CU’s changing roster produces a runaway

BOULDER» McKinley Wright IV is no doubt shouldering the bulk of the leadership and scoring responsibility for Colorado basketball early in the season. But the sophomore point guard is also mature enough to realize the Buffs won’t be able to rise to the top of the Pac-12 come the new year without the continued evolution of an array of other players.

“My job as the point guard of this team is to get everybody involved, and I know I’m surrounded by a ton of great players,” Wright said. “Once I get them the ball, my stuff will come, but I’m not worried about myself right now. … I’m focused on getting more comfortable in just trusting my teammates.”

Wright’s sentiment was evident in another Colorado victory at the CU Events Center on Tuesday as the Buffs improved to 6-1 with a 82-58 rout of South Dakota. In the victory over the Coyotes, the Buffs — with a roster full of intriguing story lines — got major contributions from the very players Wright knows will be critido cal when the competition stiffens in conference play.

“It makes it easier for McKinley if we’re all playing well,” said sophomore guard D’Shawn Schwartz. “He’s a guy who takes pride in his assists (a game-high five Wednesday), so if we’re making shots, if we’re getting open and playing well, it opens it up for him and it’s going to open more shots up for us as well.”

Schwartz, one of five Buffs scoring in double digits Tuesday, is just one sign of Colorado’s emerging supporting cast.

Versatile forward Tyler Bey’s domination in the second half against Colora- State over the weekend was a promising omen, and the sophomore followed that showing by pacing the Buffs with seven rebounds against South Dakota while also adding 13 points.

Bey’s physicality on the interior and capacity to defend the rim were on display against the Coyotes, and his combined paint presence with Evan Battey and Lucas Siewert (14 points each) were more than South Dakota could handle.

“Going against South Dakota, we knew the advantage for us was inside,” CU coach Tad Boyle said. “They didn’t have much size, and they have one big guy who came off the bench. The rest of their guys are undersized post guys.”

And while those three big men will continue to define Colorado’s frontcourt — with Battey looking stronger by the game in his return from a stroke last year and Siewert an emerging threat to shoot from long distance — Tuesday indicated the progression of the team’s hybrid guards is also coming along, including junior college transfer Shane Gatling.