Anytime you have to go on the road against a powerhouse, it is normal to expect some hiccups.

For the Colorado Buffaloes, they seemed to have an endless stretch of hiccups in a 56-47 road loss to No. 12 Tennessee

It was a tough offensive outing that saw them hit just 33% of their shots from the field, including 23% from deep. In a game that saw both teams struggle at times offensively, the Buffs remained within striking distance for the majority of the game.

Despite creating pooortunities to get back into the game, Colorado was unable to take a lead.

Another game, another slow start

While the sample size is still small, there is reason to be concerned about the Buffs’ slow offensive starts.

In all three games thus far, the Buffs have begun their games slowly, including facing a double-digit deficit in their last two. Tonight, Colorado fell behind 17-2 in a stretch that saw just one made basket and several turnovers.

In short, the Buffs did not have their best outing tonight. Not by a long shot.

However, in games past, McKinley Wright has been able to spark a comeback. He entered tonight averaging over 22 points per game. Tonight, he mustered just eight points and eight shots as the Vols were able to neutralize his dribble-drives and transition scoring.

Without Wright’s offensive lift, Colorado fell into some bad habits quickly. They were forcing things. They were unable to generate good shot looks and were turning the ball over at an alarming rate.

With that, how do the Buffs fix these slow starts, and get back in the win column?

Well, it begins with the turnovers. 23 is too many for a normal game, let alone against the 12th-ranked team in the country.

While some turnovers were created by Tennessee’s suffocating defense, others were caused because Colorado was forcing too many plays. The team looked slow tonight in more ways than one, and oftentimes players were stagnant around the arc.

Without any major movement or backdoor cuts, Tennessee could focus on the simple screens at the top of the key, trap the Buffs, and force the turnovers.

Again, this is not to take anything away from what the Volunteers did tonight. They played tremendous defensive basketball. And they exposed ways to limit McKinley Wright and slow down this potentially explosive offensive.

Colorado has some easier games next to build their confidence back, but hopefully, tonight serves as a wake-up call and not as a sign of things to come.

The talent is there; the identity is not

The problem facing the Colorado Buffaloes right now is not their talent level. 

The problem facing the Colorado Buffaloes is they do not yet know how to best incorporate their talent.

For a team returning most of its roster, it is understandable to expect the majority of their chemistry to carry over from last season. However, with new players in some key roles, the team is still finding out who it is.

These main new players are Keeshawn Barthelemy, Jeriah Horne, and Jabari Walker. All three bring unique skills to the table, and they raise the ceiling on the Buffs’ ability. However, how to create a cohesive lineup involving these three – as well as the returning veterans – is a problem Tad Boyle has yet to solve.

In time, the rotation will see tweaks that can solve this problem. For example, Jabari Walker has been playing tremendous basketball and provides an energetic spark when he enters the game. This is a spark that the Buffs should be using more often.

In short, lack of talent is not the problem. Colorado has the guys who can make plays, it is just up to Tad Boyle to find the best matches that turn CU into a top-tier Pac-12 team.

And there is nothing to suggest that Boyle will not be able to solve this puzzle.