Going into the matchup with Portland State, Colorado did not need a reminder of how well this season had begun. At 9–1, the Buffaloes were already off to one of the program’s strongest starts in recent years, building momentum through consistency rather than flash.
What they did not expect was the setting.
Due to high winds, power outages, and hazardous road conditions around Boulder, the CU Events Center was closed to the public, forcing Colorado to play without fans. The empty arena created an unusual backdrop, removing the familiar energy of a home crowd and leaving only the sounds of the game itself.
Colorado carried a two-point lead into halftime, and the game remained close for much of the second half. Without crowd noise, every possession felt magnified, and neither team was able to create sustained separation early. Execution, rather than emotion, dictated the pace.
The Buffaloes eventually pulled away behind balanced scoring and steady contributions from their bench. Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson led Colorado with 20 points in 27 minutes, providing a consistent scoring presence as the game tightened. Johnson finished 4 of 10 from the field, knocked down a three, and added three assists.
MORE: Former LSU star Livvy Dunne reveals her ambitions for the big screen
Freshman forward Alon Michaeli also made a significant impact off the bench, recording nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Michaeli’s work on the glass helped Colorado extend possessions and limit Portland State’s second-chance opportunities, particularly during key stretches of the second half.
Colorado shot 48 percent from the field and finished with 35 rebounds in the 84–73 win. The Buffaloes used depth and composure to close the game, leaning on contributions throughout the rotation rather than relying on a single scoring run.
For Portland State, the empty arena removed one of the usual challenges of playing in Boulder. For Colorado, it demanded self-generated focus, something the Buffaloes handled with control and patience.
Colorado will now travel to Phoenix to take on Stanford on Saturday.
More news:
- Shedeur Sanders makes rookie history and insists every moment came from God
- Brian Hartline sends a message to Chris Henry Jr. After choosing Ohio State
- Deion Sanders expected to lose key staff member to Group of Five school