BOULDER – Colorado soared to a 79-70 victory over Kansas State on Wednesday night, thanks to a standout performance from freshman Ian Inman. This win marks the Buffs’ fourth consecutive home victory, bringing their record to 16-12 and 6-9 in the Big 12.
Inman was impressive, scoring 17 points and hitting five three-pointers. “There are shot takers and shot makers,” said head coach Tad Boyle. “Ian is a shot maker.” Fellow freshman Isaiah Johnson also shone, contributing 18 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
The Buffs started strong, quickly gaining a 19-point lead in the first half. Kansas State rallied but struggled to keep pace, falling back after a powerful 17-0 run from Colorado. The Wildcats’ P.J. Haggerty led his team with 25 points and 10 rebounds but couldn’t turn the tide.
The game was marked by stopped play due to four flagrant fouls and frequent media timeouts, which disrupted the flow. Boyle expressed concern, noting, “We lose our home court advantage with all these stoppages.”
Statistically, Colorado dominated the paint, outscoring Kansas State 20-16 in those areas. They also excelled from beyond the arc, making six three-pointers compared to three from their opponents. However, they also had 10 turnovers, which allowed Kansas State to stay close for much of the game.
Looking ahead, Colorado will face No. 5 Houston next. The Cougars enter the game on a three-game losing streak, a rarity for a team that has been a powerhouse since joining the Big 12. This matchup is an opportunity for Colorado to test its mettle against a higher-ranked opponent.
In recent years, the focus on young talents in college basketball has changed the game. New stats show that freshman players are making a big impact, often leading their teams in scoring and assists. As players like Inman and Johnson continue to develop, they could become pivotal in the race for tournament seeding later this season.
For more about college basketball statistics and trends, you can check out NCAA statistics.
