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<\/p>\nThe Colorado Buffaloes\u2019 men\u2019s basketball season truly gets underway on Sunday when they face the North Texas Mean Green in an open-door exhibition game. It will be the Buffaloes\u2019 first chance to display their new-look roster this season with just over two weeks until the regular season.<\/p>\n
All of the roster turnover has created a wide range of expectations for the Buffaloes this season, but this game has a chance to put any worries to rest. These three newcomers to the Buffaloes\u2019 roster are players to watch in this game, as it could serve as their breakout performance.<\/p>\n
Forward Justin Neely<\/p>\n
Dec 10, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Albany Great Danes forward Justin Neely (12) drives the ball past Syracuse Orange center Eddie Lampkin Jr. (44) in the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Neely was Colorado\u2019s most experienced addition during the offseason. He transferred to the Buffaloes from the UNC Greensboro Spartans off of a career year in the Southern Conference.<\/p>\n
In 2025, Neely led the Spartans in nearly every statistical category. He led the pack in points (17.9 per game), rebounds (11.5 per game), assists (2.4 per game) and steals (0.9 per game). His rebounding average was the second-highest in the nation<\/a>, only trailing Hannes Steinbach of the Washington Huskies, who was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n During the summer, coach Tad Boyle challenged him to get in better shape and improve his habits. Ahead of the Buffs\u2019 first exhibition, Boyle feels like Neely has answered that call.<\/p>\n \u201cI finally feel like he\u2019s in basketball shape,\u201d said Boyle at Winter Sports Media Day. \u201cI didn\u2019t feel like that all summer, I didn\u2019t feel like that for the first part of the fall. But I feel like we\u2019ve really worked him and he\u2019s answered the challenges that I\u2019ve given him \u2026 he\u2019s starting to figure that out I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Neely will be a great combo forward for the Buffs this season, and he\u2019ll have a chance to display his versatile skill set in this game.<\/p>\n Guard Alex Dickeson<\/p>\n Dickeson was one of two freshmen Colorado brought in from the NBL in Australia this offseason, and he\u2019s emerged as a future star for the Buffs lately.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Mar 7, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle reacts in the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s the best passing guard I\u2019ve ever coached,\u201d Boyle said. \u201cHe\u2019s an elite-level passer. Now \u2026 it\u2019s going to take some time for his body to develop into the ultimate player that he\u2019ll be. But his feel for the game \u2026 he\u2019s wise beyond his years, he\u2019s mature beyond his years, he understands the game, he sees the game and he\u2019s got a feel for the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Dickeson has been learning under the tutelage of guard Barrington Hargress as he develops into a true point guard that can compete at the Big 12 level. He\u2019ll likely get more opportunities to shine in this game than most others this season, so it will be a chance for Buffs fans to see what Boyle is talking about firsthand.<\/p>\n Forward David Gomez<\/p>\n Gomez had been battling an injury for an extended period of time, but he\u2019s finally healthy and ready to take to the floor in this game.\u00a0<\/p>\n He suffered stress fractures in his foot just two games into his freshman season with the Charlotte 49ers and they ultimately ended his season. He transferred to Colorado during the offseason, but still hadn\u2019t recovered from his foot injury. He missed all of the Buffs\u2019 summer workouts and practices, and only took to the floor for fall practice at the start of October.<\/a><\/p>\n Mar 3, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle watches play against the Utah Utes during the first half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great kid, he\u2019s got a great spirit, he\u2019s a great teammate,\u201d said Boyle on Friday. \u201cBut he\u2019s playing catch-up, there\u2019s no doubt about it \u2026 But he\u2019s a smart and experienced player for a guy that hasn\u2019t played a lot of college basketball because of his international experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The native of Alcala de Guadaira, Spain, has looked great since coming back to pracitce, though. His wide frame and long wingspan make him a force to be reckoned with down low. While he\u2019s needed to work on going up with two hands on rebounds, his offensive prowess hasn\u2019t missed a beat.<\/p>\n Sign up to our free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Facebook<\/a> for the latest news.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"colorado](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m55sx9hwfn7231rgq7.jpg\" "\\"colorado")
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