Boyle Leaves Four Freshmen on Practice Squad as Colorado Rotation Narrows

The Colorado men's basketball team will run a nine-player rotation for its 2026-27 season opener.

On Friday, the program reached the ten-day mark before hosting Abilene Christian on Nov. 2. This date begins the 17th season under head coach Tad Boyle. Last year, Colorado finished 17-16 and used 11 players in at least 20 games. Seven players made at least 10 starts. That level of depth is unlikely to return this year.

The expected starting lineup consists of guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman. Forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez will likely round out the group. Gomez’s minutes may be limited while he recovers from foot surgery performed a year ago. Four freshmen have accepted practice roles for the season. These players are forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen.

The four newcomers arrived in Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed in November 2025. The other three joined the roster late last spring. Jacobsen grew up in the Midwest and played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. A torn ACL in his junior year slowed his recruiting. Hill comes from a coaching family. His father is the winningest women’s basketball coach at Division III Trinity University. His grandfather, Bob Hill, was a longtime NBA coach who helped recruit Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Jones reopened his recruiting after a coaching change at Georgia State.

Hill described his goal as simple development. He noted he could have gone to Division III and transferred later, but chose Colorado to grow over four or five years. Jacobsen said accepting a limited role was difficult at first. He now focuses on working hard every day without pressure to perform. "Just trying to earn what I can," Jacobsen said.

Boyle said the situation is fluid. He noted that Jones had a strong practice on Friday. He also said Jacobsen and Hill have done good things. The coach said the players have capability but lack consistency because they are young. Their standing in December could look different from their status in mid-to-late October. Boyle asked them to prepare mentally for when they are called upon to play.

The team will face Abilene Christian on Nov. 2 to start the season.