Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
West Virginia
Colorado Opens Big 12 Play at Home: Five Things to Know
December 20, 2024 | Women's Basketball
The Buffs take on No. 14 West Virginia on Saturday
BOULDER – The Colorado women's basketball team returns to Big 12 play on Saturday night with a showdown against No. 14 West Virginia. The Buffaloes will host the Mountaineers at the CU Events Center for the first meeting between the two programs (6 p.m. MT).
The 2024-25 season marks the Buffs' return to the Big 12, having spent the last 13 seasons playing in the Pac-12 Conference.
Colorado (9-2) closed the non-conference season with a 78-61 win over Denver. Four Buffs finished in double figures, with Ayianna Johnson and Lior Garzon leading the way with 14 points apiece. Frida Formann posted her sixth straight game in double figures, closing the game with 11.
West Virginia (10-1) enters the Big 12 season with just one loss to No. 5 Texas in the Gulf Coast Showcase. Saturday will be a reunion of sorts at the CU Events Center, with former Buff Kylee Blacksten making her return.
The Heisman Trophy will be on display in Chip's Corral located in Boedecker Gym for photos with fans at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are required to enter Chip's Corral. Fans can purchase two tickets for $12 in tribute to Travis Hunter.
Five Things to Know
- It's the Big 12 – Colorado returns to Big 12 play for the first time since the 2010-11 season. CU is 100-140 overall in the conference. The Buffs won the first-ever Big 12 Conference Tournament in 1996-97.
- Conference Openers – The Buffs went 4-9 in Pac-12 openers in the last 13 seasons. Colorado won its Pac-12 opener last year, 76-65, over No. 12 Utah. CU is 7-8 all-time in Big 12 openers, with its last win being a 64-48 win over Missouri on Jan. 9, 2010.
- Paint it Black – CU has scored 30 or more points in the paint in all 11 games and has scored 40 or more four times this season. CU had a season-high 48 points in the paint against Denver. It was the most by CU since its 54 against Drake last season in the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs are averaging 38.6 points in the paint this season.
- On Fire % - The Buffs have hit .500 from the floor in its last four games. It's the first time CU has shot .500 or higher in four consecutive games since doing so in six straight games from Dec. 6-22, 1985. CU shot a season-high .571 (36-63) against Tennessee Tech. CU is 38-3 all-time under JR Payne when shooting .500 or better.
- Windex – Colorado has outrebounded opponents in 10 games this season. The Buffs outrebounded Denver by 20 (45-25). It was CU's largest rebounding margin since 21 vs Drake last season.
Quotable
"We definitely won't be off because we don't really ever take time off. We have a team that loves their academics and wants to prioritize finishing strong. It's actually a good time during finals to have this little break. We'll take a couple of days off and get right back to it. It's a lot to prepare for any conference opponent, and West Virginia is no different. It'll be a lot of film study and preparation." – Coach Payne following the win over Denver
Thad Anderson and former Buff Kami Carmann Snyder will have the call on ESPN+.
Cory Lopez and Carol Callan will have pregame coverage starting 30 minutes before tip-off on the Colorado Radio Network.
Up Next: Jan. 1, at TCU (ESPN+/5:30 p.m. MT).
