Colorado Buffaloes' Freshmen Settle Into Practice Roles Ahead of Nov. 2 Opener

Colorado's season opener against Abilene Christian is set for Nov. 2, marking the start of the program's 17th year under Tad Boyle. Four freshmen have agreed to spend the season largely as practice players, working against a rotation expected to run through nine names. Boyle said Friday he has not finalized minutes or roles for any of them.

The projected rotation lists 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 stay limited while he recovers from foot surgery performed a year ago. Last season, 11 Colorado players appeared in at least 20 games and seven started at least 10 times. Colorado finished 17-16 overall and 7-11 in the Big 12.

Chase Hill, Amir Jones, Rider Portela and Eric Jacobsen arrived in Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed in November. The others joined the roster as late additions last spring. Hill, whose father coaches at Division III Trinity University in San Antonio, said he weighed Division III options with an eye toward transferring up but chose Colorado first. "Just develop," he said. He expects to spend four or five years with the program.

Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post who played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, saw recruiting interest fall after he tore an ACL midway through his junior season. He grew up around Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to Colorado Springs. Jones reopened his recruiting after a coaching change at Georgia State, where he had committed. Portela's father also coaches.

Jacobsen described the adjustment to a limited role as 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 group to feel shut out. "It's a fluid situation," he said, adding that Jones had a strong practice Friday and that Jacobsen and Hill have also shown progress. Boyle said their standing in December could look different from where it stands in mid-to-late October.