Boyle gears up for first season at CU

The first game of the men's basketball season is coming up November 12th against Idaho State, and new head coach Tad Boyle is starting to get more familiar with his new position.

“You know it’s still everyday is a new day and it’s a transition still,” said Boyle. “I feel much more comfortable today than I did last April, that’s for sure. So each day it gets a little bit better and it’s just great to be on the floor now with our team and get a chance to interact with them on a daily basis for an extended period of time.”

One key task for Boyle this season will be to help the Buffs grab more missed shots off the boards, after finishing last in the Big 12 in rebounding last year. Boyle believes that rebounding is something he can coach and not simply a matter of size and strength.

“You talk about it everyday,” said Boyle. “I’m not sure it’s a skill, but it’s a mentality and we’re trying to instill that mentality into every one of our players not just one.”

Tad Boyle was hired to become the new CU men’s basketball coach on April 19th after former coach Jeff Bzdelik left for Wake Forest. Boyle built his reputation as a head coach with a 25-8 season at the University of Northern Colorado last year.

When Boyle arrived at Northern Colorado in 2006, the Bears were ranked last in the college basketball RPI, out of 336 teams. After going 4-24 his first season, the Bears steadily began to improve, reaching their most wins in school history in Boyle’s final season.

CU will not be anything resembling the rebuilding job that Boyle had at UNC. The Buffs were 15-16 last season under Bzdelik, and on the brink of a post season NIT appearance. There are a number of talented players in place for the Buffs, including Cory Higgins and Alec Burks, who are both on the John Wooden award preseason watch list.

Boyle knows that it will be up to him and his team to play at a level high enough to raise interest in the program. He hopes to see the student section full and loud at home games. “College basketball is the greatest game in terms of spectators being close to the action, and having an effect on the outcome of the game,” said Boyle. “Our students at the University of Colorado can actually help us get wins.”