Buffaloes Announce 2021-22 Nonconference Schedule

BOULDER - Three NCAA Tournament teams and five-star caliber players are set to visit Boulder during the 2021-22 University of Colorado men's basketball nonconference schedule, head coach Tad Boyle announced on Monday.

Kansas, Tennessee and reigning Big Sky Conference Tournament Champion Eastern Washington headline Colorado's slate of eight home games during the nonconference schedule.

Colorado's game against Tennessee, set for Saturday, Dec. 4, follows the Buffaloes' two early season Pac-12 Conference contests against Stanford (Sunday, Nov. 28) and at UCLA (Wednesday, Dec. 1), beginning a five-game December home stand. Eastern Washington will be up next on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

The Kansas game, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21, wraps up the nonconference schedule, serving as a final tune-up for the remaining Pac-12 schedule which will tip-off a little more than a week later.

An intriguing matchup is sandwiched between the three NCAA Tournament teams as Milwaukee, out of the Horizon League, visits Boulder on Friday, Dec. 10. The Panthers will feature McDonald's All-American Patrick Baldwin, Jr., a 6-10 forward, rated as the No. 4 player nationally in the class of 2021 by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.

"It's a terrific nonconference schedule that will prepare us for Pac-12 play," Boyle said. "It will be a great test for our young team.

"Fans may not think (Milwaukee) is a big game, but they have a future first round draft pick in their program; a different player. In November and December, you're going to see some good basketball teams and good basketball players (at the Events Center)."

The Buffaloes will host Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Dec. 18, leading up to the game with Kansas.

Colorado will open its season with home games against Montana State (Tuesday, Nov. 9), New Mexico (Saturday, Nov. 13) and Maine (Monday, Nov. 15) before embarking on the lone road trip of the nonconference schedule. As previously announced, Colorado will participate in the 2021 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, Nov. 19-22, in St. Thomas. The Buffaloes will have three games at the Paradise Jam, beginning with Southern Illinois on Friday, Nov. 19.

Times and television for all games will be announced later this summer along with the remainder of the Pac-12 schedule.

Monday's schedule reveal comes on the heels of CU Athletics announcing earlier in the day that it will return to 100 percent capacity for home events in 2021-22.

"The thing that our players are looking forward to the most is seeing fans back in the Events Center," Boyle said. "Fans are going to be treated to a very exciting team with some veterans and newcomers with a lot of talent."

Colorado men's basketball season tickets are on sale now, starting at $240 for reserved bench seating. Renewals are underway for current season ticket holders with a deadline of July 16.

Those looking to purchase online can visit CUBuffs.com/tickets to leave a deposit at this time with a follow up from a member of the CU Athletic Ticket Office sales team. For more information on purchasing season tickets call 303-492-8282.