Colorado announces nonconference schedule, Kansas, Tennessee to visit Boulder

Fresh off an appearance in the NCAA tournament, Colorado will navigate a challenging nonconference schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

Head coach Tad Boyle announced the Buffaloes’ nonconference slate on Monday, featuring eight home games and a spot in the previously confirmed U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.

Two of the more highly-anticipated games include Tennessee on Dec. 4 and Kansas on Dec. 21. The Jayhawks will come to Boulder for the first time since Askia Booker’s memorable buzzer-beating shot took down then-No. 6 Kansas in 2013.

Colorado last saw Kansas in 2019 and Tennessee in 2020, both resulting in a loss.

Other notable opponents include defending Big Sky Tournament Champion Eastern Washington on Dec. 8 and Milwaukee on Dec. 10. Cal State Bakersfield comes on Dec. 18 for the first time since 2011. Boyle said he was excited to face Milwaukee’s Patrick Baldwin Jr. who is ranked the No. 4 player in the class of 2021 by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.

“It’s a terrific nonconference schedule that will prepare us for Pac-12 play,” Boyle said. “It will be a great test for our young team.”

Montana State will open up the Buffs’ season on Nov. 9 followed by New Mexico on Nov. 13 and Maine on Nov. 15. Colorado will then face Southern Illinois on Nov. 19 in the first round of the Paradise Jam.

Sandwiched in between the Paradise Jam and Tennessee, the Buffs host Stanford on Nov. 28 and face UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Dec. 1.

Also announced Monday, the CU Events Center will be allotted 100% capacity for all eight nonconference home games and, hopefully, beyond.

“The thing that our players are looking forward to the most is seeing fans back in the Events Center,” Boyle said. “Fans are going to be treated to a very exciting team with some veterans and newcomers with a lot of talent.”