Colorado men’s basketball opens its 2025-26 season Monday evening at the CU Events Center against the Big Sky Conference’s Montana State Bobcats.
While the two teams may be on opposite sides of the conference hierarchy spectrum when it comes to college basketball, the Bobcats and the Buffaloes seem to always play close games. The programs last met in the 2021 season opener with the Buffs winning a 94-90 overtime thriller. The previous two meetings have gone into overtime.
For head coach Tad Boyle and this year’s Colorado team, 2025 represents a fresh start for a program that went 3-17 in its first season in the Big 12 and had zero road wins. The Buffs reloaded with three blue-chip freshmen and an experienced transfer portal point guard, Barrington Hargress.
Look for Hargress, freshman Isaiah Johnson, Josiah Sanders and Jalin Holland to provide most of the scoring output.
Follow along here during the game for live score updates, highlights, stats and analysis.
After drilling three free throws, Johnson continues to make himself known by hitting a deep 3-pointer, which he follows up with a smooth drive to the hoop.
It is the first game of the season, but Johnson clearly seems like the Buffaloes’ top offensive option. He is up to 22 points on 6-9 from the field, 2-3 from 3-point range and a 9-11 mark from the charity stripe.
Montana State is shooting 57% from the field during the second half, and while the Colorado defense has not been great, the Bobcats have made some tough shots. The Bobcats’ top two scorers, Jed Miller and Patrick McMahon, have 32 combined points.
Montana State is not backing down and continues to drain in 3-pointers. Elijah Malone is heading to the free-throw line and has a CU career high of 11 rebounds. The Buffs are only shooting 50% from the free-throw line, a concerning stat.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson has definitely brought a spark, as have Malone and Rancik.
Colorado has retaken the lead thanks to a 6-0 run that includes an Isaiah Johnson 3-pointer and two 3-point plays by Elijah Malone and Sebastian Rancik.
Can the Buffs continue to ramp up the defense?
Colorado has made five of its last six buckets, but cannot slow down Patrick McMahon, who has nine points on 4-6 shooting. The Buffs are in the bonus for the rest of the game, but are only 10-19 from the line. Hopefully some second half magic is on tap for the Buffaloes.
The Bobcats have increased their lead to four, shooting 50% from the field and 45% from 3-point range. The Buffs are 1-8 from 3-point range, a similar theme to last season.
Colorado had only three turnovers in the first half, but already has three in the second, and continues to struggle on defense.
Colorado started moving the ball again, but missed free throws (7-14) and defense (Montana State shooting 55% from the field) have kept the Bobcats in the game.
CU had a solid first 11 minutes, but the final nine left much to be desired. Sebastian Rancik leads all scorers with 8 points, and Bangot Dak adds seven.
Colorado’s offense has stalled with too many isolation possessions. The Buffs have not scored for 3:30 minutes, and the Bobcats are in the midst of an 11-1 run. Josiah Sanders headed to the FT line after the media timeout to hopefully end the drought.
Montana State is hanging around, shooting 54% from the field, but its five turnovers for eight Colorado points are the difference. Buffaloes’ offense is 10-16 shooting, but the defense has let off a bit since the opening minutes.
The team is visibly significantly more athletic than last year. Just take a look at this play:
The Buffs are 8-12 from the field and have six points off four Bobcat turnovers. Rancik and Dak are forming a solid frontcourt pairing, with both having six early points. Freshman guard Josiah Sanders has flashed early on.
The former Miami Heat NBA champion is in attendance for Colorado’s season opener.
Colorado’s defense is generating turnovers, leading to easy offense. The Buffaloes enter the first media timeout on a 7-0 run, and so far the offense looks sharp, going 4 of 5 from the field and committing no turnovers.
Rancik got a clean look and didn’t miss. A could start after coming off the injury.
Elijah Malone gets the first touch on offense in the post and is immediately fouled. He converts from the line to open the scoring.
Starters: G Barrington Hargress, G Felix Kossaras, F Sebastian Rancik, F Bangot Dak, C Elijah Malone.
Rancik injured his ankle during the preseason, but was warming up with the team and looks set for the season opener.
How to watch Colorado basketball vs. Montana State: Tip-off time, TV channel, streaming
TV Channel: ESPN+
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
The Buffaloes and Bobcats will tip off at 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN+. The game will also be available to stream on the ESPN app.
Watch Colorado basketball vs. Montana State on ESPN+
Colorado basketball vs. Montana State betting spread, over/under
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 3.
- Point Spread: Colorado by 12 1/2
- Money Line: Colorado -900, Arizona +600
- Over/under: 147 1/2
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