Sports Writer

Pat Rooney

Pat Rooney has worked for Prairie Mountain Publishing since 2011 and has covered the Colorado Buffaloes since 2015.

Colorado receivers coach Jason Phillips during spring football practice on March 15, 2025, at the Buffaloes’ indoor practice facility in Boulder, Colo. (CU Athletics)

CU Buffs receivers coach Jason Phillips adjusting to life without NFL-bound stars

April 8, 2025 at 6:51 p.m.

If working with the new-look receiver group remains fun when the footballs start flying around for real later this summer, that will be good news for the Colorado football team.

Colorado’s RJ Smith drives under the basket around Kansas’ Hunter Dickinsen during the Big 12 game on Feb. 24, 2025.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

RJ Smith joins transfer portal exodus for CU Buffs men’s basketball

April 7, 2025 at 12:07 p.m.

Friday marked exactly one week since Tad Boyle said he didn’t expect further transfer portal departures. If that truly was the case, week two of transfer portal season has been...

Colorado’s Assane Diop gets the ball from Arizona State’s Amier Ali during the Big-12 basketball game in Boulder on Jan. 28, 2025. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Men’s basketball: Assane Diop opts for transfer portal, leaving CU Buffs

April 7, 2025 at 12:03 p.m.

Last week, prior to a surprise postseason engagement, Tad Boyle said he wasn’t expecting further transfer portal losses following the departures of Courtney Anderson and Harrison Carrington.

Colorado's Javon Ruffin, left, defends Houston's Mylik Wilson during the Big 12 Conference tournament quarterfinals Thursday in Kansas City, Mo. (Denny Medley/Big 12 Conference)

Men’s basketball: CU Buﬀs fight the good fight, but season ends against No. 2 Houston

March 14, 2025 at 9:06 a.m.

Houston is trying to prove it’s the best team in the nation, and CU learned why.

The Colorado Buffaloes and West Virginia Mountaineers compete during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 12, 2025.
(Denny MedleyBig 12 Conference)

Still alive: CU Buffs dominate second half to rally past West Virginia at Big 12 tourney

March 12, 2025 at 6:35 p.m.

In a season marked by far more lowlights than highlights, the Colorado men’s basketball team is putting together a few thrills at the end.

Colorado’s Javon Ruffin, right, drives against TCU during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 11, 2025. (Denny MedleyBig 12 Conference)

Postseason push: Last-seeded CU Buffs men’s basketball upsets TCU at Big 12 tournament

March 11, 2025 at 5:38 p.m.

Barring a miracle run through the postseason, the Colorado men’s basketball team is destined for a 20-loss season. The Buffaloes, however, are hoping to delay that fate as long as...

Colorado’s Trevor Baskin goes to the basket on Texas Christian’s David Punch during the Big-12 game in Boulder on March 8, 2025.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Men’s basketball: CU Buffs celebrate Senior Day by topping TCU in regular season finale

March 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

The season won’t be recalled as one full of fond memories for the Colorado men’s basketball team.

Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams (5) attempts to guard Colorado guard Javon Ruffin (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)

Men’s basketball: No. 9 Texas Tech rolls past CU Buffs

March 5, 2025 at 9:51 p.m.

Colorado’s 3-point defense is, well, not good.

Colorado’s Bangot Dak tries to knock the ball from Kansas’ Rylan Griffen during the Big 12 game on Feb. 24, 2025.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Men’s basketball: Bangot Dak continues upward ascension for CU Buffs

February 25, 2025 at 8:15 p.m.

Bangot Dak is growing up before the eyes of Buffs fans that haven’t had much else to cheer about this season.

Men’s basketball: Kansas holds off CU Buffs upset bid

February 25, 2025 at 10:07 a.m.

In a season that has included a historic losing streak and a swift exit from the competition for a postseason berth, the Buffaloes have refused to pack it in.

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