BOULDER — Tad Boyle caught himself looking ahead one too many times.

After Colorado beat Utah by a score of 85-73 on Wednesday night at the CU Events Center, the Buffaloes’ coach had already turned the page less than a half hour after the final buzzer sounded.

Maybe it’s because he knows what’s coming on Saturday evening when the No. 14-ranked Red Raiders visit (5 p.m. CBS Sports Network). Maybe he just expects this year’s team to take care of business against certain teams in the Big 12.

“I’m probably talking too much about Texas Tech right now, we just gotta enjoy (the win over) Utah,” Boyle said with a laugh.

The Buffs have plenty of reason to celebrate, too. After back-to-back disappointing losses to close nonconference play, they’re 2-0 in Big 12 play after the wins at Arizona State and now against Utah at home.

Last season, CU’s second Big 12 win didn’t come until Feb. 22. 

This revamped roster filled with youth has a ceiling that last year’s group simply didn’t and Boyle believes they’ve come nowhere close to reaching it in the midst of what is a 12-3 start to the season overall. They just have to start turning in 40-minute performances every time they take the floor.

“I feel like the ceiling of this team continues to be higher than where we’re playing,” Boyle said. “If we can get there, we can beat anybody in this league. But if we don’t it’s gonna be more difficult against the bigger, stronger, more athletic teams. Texas Tech, they’re legit.”

Yes, they are.

But so too, maybe is this deep CU squad.

Nine players saw the floor Wednesday night and they all played 14 minutes or more. Only Sebastian Rancik, who led the team with 19 points, and Barrington Hargress played over 30 minutes.

The Buffs also got 33 points from the bench, again outscoring their opponent in that category. 

There might not be a player on this team that can go off for 40 points on a given night, but there’s also two or three players not in the rotation that Boyle trusts and there’s a balance to the nine-man rotation he is using that makes sense.

“I’ve got confidence in every single one of our guys, and I’ve got confidence in guys that aren’t playing,” Boyle said. “The skill sets of the different players on this team do complement each other. Defensive lineups, we’ve got those. Offensive lineups, we’ve got those. I’d like to get to a lineup where we’re really good at both.”

That’s the challenge — putting it all together.

Yes, the 2-0 start in Big 12 play is nice. But now, the hard part of the schedule begins. It’s not just Texas Tech. Ranked Kansas and Central Florida teams also visit Boulder this month.

This young Buffs team is going to have to grow up quickly, but Boyle believes they can and he wants you to come see it firsthand.

“Come to watch the Buffs because the Buffs are worth watching this year,” Boyle said. “This young group is special. We’ve got to play well and give them a reason to get out of their seats and cheer. There’s no reason why we can’t make this like any other venue in the Big 12.”

GAME RECAP

Colorado 85, Utah 73

What happened: The Buffaloes (12-3, 2-0 Big 12) took care of business against the Utes (8-7, 0-2) to remain unbeaten to start Big 12 play. It’s the first time in two seasons that CU has won back-to-back games to begin conference play and the first time since the 2010-11 season that the Buffs have started 2-0 in the Big 12. Four players scored in double figures. 

Star of the night: CU junior forward Bangot Dak registered his fourth double-double of the season and his second straight with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He was efficient everywhere on the floor, shooting 6 for 12 from the field and 2 for 3 from 3-point range, while also grabbing four important offensive rebounds. 

Quotable: “I showed I can do it, I just have to keep doing it consistently. When I keep doing it consistently, that’s when I’ve taken it to another level, but until then I’m just gonna go out there and keep trying to get every rebound (that comes) my way.” — Dak

Up next: The Buffs remain at home to take on No. 14 Texas Tech on Saturday (5 p.m. CBS Sports Network).