Ian Inman has the potential to be an instant-offense type threat off the bench for the Colorado men’s basketball team.

But the freshman wing is part of Tad Boyle’s program now. And that means shifting the default mindset to the other end of the floor.

The Buffaloes have officially surpassed the midpoint of the preseason, with the next significant early test looming on Sunday afternoon with an exhibition match against Grace College, the former home of CU’s sixth-year senior center, Elijah Malone.

It’s getting closer to go-time for Inman and CU’s other six freshmen, as the Buffs tip off the 16th season under Boyle on Nov. 3 at home against Montana State. The rookies all are going through the typical freshman hurdles, from the pace of the Division I game to balancing athletics with classes, as well as the expectations inherent with playing at the power conference level.

Playing for Boyle’s Buffs, though, also means focusing on defense. And the influence of CU’s defensive-minded head coach might already be soaking into Inman, whose early concerns with adjusting to the collegiate level had little to do with a long-range touch that’s sorely needed by the Buffs.

“Probably the biggest transition for me has been off-ball defense, being in the correct spot on defense, jumping to the ball — all that good stuff,” Inman said. “Just playing very sound defensively. You’ve got to play defense to win. In college, you’ve got to be sound on defense. That’s how you win games. For me, I feel like I’m getting better on defense. I’m long, so getting deflections will help a lot, for sure.”

While Inman keeps getting up to speed defensively, his ability from the 3-point line could give the Buffs an immediate spark.

CU struggled from the arc last year, ranking 15th in the Big 12 with a .321 mark. It was the second-lowest 3-point percentage by the Buffs in 15 seasons under Boyle.

The graduation of Julian Hammond III (.375) and the decision by RJ Smith (.386) to transfer to DePaul has left a giant void for CU along the perimeter. As with any rookie under Boyle, defense will ultimately determine the level of Inman’s minutes. But it’s Inman’s shooting touch that likely will give him his initial chance to stick in the rotation.

“Ian’s a knock-down shooter,” Boyle said. “He’s a guy we knew could shoot the ball when we recruited him out of Texas. Wonderful young man. Really coachable. Gives you everything he’s got every day. I think he’s a guy that’s really learning on the defensive end.”

The 6-foot-6 wing will endure his growing pains like any rookie, but this week Boyle recounted an observation from last week’s intrasquad scrimmage that showed Inman might already have the mental toughness required to compete in the rugged Big 12.

“I look at (last) weekend and he missed a tough three in the corner,” Boyle said. “He came down the next possession, was wide open and he didn’t even hesitate. He was a step or two behind the three and he let it fly and it went in. So he’s a guy who we want to get shots for, and his teammates have to understand what he can do for us. I think they’re learning that.

“Like all freshmen, he’s got to become more consistent. And he’s got to understand the way he’s going to find his way on the floor is to make sure we can all trust him defensively. But his offensive game, his ability to shoot the ball, is at the Big 12 level, I think.”