Colorado Tied for 14th in Big 12 Preseason Poll

The conference's head coaches have placed Colorado in a tie for 14th entering the upcoming men's basketball season.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball

Colorado Tied for 14th in Big 12 Preseason Poll

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Big 12 head coaches have released their annual preseason men's basketball poll, placing Colorado in a tie for 14th place alongside Kansas State. The conference projection reflects expectations for the upcoming season following a 17-16 performance by Colorado last year.

Why it matters

The preseason ranking highlights the competitive landscape within the Big 12 as teams prepare for the new season. It provides a baseline expectation for programs like Colorado as they navigate a challenging conference schedule.

Colorado received 34 points in the coaches' poll, matching Kansas State in a tie for 14th place. The team enters the season after posting a 17-16 overall record and a 7-11 conference mark last year.

The players

Colorado

The University of Colorado men's basketball team competes in the Big 12 Conference.

Arizona

Arizona is a collegiate basketball program in the Big 12 projected to lead the conference.

Barrington Hargress

Barrington Hargress is a key player for Colorado who averaged 14.7 points and 4.5 assists last season.

Kansas State

Kansas State is a Big 12 basketball program tied with Colorado in the preseason coaches' poll.

Utah

Utah is a Big 12 basketball program that received the fewest points in the coaches' poll.

The details

Colorado and Kansas State finished at the lower end of the poll, while Arizona garnered 12 of 16 first-place votes. Barrington Hargress returns to the court after recording averages of 14.7 points and 4.5 assists per game during the previous season.

March 2026: Colorado played as the No. 11 seed in the Big 12 tournament.
October 15, 2026: The Big 12 announced the preseason coaches' poll results.

Season Trajectory

This preseason ranking frames expectations for Colorado following their appearance in the 2026 Big 12 tournament. It establishes the benchmark for how the team must improve to climb out of the bottom tier of the conference standings.

Colorado faces a significant climb to improve upon their No. 11 seed status from last March. Supporters can monitor how the team's offensive efficiency shifts given the return of Barrington Hargress and his previous average of 4.5 assists per game.

The takeaway

The preseason coaches' poll serves as an early indicator of the uphill battle Colorado faces this season. Staying competitive in the Big 12 will require the team to significantly improve upon its recent conference record.