One is a senior, a player who is doing his best to maximize court time that has dropped appreciably this season.
The other is a freshman who frequently displays the virtues of a player who is becoming a quick study at the Division I level, yet makes just enough mistakes to remind everyone he remains a rookie.
Together, Xavier Talton and Thomas Akyazili have created a solid backup tandem behind starting point guard Dom Collier for the Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team — a combined role that will remain a critical ingredient as the Buffs chase a potential NCAA tournament berth as Pac-12 Conference play begins at Cal on New Year's Day.