Ian Inman, a freshman wing player, is poised to make an impact for the Colorado men's basketball team. With the season's midpoint already passed, the team is gearing up for a crucial early test against Grace College, a former home of CU's sixth-year senior center, Elijah Malone. As the team prepares for its 16th season under coach Tad Boyle, Inman and his six fellow freshmen are navigating the typical challenges of the Division I game, balancing athletics with academics, and managing the expectations of playing in a power conference. However, Inman's primary focus is on defense, a key aspect of Boyle's coaching philosophy. Inman acknowledges the importance of off-ball defense, being in the right position, and jumping to the ball, all of which are essential for winning games in college basketball. While Inman is still developing defensively, his long-range shooting ability could provide an immediate boost to the team, which struggled from the 3-point line last year, ranking 15th in the Big 12 with a .321 mark. The graduation of Julian Hammond III and RJ Smith's transfer to DePaul have left a significant void along the perimeter, making Inman's shooting touch a crucial factor in his initial role in the rotation. Coach Boyle praises Inman's knock-down shooting ability, noting that he was a known shooter when recruited from Texas. Despite his growing pains, Inman's mental toughness and ability to shoot the ball at a high level make him a valuable asset for the team, and his teammates are learning to trust him defensively.
