Colorado football coach Deion Sanders was sitting courtside at the CU Events Center in Boulder as their basketball counterparts welcomed Bronny James and USC on Saturday.
Coach Prime was spotted chatting with UC athletic director Rick George in the first half before being acknowledged by the broadcast team in the second.
The clash with the Buffaloes saw James make his first start for the Trojans. Unfortunately, the star freshman had an uneventful outing in which he failed to get on the scoreboard.
James failed to convert all seven attempts from the field as the shorthanded USC fell, 68-58, to their hosts.
In a game where he played a season-high 25 minutes, James tallied two rebounds and assists but was held 0-for-3 from three point territory.
James made his first start for the USC Trojans but unfortunately went 0-for-7 from the field
James, the Lakers star’s junior, got the nod from coach Andy Enfield out of necessity with starters Joshua Morgan, Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier sidelined by injuries.
Despite James’ struggles, USC got off to a good start and secured a 37-24 lead at the intermission. However, Colorado came out swinging in the second frame behind J’Vonne Hadley’s 15 points to secure the win.
The Buffaloes’ defense also supplemented their offense as they held USC to 21 points in the second half.
Sanders took over Colorado’s football program last season and brought the limelight to Boulder.
Despite finishing with a 4-8 record, Sanders made Colorado the team to watch as celebrities flooded games and a docuseries was produced following his first year in charge of the team.
Sanders took over Colorado’s football program last year and brought lots more eyes to Boulder.
James got the nod from coach Andy Enfield with three of his starters sidelined by injuries .
James tallied two rebounds and an assist in USC’s losing effort after leading 37-24 at halftime .
Coach Prime was also named Sports Illustrated’s Sports Person of the Year for bringing a spark back to the program.
Colorado’s basketball team currently ranks seventh in the Pac 12 with a 12-5 record.
On the other hand, Saturday’s loss saw USC drop to 8-9 as they sit ninth in the conference.
James made his collegiate debut on December 10, four months after suffering a cardiac arrest from a congenital heart defect.
He has since averaged 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 34.8 per cent from the field.