It’s early Wednesday morning, and the Colorado men’s basketball team is going through a round of intrasquad scrimmaging. Between the two teams, black jerseys emerge as the dominant force, with gold huddling up every so often to regroup and strategize. Head and shoulders above the huddle stands Ben Mills, the Buffs’ resident 7-footer. He patiently listens to his teammates, whom we dwarfs in both height and experience at the collegiate level.
The huddle breaks and play resumes, gold this time prevailing on a contested jump shot. High fives are exchanged and Mills once again rallies the troops.
Junior center Ben Mills puts up a shot in over a Hartford defender in this file photo from Dec. 29, 2012. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)
Just call him General Mills.
After his first three years with the Buffs, during which Mills has played for a Pac-12 Tournament championship and two NCAA Tournament teams, in his eyes the best is yet to come. Mills is on the verge of his senior year and looking to make it one to remember.
“Every year since [2010] we’ve progressed,” Mills said. “Hopefully this will be the best one.”
Indeed Mills has been a part of some serious progression for the Buffs, starting with the 2010-11 season. It was not only his first season, but also that of Head Coach Tad Boyle and would-be NBA first-round draft pick Andre Roberson. Since that season, in which the Buffs closed out the year with an appearance in the NIT tournament, the team has seen its stock rise significantly. This year they look to make another step forward, ranked among the top teams in the Pac-12.
“I want to have the best year I’ve had since I’ve been here, go as far as we can in the NCAA tournament and just have fun doing it,” Mills said.
A point of emphasis for this year’s team is maturity, which Mills said is frequently discussed.
“We’ve definitely talked about how we need to finish games no matter who it is,” said Mills. “Any situation we’ve just got to always be ready and go until the final buzzer.”
With a number of younger players looking to be key parts of this season’s team, though, it’s invaluable for leaders to arise who can expound experience and motivation. Look no further than Ben Mills, the Buffs’ only senior who has spent his entire career at CU.
Senior center Ben Mills looks to pass at the men’s basketball practice, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, in the Coors Events Center. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)
Mills noted the youth of the 2013-14 team.
“I try to step in and fill in with the coaches, tell them what the coaches want and lead in that way,” he said.
In regard to the new players, Mills said there’s reason for excitement over their potential. They all have the competitive edge, he said, of last year’s freshman standout players Josh Scott and Xavier Johnson.
“They look ready to go and we’re ready for them to play.”
Mills also identified Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie, both returning junior guards, as “definitely two of our biggest leaders.”
“We’re going to need them to be big this year,” Mills said. “To step up and lead.”
Among his notable achievements, one that will stand out to a lot of Buffs fans is last year’s Mills Shake. When asked if there’s a follow up performance on the way, Mills replied, “If something comes up I’m ready for it, it was fun.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.
