Colorado Buffaloes Announce Non‑Conference Slate
The University of Colorado’s men’s basketball program has officially released its non‑conference schedule for the 2020‑21 season, a slate that promises a blend of early road challenges and home‑court opportunities. The Buffs are aiming to sharpen their rhythm before stepping into the rigors of Pac‑12 play.
The season will open in Manhattan, Kansas, where the team will first meet South Dakota and then Kansas State. Those early games set the tone for a campaign that expects strong non‑conference performance and a smooth transition into conference competition.
December brings a pair of marquee matchups against Arizona and Washington State, followed by a home game against Colorado State on December 8 after the traditional Rocky Mountain Showdown was canceled.
Substituting the Rocky Mountain Showdown
Mid‑December also features home contests against Northern Colorado and Omaha, giving the squad additional chances to fine‑tune before heading west for the Far West Classic.
In Las Vegas the Buffs will meet Washington and Grand Canyon in the Far West Classic, a neutral‑site showcase that adds another layer of preparation before conference action begins.
Conference opener on the road
The Buffs will begin Pac‑12 play on the road against UCLA and USC, marking the start of a demanding stretch that will test their ability to compete away from home.
January’s schedule takes the team through Oregon and Oregon State, then to Berkeley and Stanford, before a road trip to face Utah, providing a mix of familiar and new opponents as the conference slate unfolds.
February home series and final push
February brings a home series against Arizona and Arizona State, followed by a swing through Northern California to meet Cal and Stanford again. The Buffs will then host their final regular‑season games against UCLA and USC in Boulder before closing the season with a road game at Utah.
Coaches and players have emphasized that success will depend on splitting road games and winning three of every four home contests during conference play, a target that frames the rest of the season.
With a schedule that blends early road tests, a series of home showcases and a late‑season push, the Colorado Buffaloes are poised to build momentum as they transition from non‑conference play into the rigors of Pac‑12 competition.