Tad Boyle is hot on the recruiting trail.
The Colorado Buffaloes officially signed two transfers this week, Barrington Hargress from UC Riverside and Jon Mani from Denver.
Hargress is the big one. Tad Boyle was looking for a lead guard last summer, couldn’t find one, and then this past season wishing he had. (Julian Hammond did a great job, but he’s more of a pure point guard than a pure scorer.) Hargress should be that guy.
In two seasons with the Highlanders, Hargress demonstrated his ability to create shots for himself and others, averaging more than 20 points and 4 assists. The 6’0, 195-lbs. guard isn’t big, but he’s explosive, strong and knows how to get to his spots. Sometimes he veers too far into hero ball, but hopefully he’ll trust his CU teammates a bit more.
While Hargress was a home run transfer, Jon Mani is an infield single. A three-star out of Beverly Hills, California, Mani was DU’s highest ever recruit, but the freshman struggled badly in what was a lost season for the Pios. His play time was sporadic, his production almost non-existent, and DU coach Jeff Wulbrun was fired midseason.
Tad Boyle sees potential in Mani, highlighting his ability to pass, dribble and shoot, a versatile skill set for a 6’6 guard. Mani will compete for a rotation spot, but is more likely to redshirt as strength coach Steve Englehart could add a few pounds to his wiry frame.
The Buffs will be a young team, as those transfers arrive to Boulder alongside five high schools recruits headlined by Josiah Sanders and Jalin Holland. They join returning star Bangot Dak, promising freshmen Sebastian Rancik and Felix Kossaras, and lone senior Elijah Malone.
Colorado has one more scholarship and will look for an instant contributor, likely on the wing.