Colorado Buffaloes Seek to Rebuild After Star Transfers

With Isaiah Johnson and Bangot Dak leaving, the Buffs will rely on Barrington Hargress and a talented young core.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:57pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Colorado Buffaloes basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant shades of blue, gold, and red, conveying the team's need for a strategic, multifaceted approach to rebuilding after key losses.The Colorado Buffaloes face a complex rebuilding challenge after losing key players, requiring a strategic, multi-faceted approach to regroup and return to contention.Kansas City Today

After losing star guard Isaiah Johnson and forward Bangot Dak to the transfer portal, the Colorado Buffaloes will need to rebuild around returning guard Barrington Hargress. The team plans to double its NIL budget to help retain key players, including forward Sebastian Rancik, guard Ian Inman, and defensive standout Jalin Holland.

Why it matters

The departures of Johnson and Dak leave significant holes in Colorado's lineup, especially on the offensive end. However, the Buffs have a chance to develop their young talent and build a new identity around Hargress and the emerging core. Their success in the transfer portal and ability to maximize the NIL program will be crucial in determining how quickly they can reload and return to contention.

The details

With Johnson and Dak gone, the Buffs will lean on Barrington Hargress as their offensive centerpiece. Rancik, who showed flashes of stardom as a freshman, will be counted on to take a big leap forward. Inman emerged as a capable shooter late last season and could see an expanded role. Defensively, Holland made an impact as a freshman and could take on an even bigger responsibility, potentially shifting to the frontcourt in certain alignments.

  • Colorado lost Johnson and Dak to the transfer portal following the 2025 season.
  • The Buffs have announced they will double their NIL budget for the upcoming offseason.
  • The team is looking to build around Hargress and develop their young core of Rancik, Inman, and Holland for the 2026 season.

The players

Barrington Hargress

The returning guard who will be the focal point of Colorado's offense next season.

Sebastian Rancik

A talented forward who showed flashes of stardom as a freshman and will be counted on to take a big leap forward.

Ian Inman

A capable shooter who emerged late last season and could see an expanded role in the Buffs' offense.

Jalin Holland

A defensive standout as a freshman who could take on an even bigger responsibility, potentially shifting to the frontcourt in certain alignments.

Fernando Lovo

The Colorado athletic director who announced the team will double its NIL budget for the upcoming offseason.

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What’s next

The Buffs will look to the transfer portal and maximize their increased NIL budget to reload their roster and build around Hargress, Rancik, Inman, and Holland for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Colorado faces a significant challenge in replacing the production and leadership of Johnson and Dak, but the team has a talented young core to build around. Their ability to develop that talent and effectively utilize the transfer portal and NIL program will be crucial in determining how quickly they can return to contention in the Pac-12.