Colorado Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions, and more

Colorado steps into the 2024-25 college basketball season looking to surpass its NCAA Tournament run where they made the second round. Seventeen players make up the Buffaloes roster this season and are ready to make a splash in their first season in the Big 12 Conference.

Here's a closer look into Colorado's 2024-25 men's basketball season from its biggest games to its key players to watch out for.

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Colorado's biggest games in the 2024-25 season

Colorado unveiled its non-conference schedule that will feature the Maui Invitational and the Rocky Mountain Showdown with Colorado State.

The Buffaloes will take part in the eight-team Maui Invitational between Nov. 25-27. It'll be Colorado's first-ever appearance in the invitational tournament, which will also have Auburn, Dayton, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State and UConn contesting for the title.

Ten days later, the Buffaloes will lock horns with Colorado State Rams in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. It will be the 114th time both teams face each other, with Colorado leading the series, 92-41. The Rams, however, won their last encounter, 88-83.

Colorado will also have a challenging regular season schedule in their first stint in the Big 12 Conference. The Buffaloes will play home and away games against Kansas, Iowa State, Arizona State, TCU and UCF.

Colorado will host Baylor, Houston, BYU, Cincinnati and West Virginia and visit Arizona, Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

COLORADO'S 2024-25	BIG 12 CONFERENCE MATCHUPS
Home and Away	Kansas, Iowa State, Arizona State, TCU, UCF
Home only	Baylor, Houston, BYU, Cincinnati, West Virginia
Away only	Arizona, Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech

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Key Colorado players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

Colorado coach Tad Boyle has brought in 17 players for the Buffaloes' 2024-25 season. These new players consist of seven holdovers, three transfers, three high school recruits and four redshirts. They'll look to help Colorado achieve its goal of making the NCAA Tournament for the second straight time.

#1. Julian Hammond III

Colorado guard Julian Hammond III (Image Source: IMAGN)

Julian Hammond III is one of the key contributors for Colorado last season. Hammond played 24 games and averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

He's set to have a breakout season for the Buffaloes as six of their top scorers have either graduated or explored the transfer portal after the season ended.

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#2. Andrej Jakimovski

Colorado forward Andrej Jakimovski (Image Source: IMAGN)

Andrej Jakimovski transferred to Colorado after four seasons with Washington State. The 6-foot-8 Macedonian forward had a good fourth season for the Cougars, averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.

Jakimovski is expected to bring firepower in the forward spot for the Buffaloes, as he shot 33.2% from the 3-point line on 1.9 makes per game.

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#3. Trevor Baskin

Trevor Baskin was a Division II standout at Colorado Mesa. He averaged 18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in his fourth season with the Mavericks.

The six-foot-nine forward is expected to fill the void left by Tristan da Silva, who was selected as the 18th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the recent NBA Draft.

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Colorado predictions for the 2024-25 season

With most of its top scorers graduating or transferring to other programs, Colorado will likely count on Julian Hammond III as their go-to-guy this season. Hammond has proven that he can contribute for the team despite having teammates that demand the ball more often.

Now it's Hammond's time to carry the team along with Trevor Baskin and Andrej Jakimovski. The Buffaloes are expected to win 20 games this season and will likely have an outside chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament this coming season.

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Will Colorado make its second straight NCAA Tournament this season? Let us know your views in the comments section.