Colorado Buffs' Search for a Reliable 3-Point Shooter Continues
One of the most glaring weaknesses from last season for the Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team might not be quickly fixed during the daily drills of preseason practice. Developing into a consistent 3-point shooter is a skill that demands dedication throughout the entire year—and the Buffs have been focusing on this challenge all offseason. Whether this previously problematic area will transform into a strength by the time the team kicks off their 2025-26 season on November 3 against Montana State remains an open question. However, head coach Tad Boyle remains optimistic, confident that the team has shooters with potential and believes that their long-range shooting will improve with hard work in the preseason.
Last season, Colorado's performance from beyond the arc was a collective struggle that held the team back. The two players who were solid from the 3-point line—Julian Hammond III and RJ Smith—have since left the program, leaving a notable gap. "We have many guys who can shoot 3-pointers," Boyle said, "but the key now is for them to become consistently reliable. Ian Inman arrived knowing he could shoot, and he's definitely shown that. Still, this is an area he can keep improving on. Even someone like Steph Curry, arguably the greatest shooter ever, aims to be better each year. Shooting is a craft you never truly master."
Colorado's 3-point percentage was among the poorest in the Big 12 last season—ranked 15th with a .321 mark, which stands as one of the worst shooting seasons under Boyle’s 15-year leadership. The situation was even more stark in conference games, where the Buffs shot only .290 from three-point range.
The offseason priorities for Colorado included strengthening the frontcourt, securing a reliable point guard, and improving the team's shooting from long range. The Buffs made progress on two of those fronts by bringing in international recruits Leonardo Van Elswyk and Alon Michaeli to add size and depth upfront, alongside freshman Tacko Ifaola. Meanwhile, UC Riverside transfer Barrington Hargress was acquired to fill the need for a point guard capable of creating shots for himself and his teammates.
However, Hargress’s 3-point shooting has been mediocre, with a .323 percentage over two seasons as a starter. Boyle acknowledged that while finding a natural 3-point sharpshooter on the transfer market would have been ideal, shooting is a skill that can—and should—be developed during practice. It's not necessarily the top priority when scouting potential transfers. "The ironic thing in basketball," Boyle explained, "is many great 3-point shooters aren't the best defenders or the toughest players on the court. Some coaches recruit shooters exclusively, but often at a cost to defense and physicality. Our team has players who might not have been recruited solely for shooting, but they continue working hard to improve this skill."
Some of the Buffs’ 3-point potential could come from their freshmen. Ian Inman has already shown steady promise since joining the team this summer. Another newcomer, Josiah Sanders, reportedly fired up an astonishing 23,000 to 24,000 three-point shots in just three months—from June 1 to September 1—showcasing his commitment and volume of practice. Among returning players, Bangot Dak, Felix Kossaras, Elijah Malone, and Sebastian Rancik didn’t attempt many 3-pointers last year and combined for a low .271 shooting percentage from deep. Still, Boyle is optimistic they'll improve together.
Ian Inman expressed confidence about his shooting, saying, "I feel I can knock them down whenever the team needs me to. Right now in practice, I'm hitting about 50% of my three-point attempts. If I keep making shots and play solid defense, that will translate well both in college and eventually at the professional level."
Schedule Update
The Buffs made a slight change to the timing of their upcoming Black and Gold intrasquad scrimmage. On Saturday, doors at the CU Events Center will open at 9:45 a.m., with the scrimmage starting promptly at 10 a.m.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is prioritizing shooting consistency over recruiting pure shooters the smartest approach? Should a team willing to sacrifice defensive prowess for shooting precision rethink its strategy, or is developing shooters from within the smarter, long-term path? What do you think? Share your thoughts below—do you agree with Coach Boyle’s philosophy or believe the Buffs need to aggressively chase sharpshooters? The discussion is wide open.
