Colorado University Athletics
Thursday, December 21
Boulder, Colo.
12:00 PM
Colorado
vs
Northern Colorado
Photo by: Serena Rodriguez
No. 8 Buffs Return to Action
December 20, 2023 | Women's Basketball
CU hosts Northern Colorado on Thursday
BOULDER – The eighth-ranked Colorado women's basketball team returns from its unique in-season break when it closes out the non-conference season against Northern Colorado at the CU Events Center on Thursday.
The matchup against the Bears will be CU's first game since their 95-74 win over UT Arlington on Dec. 5.
Colorado took some time off after the win over the Mavericks but still kept basketball at the forefront. CU used the practice time to reset and focus on the team instead of using the time to insert a game plan and scout the opposition.
"I think the most important thing for us was to be able to rest, recover and sort of hit the reset button and feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the season," head coach JR Payne expressed. "I think that's an area that we've obviously really worked on while maintaining our conditioning levels and things like that. We also reprioritized the basics. Everything we've done the last couple of weeks has been sort of foundational basic things. Nothing new or fancy or special we're just trying to be better at doing our jobs."
The Buffs had been going at a rapid rate to start the season, starting with No. 1 LSU in Las Vegas. CU crammed its first 10 games into 30 days, including playing three Power 5 opponents in three consecutive days at the Paradise Jam Classic. The team has been on the road for the majority of the season, having only played four games in Boulder.
"It's been really important for us to take our eyes off scouting opponents and put them more on ourselves the past 10 days or so," Payne added. "You just don't get that opportunity very often, especially in the middle of the season. I think that we're better because of it. We're certainly excited to play again and get back to a more normal schedule, but that's been good for us."
Colorado's offense has been a big part of the team's early success this season. The Buffs, widely known for their defensive play, have scored 80 points or more in seven games this season. CU has tallied 90 points in four games, marking the most since seven games in the 2000-01 season. All 10 games this season have been decided by 10 or more points, with CU totaling three wins of 30 points or better.
The Buffs rank 15th in the NCAA with 84.6 points per game this season and have four players in Frida Formann (15.9), Aaronette Vonleh (15.3), Jaylyn Sherrod (12.7) and Quay Miller (10.4) averaging double-figure scoring.
"I think it's sort of a product of comfortability within the offensive system that we're running, having a lot of experience, having a good balance – I think is the main thing and then having point guards that can distribute and set each other up," Payne described. "Also, just having an unselfish group really helps. Everybody is happy to make the next pass or make the right basketball play and nobody really tries to force anything. I think that leads to better offensive production and scoring."
Colorado (9-1) owns a 13-6 record against the Bears. The Buffs have won the last 10 meetings. Thursday will be the first meeting between the two in-state rivals since CU's 77-69 win in 2018. UNC is 4-4 this season, having won two of its last three games.
Tip off is set for noon MT. Jenny Cavnar and former Buff Ariana (Freeman) Prather will have the call on the Pac-12 Network. Cory Lopez and Carol Callan will have pregame coverage on the Colorado Radio Network starting at 11:30.
Thursday is the team's Holiday Game. Santa Chip will be in the arena and fans will receive an ugly sweater t-shirt while supplies last.
The matchup against the Bears will be CU's first game since their 95-74 win over UT Arlington on Dec. 5.
Colorado took some time off after the win over the Mavericks but still kept basketball at the forefront. CU used the practice time to reset and focus on the team instead of using the time to insert a game plan and scout the opposition.
"I think the most important thing for us was to be able to rest, recover and sort of hit the reset button and feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the season," head coach JR Payne expressed. "I think that's an area that we've obviously really worked on while maintaining our conditioning levels and things like that. We also reprioritized the basics. Everything we've done the last couple of weeks has been sort of foundational basic things. Nothing new or fancy or special we're just trying to be better at doing our jobs."
The Buffs had been going at a rapid rate to start the season, starting with No. 1 LSU in Las Vegas. CU crammed its first 10 games into 30 days, including playing three Power 5 opponents in three consecutive days at the Paradise Jam Classic. The team has been on the road for the majority of the season, having only played four games in Boulder.
"It's been really important for us to take our eyes off scouting opponents and put them more on ourselves the past 10 days or so," Payne added. "You just don't get that opportunity very often, especially in the middle of the season. I think that we're better because of it. We're certainly excited to play again and get back to a more normal schedule, but that's been good for us."
Colorado's offense has been a big part of the team's early success this season. The Buffs, widely known for their defensive play, have scored 80 points or more in seven games this season. CU has tallied 90 points in four games, marking the most since seven games in the 2000-01 season. All 10 games this season have been decided by 10 or more points, with CU totaling three wins of 30 points or better.
The Buffs rank 15th in the NCAA with 84.6 points per game this season and have four players in Frida Formann (15.9), Aaronette Vonleh (15.3), Jaylyn Sherrod (12.7) and Quay Miller (10.4) averaging double-figure scoring.
"I think it's sort of a product of comfortability within the offensive system that we're running, having a lot of experience, having a good balance – I think is the main thing and then having point guards that can distribute and set each other up," Payne described. "Also, just having an unselfish group really helps. Everybody is happy to make the next pass or make the right basketball play and nobody really tries to force anything. I think that leads to better offensive production and scoring."
Colorado (9-1) owns a 13-6 record against the Bears. The Buffs have won the last 10 meetings. Thursday will be the first meeting between the two in-state rivals since CU's 77-69 win in 2018. UNC is 4-4 this season, having won two of its last three games.
Tip off is set for noon MT. Jenny Cavnar and former Buff Ariana (Freeman) Prather will have the call on the Pac-12 Network. Cory Lopez and Carol Callan will have pregame coverage on the Colorado Radio Network starting at 11:30.
Thursday is the team's Holiday Game. Santa Chip will be in the arena and fans will receive an ugly sweater t-shirt while supplies last.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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