It’s bad enough when a promising player transfers. It’s even worse when that player was clearly supported and encouraged by the coaching staff and given every chance to succeed, but still leaves. Then imagine how much worse it is for a program when that player — who was given so much encouragement — not only bolts, but goes to the school’s most immediate and direct rival and geographical neighbor within a conference.
That is exactly what has happened with Lawson Lovering, a big man who transferred from Colorado and decided to go to Utah to play for Craig Smith and the Utes. CU doesn’t just lose a player; it loses that player to a rival within the Pac-12.
Buffaloes Wire had more to say.
“Lovering was a four-star recruit coming out of Cheyenne Central High School but struggled on offense during his two years in Boulder,” Jack Carlough wrote. “Junior Nique Clifford and redshirt freshman Quincy Allen have also entered the transfer portal but have yet to commit elsewhere. With Lovering, Utah has now found its replacement for two-time All-Pac-12 center Branden Carlson.”
The details beyond the transfer itself paint a picture of a player who was profoundly dissatisfied with his situation despite receiving ample support and encouragement from the Colorado coaching staff:
Actually feel for Tad here. He invested in him for 2 years, talked him up more than any player I can remember, seemingly going out of his way to praise him, and goes there? Can’t imagine what Tad thinks of that given he was still upset about it days after he jumped in the portal.
— Vic Victory (@col_rado) March 26, 2023
Ding. Ding. Ding.
— William Whelan (@William_Whelan) March 26, 2023
Lovering played well against USC last season, though not when Vince Iwuchukwu was able to play extended minutes. It will be fascinating to see how he fits with Utah, especially when the Utes play the Trojans in 2024.
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