Buffs hoopers to play in a game that honors a legend

A former Pac-12 school meets a new Pac-12 school in the hometown of a man who championed the conference louder than anyone.

Sports San Diego announced Wednesday the game matchups for the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, with the Colorado Buffaloes being featured in the men’s games at Pechanga Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7.

That contest will feature the Buffs against San Diego State University, while a women’s game will feature UC San Diego against the University of San Diego. Game times will be announced at a later date. It’s name is born from the UCLA legend turned NBA MVP that earned a place in the basketball Hall of Fame before turning into an iconic broadcaster.

“It’s such a privilege to be invited to play in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, which honors a true legend of our game,” said Colorado head men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle in a news release. “We’re excited for the opportunity to play an elite program like Coach Dutcher’s San Diego State Aztecs, which will be a great early season challenge for our team.”

“We’re excited to play Colorado in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic,” San Diego State men’s basketball coach Brian Dutcher said in the same news release. “Colorado is a quality program from one of the best conferences in college basketball. Bill Walton was such a San Diego icon and with Chris Walton having played for the Aztecs, this event is really a family affair for us.”

Walton, a San Diego guy, loved Boulder — chasing his beloved Dead through town and calling games for ESPN and Pac-12 Network.

It’s been a busy offseason for Boyle’s Buffs, who have added eight key players to complement returners Barrington Hargress, Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders. But the bigger story might be the nine players lost, three of whom in Isaiah Johnson, Bangot Dak and Sebastian Rancik are at other power schools.

The hoops schedule normally comes together over the summer, though this early-season contest will likely be one of the Buffs’ first few games of the 2026-27 season.

Walton was San Diego through and through, but Boulder claimed a piece of him too. Now his name brings the Buffs to his hometown, where son Chris once wore Aztec colors.