Colorado Buffaloes Nearly Double Basketball Spending

The Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team is poised for a substantial financial upgrade, with plans to nearly double their spending for the next fiscal year. This strategic move comes as athletic director Fernando Lovo faces pressure to support Coach Tad Boyle's program, especially after the departure of star guard Isaiah Johnson.

In the 2025 fiscal year, Colorado's men's basketball expenditure was approximately $8.6 million, placing it last among power programs. The planned doubling of this budget would elevate annual spending to over $17 million, positioning the team third in the Big 12 and 15th nationally. This increase is a critical adaptation to the current landscape of college athletics.

Despite a department-wide deficit, Lovo has prioritized this investment in Boyle's program. The 16-year veteran coach, who leads the Buffaloes in all-time wins, will now have greater resources to retain players and improve the team's performance. The program has not reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 in 57 years, the third-longest drought among Power Five schools.

In a significant development for team retention, guard Barrington Hargress, a key player averaging 14.2 points and 4.5 assists, has committed to return. Hargress's efficiency, particularly his assist-to-turnover ratio, has been exceptional this season. Coach Boyle expressed his enthusiasm, calling Hargress a "top-tier point guard" and the "perfect player to build a squad around."