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BOULDER, Colo. -- When Colorado coach Tad Boyle draws up Xs and Os this season, he will actually have X.Xavier Johnson, the do-everything player whos known simply as X to his teammates, returns to the court after missing last season with a torn left Achilles tendon. Hes one of four fifth-year seniors trying to lead the Buffaloes to their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in six seasons.Not just lead them there, either.Elite Eight, at least, said Johnson, whos 10 points away from becoming the 33rd player in Buffaloes history to reach the 1,000-point mark. I think we can do it, if we play together.Just dont mention such chatter in front of Boyle.If I had to describe our team in one word, it would be overrated, Boyle said. Were not consistent enough to be considered an upper-tier Pac-12 team right now. Thats today, October whatever. Were a work in progress.Under Boyle, the Buffaloes have gone from a team that rarely competed for a conference title to one thats consistently near the top. His squad was 22-12 last season and returns an experienced nucleus in seniors Josh Fortune and Wesley Gordon, along with junior George King and Dominique Collier. Not only that, but Johnson is rounding back into top form and Derrick White, a Division II All-American transfer from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, makes his black-and-gold debut.But theres also this: Replacing Josh Scott, one of the best big men in Buffs history.Can we replace his leadership? Im not sure of that right now, Boyle said. The only way to find out is when adversity hits.Gordon is raising his hand to be that quiet leader. And Johnson wants to be more of the vocal director. Hes anxious to get going after tearing his Achilles while working out in April 2015.Johnson nearly made it back before the end of last season, but decided against it because, I didnt want to go out there and half-step stuff and not play to my fullest.Things to know before Colorados season opener against Sacramento State on Nov. 11:THE TRANSFER: Boyle isnt one to typically hype up a player. With White, he made an exception.All I can say is hes worth the price of admission, Boyle said.White scored 1,912 points and had 343 assists for Colorado-Colorado Springs, before transferring to Boulder and sitting out last season. He made the switch to see what he could accomplish on the Division I level.It was hard to leave the program that did everything for me, White said. There are always doubters who say, `You cant play. You did a lot at Division II but it was Division II. Prove those doubters wrong.THE YOUNGSTERS: Colorado has five freshmen on the roster, including 6-foot-4 guard Bryce Peters out of La Puente, California. He averaged 22 points his senior year.The freshmen are certainly going to help us infuse some energy and talent, Boyle said. But how much are they going to contribute? How many minutes are they going to get? Were in a nice situation because we dont have to count on them, but whatever they give us is almost like a B-12 shot in the arm.WEIGHT & SEE: Johnson spent quite a bit of time in the weight room as he mended from his torn Achilles. He went from benching 185 pounds 12 times before his injury to 19 reps of that same weight.It helped me get into a pro body so I can play against bigger, stronger players, Johnson said.HUDDLE UP: In years past, the football team was scuffling at this point and the talk around campus turned to hoops. Not this season. The Buffs are competing for a Pac-12 title and that success on the football field inspires the basketball players.Its exciting and makes us want to do the same, said Collier, who led the team in assists and steals last season.KING OF THE CORNER: King was voted the leagues most improved player after leading the Pac-12 in 3-point percentage. He was 68 of 149 from behind the 3-point line.He is a good player. We all know that, Boyle said. Now, what does it take to become a great player? Great players make those around them better. Thats Georges challenge now. Cheap Jerseys For Sale . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Wholesale Jerseys Online . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. https://www.cheapjerseysreview.com/ .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Cheap Jersey Website . PETERSBURG, Fla. NFL Jerseys From China . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No.Rory McIlroy signed for his worst score in seven appearances at the DP World Tour Championship as he laboured to a 75 on the opening day in Dubai. McIlroy has a remarkable record in the European Tours season-ending tournament, winning twice and never finishing lower than 11th over the Earth Course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. Rory McIlroys 75 was his worst score in 29 rounds in the event The defending champion had not carded an over-par score in his previous 28 rounds, but a three-putt bogey on the first green set the tone for his day and he dropped another shot at the sixth. McIlroy short-sided himself on the short sixth as he blocked his tee shot into a greenside bunker and failed to get up and down, and he slipped to four over following a drive into the desert scrub at the 10th. McIlroy bogeyed three of the first six holes on the opening day The world No 2 finally made a moove in the right direction when he birdied the long 14th before he rolled in a 12-foot putt for another gain at the next, but he gave both shots back at the 16th after needing two attempts to hack onto the green from the edge of a water hazard.ddddddddddddMcIlroy did get another putt to drop for birdie from eight feet on the final hole but, at three over par, he trailed leader Lee Westwood by nine strokes. McIlroy had to remove his shoe and sock to splash out from the hazard at the 16th His uncertain start also left him with a monumental task to retain not only his title, but his Race to Dubai crown as well, with only a win giving him a realistic chance of overhauling Henrik Stenson.Watch the video above to see where it went wrong for McIlroy on the first day in Dubai, and dont miss our live coverage of the DP World Tour Championship on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Also See: Dubai leaderboard First round highlights All-time Dubai top shots Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '