8. Colorado Buffaloes (10-6, 1-3 Pac-12) LW: 10
A former strength has now turned to a form of weakness, as a once-deep rotation has suddenly become thin for the Buffaloes.
After a slew of injuries, both prior and during their game against Washington, and one player ruled ineligible due to academics, Colorado found themselves with a mere six scholarship players on the bench for the majority of the second half of a 77-70 loss to the Huskies.
The biggest of the injuries came during the matchup as the team’s leading scorer in McKinley Wright IV left the game in the first half with a shoulder issue. The sophomore guard has proven to be pivotal player on the team, averaging 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
While the impact of Wright’s injury may be the biggest loss for the team, several other players inactivity’ has also hurt the Buffaloes, including junior guard Deleon Brown, who was ruled out due to academic reasons.
On top of the academic troubles, Colorado is still awaiting on timetables for both Dallas Walton, who tore his ACL in the preseason and is unsure about whether he will play this season, and Namon Wright, who has missed the last three games with injury.
After beginning the season 8-1, the now 10-6 Buffaloes will look to get back on track as the team will look to win their single matchup this week at Salt Lake City against Utah.
– Whitehouse