Colorado basketball freshmen settle into practice roles before Nov. 2 opener

Colorado men’s basketball reached the 10-day mark before its season opener on Friday. The Buffaloes host Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 to start the 2026-27 campaign. Head coach Tad Boyle has not locked in final minutes, but the starting lineup will likely feature guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders and Ian Inman. Forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual and David Gomez are expected to round out the primary rotation.

Gomez’s playing time may be limited as he continues to recover from foot surgery performed a year ago. The current roster structure differs from last season, when Colorado finished 17-16. In 2025-26, 11 players appeared in at least 20 games and seven made at least 10 starts. That level of rotation flexibility is unlikely to repeat this year barring a string of injuries.

Four freshmen have accepted roles as practice players for the upcoming season. Forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen arrived in Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the program last November. The other three joined the roster as late additions in the spring of 2026.

Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post, grew up in the Midwest and played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. A torn ACL during his junior season slowed his recruiting momentum. Hill comes from a coaching family; his father is the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach at Trinity University in San Antonio. Hill’s grandfather, Bob, was a longtime NBA coach who helped recruit Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Jones reopened his recruiting process after a coaching change at Georgia State, where he had originally signed.

Hill described his goal simply as development. He noted he could have attended a Division III school with the same aim before transferring up, but chose Colorado to grow over the four or five years he expects to spend there. Jacobsen said accepting a limited role was difficult at first. "I'm realizing I can go as hard as I can every single day and I don't really have anything to lose," he said. "Just trying to earn what I can."

Boyle said he does not want the players to feel permanently shut out. He called the situation fluid, noting that Jones had a very good practice on Friday and that Jacobsen and Hill have also done good things. The coach said the group has capability but lacks consistency due to their youth. He added that their standing in December could look very different from mid-to-late October. Boyle asked them to prepare every day so they are mentally ready when called upon.

This third five is not expected to play regularly barring injuries or other setbacks. Their daily work in practice will support a Buffs team hoping to surprise in the Big 12.