Andrew Crawford might be the next in line among homegrown recruits that star for the Colorado men’s basketball season.

But Crawford’s breakout will wait for another year.

As the Buffaloes returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since Monday’s season-opening 76-56 win against Eastern Washington, head coach Tad Boyle confirmed that Crawford is planning to take a redshirt season this year with an eye on his long-term development to help the Buffs down the road.

Crawford, a Littleton native who starred at ThunderRidge High School, was the only scholarship player who didn’t play during Monday’s win.

“Andrew and I have talked. He decided he wants to redshirt,” Boyle said. “We’ve done this in the past with multiple players. I think it’s a really mature decision on his part. Really what it comes down to is trading your freshman year when you’re going to get spot minutes for a fifth year on the back end when you can hopefully be playing 30 to 35 minutes a game as a fifth-year senior.”

A consensus four-star prospect who led ThunderRidge to three state title game appearances, the 6-foot-6 Crawford was facing a logjam in the backcourt in terms of potential playing time. If they remain healthy, Julian Hammond III, Javon Ruffin and RJ Smith are likely locks for the rotation. The Buffs also have true freshman Felix Kossaras and redshirt freshman Courtney Anderson as backcourt options.

Boyle hinted that plan could change if a rash of injuries strikes, but it probably will take an unlikely series of events to see Crawford in action this season. Anderson never shed his redshirt last season, even though the Buffs began the year without Ruffin, ended it without Hammond, and in between lost Smith for the season after just seven games.

“A lot of guys don’t want to do it,” Boyle said. “It’s got to be a buy-in for the player. As a coach, when I sat down and talked to him and let him know, hey, here’s kind of where I see you today. Now, if crazy stuff happens early this season that might happen like happened last year, it’s always open for discussion. Now, we get into January, February, I probably won’t do that.

“But he’s got to come to practice every day still playing in practice like it’s his games. He decided that’s what he wants to do, and I think it’s a good decision, big picture-wise. Andrew is going to be a great player here.”

Mixed reviews

Bangot Dak was stoked to make his first start for the Buffs. He wasn’t as excited to be on the bench to start the second half against Eastern Washington.

After no points and three turnovers in the first half, Boyle opted to keep Dak and fellow starter Julian Hammond III (four turnovers, no assists in the first half) on the bench after halftime. Dak played less than five minutes the rest of the way, but he went 2-for-3 with a 3-pointer without committing another turnover.

“It felt good. Finally got to go out there against someone else in a bigger atmosphere,” Dak said. “I felt like it was good for our team. We’ve just got to play better, that’s it. I’d definitely say we were sped up. We were trying to do too much, too early. We didn’t expect them to come out with that intensity I feel like defensively. Which our coach told us they would, so that’s on us. We’ve just got to be a little more prepared for the start of games.”

Notable

Former Buff KJ Simpson made his NBA debut for Charlotte on Monday night, scoring his first career points on a putback basket during a loss against Minnesota. … With Monday’s win, CU improved to 96-8 in nonconference home games under Boyle. … The Buffs host Northern Colorado on Friday (7 p.m., ESPN+).