Buffaloes center Tory Miller out for season

Colorado Buffaloes starting center Tory Miller-Stewart is out for the season with a broken foot, Mark Johnson reported. Miller-Stewart is a senior and this could very well be the end of his Colorado career.

This is a critical injury for the Buffaloes in that Miller-Stewart plays a vital role for the team. After Evan Battey had to redshirt, the Buffs were dangerously thin at the frontcourt. Miller-Stewart’s best attributes are rebounding and finishing inside, so he was a solid player to have as the only traditional big man in a small-ball lineup.

Miller-Stewart is also the the only experienced big man on the roster. Colorado has two big men on the roster in sophomore Lucas Siewert and freshman Dallas Walton. Siewert is likely to step up into the starting rotation and can immediately contribute on offense and rebounding, but his defense is developing. It doesn’t help that Siewert has battled ankle injuries. Walton is now required to be the first big off the bench, a role he is likely nowhere ready for as he is about as raw of a big we’ve seen in a long time.

Hopefully the Buffs will be able to fill in for Miller-Stewart’s absence, but it will be an uphill climb. We’re also hoping Miller-Stewart is able to acquire a medical redshirt and continue his career next season.