Monica: Derrick White is back in Boulder. But Isaiah Johnson just left for Texas. And Colorado just took an overtime loss to Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown quarterfinals. Where does this team actually stand right now? We are breaking down the power rankings, the roster crisis, and what it all means for the Big 12.
Frank: It’s a weird time for the Buffs. You have a former NBA player coming home to run strategy, while your starting guard commits to a rival. Let’s get into it.
Monica: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Monica. I’m here with Frank. If you’re new here, we are America’s number one daily sports podcast network, and today we’re doing something different. We’re ranking Colorado.
Frank: That’s right. It’s October 20th, 2026. The season hasn’t tipped yet, but the narrative has already shifted dramatically. We’ve got three things for you today. First, where Colorado stands in the Big 12 power rankings given their 17-15 finish last year. Second, the impact of Derrick White’s appointment as President of Basketball Strategy versus the loss of Isaiah Johnson. And third, a realistic win projection for the 2026-27 campaign.
Monica: So, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Last season ended with a heartbreaking 90-86 overtime loss to Oklahoma in the CBC quarterfinals. Nijel Pack scored six of his twenty points in OT to seal it. Colorado finished 17-15 overall and 7-12 in the Big 12. Frank, if you had to put them on a shelf right now, before a single practice starts, where do they sit?
Frank: I think we need to look at the floor and ceiling projections that ESPN has out for every Big 12 team. Colorado enters this season as a mid-tier squad, likely ranked somewhere between eighth and tenth in the conference. They aren’t a contender yet, but they aren’t cellar dwellers either. The 7-12 record last year tells us they struggled with consistency against league competition.
Monica: And that’s coming off a loss to Oklahoma, who was 19-15 and 9-12 in the SEC. So we know they can hang with the middle of the pack. But losing Isaiah Johnson changes the math. He averaged 16.9 points and 3.0 assists. That’s not just stats; that’s gravity on the floor.
Frank: Exactly. In the Big 12 power rankings, depth matters more than ever. With Johnson heading to Texas, Colorado drops a spot or two in our internal tier list. They’re no longer the team that might sneak into the NCAA Tournament as a wild card. As we predicted yesterday, the path is much harder. They’re looking at a rebuild of sorts, even though the core is still there.
Monica: But wait—Derrick White. Celtics guard Derrick White was announced Tuesday as the president of basketball strategy for his alma mater. Does that help offset the loss of Johnson? Or is that purely an administrative boost?
Frank: It’s a huge cultural boost. White knows this system. He knows the players. But he’s not taking shots on the court. The question is whether his presence influences the remaining roster or attracts late-night transfers. For now, though, in terms of pure on-court power rankings, Colorado sits at the bottom half of the Big 12 top eight. They have work to do.
Monica: So, eighth to tenth. A tough pill to swallow after being considered a rising program just a few months ago. But let’s talk about what they *do* have going for them. What are the strengths?
Frank: Before we move to segment two, quick favor. If you enjoyed this deep dive into the Buffs' chaos, please consider supporting the show. Your contribution keeps us free and daily. Just use the link in the episode description.
Monica: Thanks, everyone. Okay, Frank, let’s get tactical. Segment Two: Strengths and Question Marks. We know they lost to Oklahoma in OT. What worked for Colorado in that game? And more importantly, what broke?
Frank: The strength was clearly spacing when they got Nijel Pack involved. Pack is a scorer. When he created off the dribble, Colorado found open looks. That’s a legitimate offensive strength. They have the talent to punish bad switches. If the coaching staff leverages White’s strategic insights to improve pick-and-roll coverage, they can be dangerous.
Monica: But the question mark? Obviously, the guard play after Johnson leaves. Who steps up? And defensively, were they vulnerable in transition? Oklahoma pushed the pace in that OT win.
Frank: Transition defense is the big worry. Colorado gave up easy buckets in the second half. Without Johnson’s playmaking to slow games down, they might struggle to control tempo. Also, rim protection. If they don’t sign a strong interior presence from the portal, teams will attack the basket. We talked about needing aggressive transfer acquisitions yesterday. That’s still true.
Monica: So, the strength is perimeter scoring with Pack, but the weakness is guard depth and transition defense. And Derrick White’s role is strategic, not physical. How do they fix the rotation issues?
Frank: They need better communication on switches. Simple stuff. But in the Big 12, simple stuff gets exploited by elite teams. If they can’t rotate quickly, they’ll get blown by again. That’s the challenge.
Monica: Alright, Segment Three. The Outlook. We’re projecting wins. Given the loss of Johnson, the addition of White, and the recent OT heartbreak, what’s the realistic win total for 2026-27?
Frank: I’m going to say 18 to 20 wins. They’ll probably split their non-conference slate, but the Big 12 is brutal. If they land a key transfer guard, maybe they hit 20. If not, 18 feels like the ceiling. They’re fighting for a tournament bid, not hosting a round.
Monica: 18 to 20 wins. That’s a step back from the hype cycle, but it’s still respectable. Do you think they make the NCAA Tournament?
Frank: Yes, but it’s tight. They’ll need to go at least 8-10 in conference play. That’s hard. But with White’s eyes on the program, I believe they’ll find a way to grind out wins against lower-tier teams. They won’t dominate, but they’ll survive.
Monica: Survival mode. Got it. So, final thoughts. Colorado is a team in transition. Derrick White brings stability, but Isaiah Johnson’s exit creates a hole that needs filling. They’re ranked mid-table in the Big 12, aiming for 18-20 wins and a tournament dance.
Frank: Agreed. It’s a fascinating storyline to watch unfold over the next month. The transfer portal will be busy.
Monica: If you want more breakdowns like this, subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Buff fan. Let’s keep the momentum going. Go Buffs!