Tad Boyle Admits Shame After Colorado Men's Basketball's Loss at Texas Tech

While there have been some encouraging moments this season, the Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team hit a new low in Wednesday's blowout loss to the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Coach Tad Boyle's young Buffs shot a season-low 29.1 percent from the field and again struggled on the boards, hauling in only 30 rebounds to Texas Tech's 47. Equally as concerning, Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak and Elijah Malone shot a combined 1-for-15 in the 78-44 road loss.

Tad Boyle Colorado Men's Basketball Loss Texas Tech Buffaloes Red Raiders Big 12 Ian Inman Sebastian Rancik Isaiah Johnson CU — Feb 11, 2026; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) strips Colorado Buffaloes forward Sebastian Rancik (7) of the ball in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

In classic Boyle fashion, Colorado's 16th-year head coach didn't hold much back in his postgame press conference.

"I'm embarrassed by our performance," Boyle said, per Cory Whitman. "I'm embarrassed for our university. I'm embarrassed for the city of Boulder. I'm embarrassed for the state of Colorado. I'm embarrassed for every former player that has worn this uniform. We gotta own this."

University of Colorado head coach Tad Boyle on the 78-44 loss to No. 16 Texas Tech:

“I’m embarrassed by our performance. I’m embarrassed for our University. I’m embarrassed for the city of Boulder. I’m embarrassed for the state of Colorado.” pic.twitter.com/kjl0dkIG3z
— Cory Whitman (@CoryWhitmanDT) February 12, 2026

Boyle was particularly disappointed by Colorado allowing Texas Tech to secure 17 offensive rebounds, which led to 21 second-chance points. Despite Boyle's best intentions to take away the 3, Texas Tech drilled 12 shots from beyond the arc.

"It's just not good enough," Boyle added.

"We Wasted Our University's Money"

After falling to 14-11 overall (4-8 Big 12), Boyle admitted that his Buffs were unworthy of taking a private flight back to Colorado.

"We deserve to be on a 6 a.m. flight out of Lubbock, commercial, Southwest, whatever airline you choose," Boyle said. "We don't deserve a chartered flight back to Boulder. We got one paid for, but we wasted our money. We wasted our university's money, and that's one me. I'll take the ownership of this because I'm that head coach. The buck stops with me."

Colorado's latest loss further revealed the lack of growth from Dak, Rancik and Malone, who entered this season expected to lead an otherwise young group. Fortunately for the program, freshmen Isaiah Johnson and Ian Imnan combined for 25 points as the Buffs' lone offensive standouts.

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For Texas Tech, JT Toppin, Jaylen Petty, Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson combined for 62 points on 22 made field goals, exposing a considerable physicality gap between the Buffs and Red Raiders. Few expected the Buffs to hang with the 18-win Red Raiders, but Wednesday's performance remains difficult to digest.

"Texas Tech has a motto with their program, that the toughest team wins," Boyle said. "There wasn't any question who the tougher team was tonight, and that was Texas Tech."

Unless significant changes occur, the Buffs are likely staring down another blowout loss with their next game coming Saturday at No. 22 BYU. Colorado holds only one true road win this season, and BYU's Marriott Center hasn't proven kind to visiting teams this season.

Tipoff between the Buffs and Cougars is set for 2 p.m. MT on FS1.