New Face of Colorado Basketball Shines in College Basketball Crown

Despite the Colorado Buffaloes' early exit from the College Basketball Crown tournament, the new face of the program shone in his new role.

Mar 7, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle reacts in the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

During the Colorado Buffaloes’ 90-86 overtime loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Basketball Crown tournament, the face of the future was one of their bright spots.

Star guard Barrington Hargress had an impressive performance as the team's main option, leaving a feeling of hope for the program’s future.

Feb 21, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Barrington Hargress (24) reacts following his three point score against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Hargress’s first game as the face of the Buffs

With Johnson, Rancik and Dak not joining the team in Las Vegas, Nevada for the College Basketball Crown, Hargress would be called upon to step up as the Buffaloes’ primary weapon.

With the Buffs lacking depth and staring down the first team out of March Madness in the Oklahoma Sooners, he proved himself worthy of the new role.

Hargress recorded a game-high 31 points and a team-high three assists, along with five rebounds and a steal in 41 minutes. He spent more time on the court than any other player in the game. The next highest was the Buffs’ leading rebounder, guard Josiah Sanders, who played 36 minutes in the contest.

Jan 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Barrington Hargress (24) in the huddle with teammates against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Despite the loss, Colorado was battling with a team that nearly made the dance down to the very end. Taking the Sooners to overtime is no easy task, but the Buffs led for 28:57 of the contest in an impressive performance from this Hargress-led squad.

"Once we found out that we were playing in this thing, and we had the opportunity, our players wanted to play, and they showed it tonight," Boyle said postgame. "That team played their guts out on the court. That's what playing in late March and April is all about."

As the Buffaloes look to build around Hargress, this game will serve as confirmation that he is up to the task. He will likely be back as a primary scoring option in 2026, this time, leading an up-and-coming squad in Boulder.

Hargress’s season leading up to his new role

Hargress had a standout debut season with Colorado. 

He was listed as a four-star transfer out of UC Riverside during the offseason. While with the Highlanders, he was the leading scorer, averaging 20.2 points per game. But while Colorado coach Tad Boyle knew his scoring would be important to the Buffs, he targeted Hargress as a secondary option.

Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Barrington Hargress (24) dribbles the ball during the second half against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

Hargress averaged 4.25 assists per game in his career at UC Riverside. With freshman guard Isaiah Johnson joining the Buffs as well, Hargress fit the mold of a supporting guard and secondary scoring option.

He filled that role well, averaging 14.2 points per game, good for second on the team behind Johnson, along with a team-leading 4.5 assists. 

Following his impressive year, and the announcements that Johnson, as well as star forwards Bangot Dak and Sebastian Rancik, plan on entering the transfer portal, Hargress announced that he will be returning to Colorado for 2026.

"Barrington is a leader who is crucial to what we do as a team because he makes everyone around him better," said Boyle after Hargress’s return was announced. "He is a top tier point-guard in the Big 12, the best conference in college basketball, and is the perfect player to build a squad around. He's also a tremendous person and I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to coach him another year." 

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