fox Sports 1.
Local radio coverage includes KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM. The winner advances to face Baylor or Minnesota in the semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.
Records, coaches and matchup notes
- Colorado record: 17-15, 7-11 Big 12.
- Oklahoma record: 19-15, 7-11 in conference play.
- Colorado coach: Tad Boyle, 16th season (329-219, 385-285 overall).
- Oklahoma coach: Porter Moser, 5th season (93-74, 386-316 overall).
Key players to watch
| Colorado | Stats | Oklahoma | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Hargress, G | 14.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, .531 FG% | Nijel Pack, G | 16.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.0 apg |
| Alon Michaeli, F | 6.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg | Xzayvier Brown, G | 15.3 ppg, 3.2 apg |
| Elijah Malone, C | 4.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .515 FG% | Tae Davis, F | 12.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg |
| Jalin Holland, G | 5.0 ppg | Derrion Reid, F | 11.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg |
| Josiah Sanders, G | 4.3 ppg | Mohamed Wague, F/C | 7.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg |
Additional matchup details
Oklahoma endured a 1-9 conference start. They then won eight of ten games before losing to Arkansas in the conference quarterfinals.
These teams last met on Jan. 22, 2011. The Sooners lead the all-time series 88-49.
Oklahoma ranks second in its conference at .368 from three-point range. Colorado ranked last in the Big 12 defensively at the same .368 mark.
Injury and rotation notes
Elijah Malone is scheduled for offseason shoulder surgery. Boyle said Malone will play in Las Vegas.
With Dak and Rancik gone, Alon Michaeli projects as Colorado’s leading rebounder. He averaged 3.9 rebounds in 30 games off the bench.
Filmogaz.com will monitor the outcome and report on how Colorado adjusts its rotation. Expect the game to reveal roster clarity for both teams.
