The Colorado women’s basketball team benefited from a week-long break between games, which allowed them to enhance their skills and practices. After a demanding period where they played eight games in 22 days, the Buffaloes faced Wyoming on December 7 and then did not compete again until December 14. This time off proved beneficial, as they secured a convincing 75-55 victory against Miami (Ohio).
Week Break Enhances Colorado Women’s Basketball Skills
Head coach JR Payne expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting it as their best of the season so far. “It’s the first time in a really long time we had time to practice and focus on our game plan,” Payne stated. The focus during the previous weeks had been heavily on scouting opponents, which limited their ability to refine their own strategies.
Impact of the Week Off
- CU improved their execution in crucial areas such as transition play and on-court reads.
- The break allowed them to specifically work on their 3-point defense.
- Miami entered the game as a strong 3-point shooting team, yet managed only 5 of 26 attempts.
Throughout the game, Colorado showcased strong defensive strategies. Coach Payne emphasized successful execution of practice drills during the game, which she believes will motivate the players to maintain their improvement.
Upcoming Challenges for the Buffaloes
Looking ahead, the Buffs face Northern Colorado at home on December 19. This will be their last nonconference game of the regular season. They will then quickly transition to a Big 12 matchup against Arizona State.
Turnover management stood out as an area for improvement despite their nearly 50% shooting percentage. With a total of 20 turnovers, Payne stated that many of these mistakes are correctable. A deep roster resulted in frequent substitutions, which may have contributed to the turnover count. She plans to address this in upcoming practices.
Details for the Upcoming Game
CU Buffs Women’s Basketball vs. Northern Colorado
- Tip-off: Tuesday, 7 p.m., CU Events Center, Boulder
- TV/Radio: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
- Records: Colorado 8-3, 0-0 Big 12; UNC 8-2, 0-0 Big Sky
- Coaches: Colorado – JR Payne; UNC – Kristen Mattio
Key Players to Watch
| Colorado Players | Stats |
|---|---|
| Anaelle Dutat (F) | 9.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg |
| Logyn Greer (F) | 11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg |
| Desiree Wooten (G) | 10.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg |
With their momentum building and a solid performance behind them, the Colorado Buffaloes are looking to continue their success against Northern Colorado. The team aims to build on their defensive strengths and refine their offensive execution as they dive deeper into their season.
