Colorado's four freshmen settle into practice roles for 2026-27 season

The Colorado men's basketball team has named a core nine players for its 2026-27 season, leaving four freshmen to compete for minutes from the end of the bench. Head coach Tad Boyle has not set final rotations, but the starting lineup and primary reserves are expected to remain stable barring injuries.

The Buffs host Abilene Christian on November 2 to open their 17th season under Boyle. The program finished 17-16 last year but played 7-11 in the Big 12. That previous season featured 11 players who appeared in at least 20 games. This year, the rotation is tighter, with guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, along with forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez, forming the primary group.

Gomez is recovering from foot surgery he underwent a year ago, which may limit his early playing time. The four freshmen on the practice squad are forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen. Portela joined the roster last November, while the other three were late additions in the spring.

Hill described his goal as simple development. He said he could have played in Division III and transferred later, but chose to stay at Colorado for four or five years to improve. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post who grew up near Chicago and Wisconsin, faced a torn ACL during his junior season that slowed his recruiting. Jones signed with Georgia State but reopened his process after a coaching change there. Hill and Portela both have fathers who are basketball coaches.

Jacobsen acknowledged the difficulty of accepting a limited role. He said he is realizing he can give maximum effort every day without anything to lose. He is trying to earn what he can through consistent work. The players are expected to act as a third five, meaning they will not play regularly unless the primary group is hurt.

Boyle said the situation is fluid. He noted that Jones had a good practice on Friday, while Jacobsen and Hill have also performed well. The coach said the young players have the capability but lack consistency. He told them to prepare every day so they are ready mentally when called upon, noting their standing in December could differ from their current position in October.