Through the ups and downs: Grading the Colorado women’s basketball season
- Mia Driscoll
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
In a season filled with injuries and inconsistencies, JR Payne’s Colorado Buffaloes were the definition of determination.
Working with a variety of lineups and incorporating transfers, freshman and veteran grad students, the Buffs had their work cut out for them in their first year back in the Big 12. CU was able to put together its fourth consecutive 20-win season and narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament.
After making the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament last year and graduating WNBA draftee Jaylyn Sherrod, the Buffs had big shoes to fill. With a total reboot of the former squad featuring 10 newcomers, Payne worked hard to get her team to a cohesive place that could compete with some of the top teams in the country.
Missing sharpshooter Frida Formann for over half of the games this season was a major obstacle for the Buffs when considering offensive firepower and floor leadership.
Active in just 17 games, Formann averaged 12.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting a career-high 44.4% from 3. Without her presence behind the arc and calm demeanor in late-game scenarios, CU was forced to look elsewhere for a bucket-getter in those instances.
Other injuries plagued the Buffs throughout the season, sidelining starting senior guard Kindyll Wetta with a concussion, forward Sara-Rose Smith with a foot injury and Jade Masogayo with an undisclosed leg injury.
Despite a multitude of setbacks, a resilient CU squad secured several impressive wins that showcased its ability to put the new pieces together when it counted.
A mid-season win over a ranked West Virginia team proved the Buffs were not to be overlooked in conference play. Led by 22 points from Formann and 18 from Masogayo, CU scored 25 in the fourth quarter to outlast the Mountaineers.
Colorado’s biggest victory was over a gritty No. 10-ranked Kansas State team. The Wildcats went on to extend their March Madness run to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to No. 1-seeded USC and were a team to look out for all season.
The Buffs maintained a disciplined plan of attack and were able to get an impressive 63-53 win in late January. CU’s defense limited KSU’s productivity and capitalized on mistakes while spreading scoring across the board.
Revealed as one of the first four teams to miss the NCAA tournament, late-season losses to the likes of Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech were pivotal.
Turnovers were a season-long struggle for the Buffs, averaging just over 18 per game. This number was addressed as an alarming statistic early on but was ultimately never able to be reigned in. Much of this came from miscommunications within a brand-new team working through drastically different lineups from game to game.
Additionally, CU struggled on the road, going just 3-9 when away from Boulder. The Buffs finished an even 9-9 in the Big 12, despite competing closely with teams that went on to finish at the top of the conference.
One of the brightest spots for CU was the emergence of Masogayo as a dynamic scorer. The 6-foot-3 junior averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting nearly 60% from the floor. After developing strength and skill while spending two seasons at Missouri State, Masogayo is well on her way to continuing CU’s winning tradition.
After upsetting Arizona in the second round of the Big 12 tournament, CU earned a No. 1 seed in the WBIT tournament and earned the opportunity to host the first round. The Buffs won their first-round matchup against Southeastern Louisiana before their season ended at the hands of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Payne’s former squad).
Overall, CU made the most of a season that many would have thrown the towel in on. Working tirelessly through rough patches and utilizing every inch of their bench, the Buffs put together a strong showing, finishing 21-13 (15-3 at home).
Grade: B
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