Four Buffs Freshmen Face Limited Minutes in Tad Boyle's 10-Man Rotation

The University of Colorado men's basketball program entered the 2026-27 season with a defined hierarchy that leaves little room for the four newest members of the roster. Head coach Tad Boyle has indicated that the primary rotation will consist of ten players, a structure that contrasts sharply with the previous campaign when eleven players appeared in at least 20 games and seven earned starting spots.

The Buffs opened their 17th season under Boyle on Friday, marking exactly ten days before they host Abilene Christian on Nov. 2. The coaching staff is expected to rely on guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, alongside forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez. Gomez's early minutes may remain restricted as he recovers from foot surgery performed a year ago.

Forward Chase Hill, guard Amir Jones, guard Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen constitute the group of freshmen who have joined the team primarily for development. Hill stated his goal plainly: just develop. He noted that he could have attended a Division III school to achieve the same objective before transferring, but preferred to arrive in Boulder first and grow over the four or five years he expects to spend there.

The four players reached Boulder through different pathways. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the program in November of the previous year. The other three were late additions to the roster in the spring. Jacobsen grew up in the Midwest, spending time in Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to Colorado Springs, though he played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. The 6-foot-1 post faced recruiting setbacks after tearing his ACL during his junior season.

Hill comes from a family deeply embedded in basketball. His father is the all-time winningest women's basketball coach at Division III Trinity University in San Antonio. His 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 previously committed. Portela's father is also a coach.

Jacobsen admitted that accepting a limited role was challenging at first. He explained that he is realizing he can go as hard as he can every single day without having anything to lose. He described his mindset as simply trying to earn what he can.

Boyle acknowledged that the current standing of these freshmen in mid-to-late October may look very different in December. He characterized the situation as fluid, pointing to a very good practice by Jones on Friday. He noted that Jacobsen and Hill have also done good things, though they lack consistency due to their youth.

The coach asked the players to prepare daily so they are mentally ready when called upon. Barring injuries or other unexpected setbacks, this third five is not expected to play regularly. Their daily work in practice will nonetheless matter to a Buffs team hoping to surprise in the Big 12.