The Colorado Buffaloes will be without point guard KJ Simpson for the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament after he contracted mono. Unless the program wins the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament without him, his season is likely over. The Buffaloes are not expected to make either the 2023 NCAA Tournament or the 2023 NIT. This season has been a tough one for Colorado after dealing with several injuries and setbacks during the year. Simpon is a key player for the team and they will likely struggle without their starting point guard.
Colorado’s KJ Simpson (illness) is OUT for this week’s Pac-12 Tournament, per a school spokesman. Averages 15.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.8 APG.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 6, 2023
Head Coach Tad Boyle released the following statement about KJ Simpson not being able to play in the tournament: “He will be out of the Pac-12 tournament, unfortunately. It’s unfortunate timing. He was devastated when he found the news, as we all were. In the grand scheme of things, it can always be worse. He’s got a great attitude. I thought he was great on the bench with his energy. KJ is going to be OK, there’s no doubt about it. And at least it’s not something that’s going to hold him off indefinitely. It’s just going to be a couple-week thing.”
This season with the Colorado Buffaloes, KJ Simpson averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He apired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 39.6 percent and a three-point percentage of 27.6 percent. While this news is not what the team wanted they will still prepare their best for the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament. Colorado is the nine seed and will take on the eight seeded Washignton Huskies on Wednesday March 8th. The winner will take on the one seeded UCLA Bruins on Thursday March 9th.
