Colorado Basketball Cuts Rotation to Nine Players Before Nov. 2 Opener

Colorado's men's basketball team finished last season 17-16 with 11 players appearing in at least 20 games. Head coach Tad Boyle will not have that depth for the 2026-27 season, which begins Nov. 2 against Abilene Christian. Boyle has set a nine-man rotation, leaving four freshmen to prepare as practice players.

The group includes forwards Chase Hill, Amir Jones, Rider Portela, and Eric Jacobsen. Hill said his objective is to develop, noting he could have chosen a Division III program for the same purpose before transferring up. He selected Colorado instead, planning to spend four or five years with the program. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the Buffs last November. The other three joined the roster as late additions last spring.

Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post, saw his recruiting interest decline after he tore an ACL midway through his junior season. He grew up around Chicago and in Wisconsin before moving to Colorado Springs and playing at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Hill's father coaches at Division III Trinity University in Sanlando and holds the school's women's basketball wins record. Hill's grandfather, Bob, was an NBA coach who helped recruit Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Jones reopened his recruiting after Georgia State changed coaches, and Portela's father is also a coach.

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. "It's a fluid situation," he said, noting Jones had a very good practice on Friday.

Boyle said Jacobsen and Hill have also performed well. He said the group has the capability but lacks consistency because they are young, and that their standing in December could look different from mid-to-late October. He asked them to prepare daily so they are mentally ready when called upon. Boyle has not finalized minutes, but the rotation will be drawn from guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, plus forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez. Gomez's early playing time may be limited as he continues recovering from foot surgery a year ago. Last season, Colorado went 7-11 in the Big 12.

The Buffs host Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 to open the program's 17th season under Boyle.