Offensive Rebounding: A Key Focus for CU Buffs Men's Basketball
The Colorado men's basketball team is gearing up for a season of improvement, with a renewed emphasis on offensive rebounding. Early signs suggest this strategy might be paying off, as the team aims to bounce back from a challenging previous season.
Head coach Tad Boyle has been vocal about the importance of rebounding and defense, and this season, he's particularly focused on offensive rebounding. The team's annual Black and Gold intrasquad scrimmage provided a glimpse into the new-look roster, featuring 10 newcomers. With a larger and more versatile lineup, the Buffs are determined to turn things around after a disappointing 0-13 start in the Big 12 last season.
Boyle acknowledges the team's shortcomings in offensive rebounding, stating, 'Our offensive rebounding isn't good enough. We're standing and watching.' The coaching staff is committed to addressing this issue, aiming for more aggressive play on the offensive glass to secure additional possessions and second and third opportunities.
Despite ranking ninth in Big 12 games for average rebounding margin last year, the Buffs struggled in offensive rebounding, averaging just 9.4 rebounds in conference games. This season, with increased depth in the frontcourt and improved guards along the wing, the team believes it can enhance its turnover total and focus on offensive rebounding, potentially gaining more possessions for a more efficient offense.
Boyle highlights the challenge of teaching defensive boxing out techniques, a skill crucial for all coaches. He emphasizes the team's determination to capitalize on this issue, even if it means giving up more points in transition defense. The strategy is to crash the glass with more players, increasing the chances of securing second and third possessions.
The scrimmage showcased the team's progress, with freshman forward Alon Michaeli scoring one of the first buckets on a putback. The Black squad's opening lineup included Michaeli, Isaiah Johnson, Josiah Sanders, Andrew Crawford, and Tacko Ifaola, while the White team featured Barrington Hargress, Felix Kossaras, Jon Mani, Bangot Dak, and Elijah Malone. The scrimmage served as a stepping stone towards the season opener on November 3, with an exhibition game against Grace College, the former team of Elijah Malone, scheduled for September 19.
Despite his role as an observer, Boyle remained actively engaged, taking detailed notes during the scrimmage. He plans to thoroughly analyze the game footage, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the team's performance to make necessary adjustments.
