With a strong returning core, the University of Colorado men’s basketball team is coming into the season facing high expectations. ESPN’s expert panel of Jeff Borzello, Myron Medcalf and John Gasaway predict the Buffs will finish second in the Pac-12, a sharp rise from their placement at ninth in the preseason power rankings last year. CU appears poised to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016.
The Buffs surpassed expectations last year, finishing fourth in the Pac-12 and reaching the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament, eventually falling to Washington. While this year’s expectations are loftier, they are by no means empty.