Colorado leans on returning guards as ten newcomers arrive

Colorado is bringing ten newcomers into Tad Boyle's 17th season, with returning guards Barrington Hargress and Josiah Sanders providing experience for a roster that includes seven freshmen and three transfers.

The Buffaloes discussed that mix at Tuesday's Big 12 media day in Kansas City. Hargress and Sanders were the only Colorado players to appear in all 33 games last season, and Hargress started every one.

Hargress set school single-season records in 2025-26 by shooting 48.1 percent from three-point range and posting a 3.61 assist-to-turnover ratio. The latter led the Big 12 and ranked tenth nationally, according to Colorado's October 20 report.

One of the new guards, Australian freshman Alex Dickeson, is learning to play alongside Hargress as well as against him. In an original interview with Colorado Buffaloes on SI's Liam Howard, published October 16, Dickeson described spending more time off the ball when he shares a practice team with Hargress. When they face each other, he gets to run the offense himself.

Dickeson credited Hargress with helping his development in both roles.

Sanders also spoke Tuesday about helping younger teammates adjust, drawing on his own first season in the Big 12. The returners will be working with a group that includes Dickeson, transfer forward Justin Neely from UNC Greensboro and forward Goc Malual.

Colorado opens the regular season against Abilene Christian on November 2 at the CU Events Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain on ESPN+. The backcourt's work together in practice will get its first regular-season test that night.