Simpson, da Silva all-conference Pac-12 selections

This entire season, Colorado fans never knew what to expect out of the offense of the men’s basketball team.

On some nights, steady streams of turnovers squashed any chance for victory. On others, the Buffs couldn’t shoot straight. And still, every so often, the Buffs played as if they could go toe-to-toe with any team in the nation.

Throughout all these ups and downs, Tristan da Silva was a steady force. And coaches around the Pac-12 Conference took notice.

The league announced its year- end awards Tuesday, with da Silva earning first team all-conference honors. KJ Simpson landed on the all-conference second team for the Buffs, who open the Pac-12 tournament on Wednesday against Washington in Las Vegas.

Da Silva has posted 11 20-point games, becoming the first CU player with at least 10 in a season since Derrick White recorded 15 in 2016-17. Da Silva’s scoring average of 15.9 ranks sixth overall in the Pac-12 (tied with Simpson), and his season highlights include a 5-for-7 outing with 14 points in CU’S early-season upset of Tennessee, and a careerhigh 30 points with seven rebounds in a home rout of Oregon on Jan. 5.

Simpson, who will be sidelined for the Pac-12 tournament due to mono, was named to the all-freshman team last year. He is the sixth second team honoree for the Buffs since joining the Pac-12.

Stevens earned all- conference nod: Despite all the injuries and bitter defeats that defined the Colorado State men’s basketball program this winter, Isaiah Stevens’ excellence has never waived.

After leading the Mountain West in assists and finishing fourth in scoring, the Rams senior point guard was recognized for his brilliant play with a first-team All-mountain West selection.

Stevens scored in double figures in all 24 regular season games he appeared in for CSU this season, putting up averages for 17.9 points and 6.8 assists per game, and became CSU’S all-time assist leader in January. This is his fourth all- conference selection, following second-team picks the previous two years and a thirdteam nod as the Mountain West freshman of the year in 2019-20.

Earlier this week, CSU guard Mckenna Hofschild was named the Mountain West women’s basketball player of the year, while teammate Destiny Thurman was named newcomer of the year.