As a die-hard fan of the Colorado Buffaloes, this past basketball season was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The 2024-25 season was filled with moments that tested our patience, but also highlighted the unwavering spirit of our team.
The season culminated yesterday in a hard-fought battle against the No. 2 ranked Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. Despite the 77-68 loss, our Buffs displayed commendable resilience. Facing one of the toughest defenses in the nation, Colorado battled until the final buzzer, showing the kind of resilience that made this team special.
Andrej Jakimovski led the charge with a career-high 25 points, keeping the Buffs competitive throughout. His first-half performance was particularly impressive, scoring 16 points to help Colorado claw back from an early deficit. Despite facing a physically dominant opponent, the Buffs found ways to respond, cutting Houston’s lead to single digits multiple times.
Though the loss ended Colorado’s tournament run, it was a moment of pride. Entering as the No. 16 seed, expectations were low—but the Buffs defied the odds, advancing further than we all thought was possible.
While the record might not reflect it, this season was one of my favorites as a Buffs supporter. The highs and lows, the moments of surprise wins interspersed with devastating losses, all contributed to our CU motto that this team will not be entrusted to the timid or the weak. Witnessing the team's determination, especially during the tournament run, reminded me why I fell in love with Colorado basketball in the first place.
As we look to the future, and even though this loss stings, the Buffs showed resilience and promise throughout the tournament, setting the foundation for the future. There's a palpable sense of optimism. The experiences of this season, particularly the tournament run and the senior leadership, will serve as building blocks for the next upcoming seasons.