Colorado's Four Freshmen Accept Practice Roles Ahead of Season Opener

Four Colorado basketball freshmen are preparing to spend the 2026-27 season primarily in practice roles.

The Buffs will host Abilene Christian on November 2 to open their 17th season under head coach Tad Boyle. That date marks exactly 10 days from Friday's announcement. The team finished 17-16 last year, but the current roster lacks the depth that allowed for frequent rotation changes in 2025-26.

Boyle has not set final minutes, but the starting lineup will likely rely on guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman. Forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez round out the expected primary group. Gomez may see limited time as he recovers from foot surgery. Last season, 11 players appeared in at least 20 games, a level of participation that seems unlikely to return without a major injury wave.

Forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen form the group expected to sit at the end of the bench. Portela signed with the team in November 2025. The others joined as late additions in the spring. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post from the Midwest, suffered a torn ACL during his junior year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Hill comes from a coaching family; his father is the winningest women's basketball coach at Trinity University, and his grandfather Bob helped recruit Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Jones re-entered the recruiting process after a coaching change at Georgia State, while Portela is a wing from Phoenix.

Hill said his goal is simple. "Just develop," he said. He noted he could have gone to Division III with the same aim, but chose Colorado to grow over the four or five years he expects to stay. Jacobsen admitted the limited role was hard to accept initially. "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 emphasized that the situation is fluid and does not want the players to feel shut out. He cited a strong practice by Jones on Friday and positive performances from Jacobsen and Hill. The coach said the group has capability but lacks consistency due to their youth. He asked them to prepare daily so they are mentally ready if called upon, noting their standing in December could differ greatly from mid-October.