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Games thread- WOMEN'S BBall hosts #19 Iowa State (Wed., 1/14/25, 7:00 PM MT. ESPN+) & visits UCF (Sunday, Noon MT, ESPN+)

AztecBuff

AztecBuff

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CU Women's basketball (11-6 overall, 2-3 in the Big 12), has home and away games scheduled for this week. 1st off they host the #19 ranked Iowa State Cyclones (ISU; 14-3, 2-3) tomorrow (Wednesday) night, and then hit the road for a Sunday matinee matchup with the Univ. of Central Florida Knights (UCF; 9-7, 1-4).

As is scheduled throughout the season for home and conference road games, all games are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+ for those with a premium ($) subscription to that service. (Further info and links for media options available near the bottom of this post.)

Go Buffs!!!

(Information for those attending the game(s):
Buff parking and transportation info - https://www.colorado.edu/pts/special-events/basketball#:~:text=Basketball Parking Map-,Public Parking,436 (based on availability.)
Parking map - https://www.colorado.edu/pts/sites/default/files/attached-files/basketball_parking_map.pdf
CU Events Center Information and Policies (Includes list of permitted and prohibited items) - https://cubuffs.com/sports/2003/8/16/events-center-policies )

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Links with more more info on the opponents:

ISU :
Roster - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster
Stats - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26
Schedule - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
Their preview article - Not available as I type this.

UCF :
Roster - https://ucfknights.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster
Stats - https://ucfknights.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats
Schedule - https://ucfknights.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
Their preview article - Not available as I type this.
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Media links:

Live Video: The games are scheduled to be available on (the usual) ESPN+ premium ($) subscription service, with streams available on the ESPN app and at:
ISU - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/5dca8d34-e885-411a-a944-f9459b63d6b0
UCF - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/c8df6262-ceb2-4982-a168-8972329e212c

Live audio: If like last season, the games will usually be available on AM 630 in the Denver/ Boulder area and maybe other stations in the Buff radio network. In addition, free audio streams for the games will be available at:
ISU - https://cubuffs.com/watch/?Live=3139&type=Live
UCF - https://cubuffs.com/watch/?Live=3140&type=Live


Link to link to live stats (All games) - http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=colo .
For these particular games:
ISU - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=617011
UCF - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=620738&vislive=colo


Game notes: (Note- Left empty for games that don't have any as I type this.) -
ISU - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2026/1/12/WBB_2026-1-14_Game_Notes.pdf
UCF - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2026/1/16/WBB_2026-1-18_Game_Notes.pdf
 
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Preview for tomorrow's game - https://cubuffs.com/news/2026/1/12/womens-basketball-colorado-hosts-no-19-iowa-state

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Colorado Hosts No. 19 Iowa State​

By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

GAME #18 • Wednesday, January 14 • 7 p.m. MT
CU Events Center, Boulder, Colo.
Colorado (11-6, 2-3 Big 12) vs. No. 19 Iowa State (14-3, 2-3 Big 12)
TIP: 7:02 p.m. MT
WATCH: ESPN+ (Thad Anderson, Kami Carmann) https://bit.ly/4jxVI04
RADIO: Colorado Radio Network, 'Denver's Talk Station' AM 630 KHOW (Cory Lopez, Carol Callan)
LISTEN ONLINE: Sirius XM 84, and on the SiriusXM App, or at https://buffs.me/4shh5GY
LIVE STATISTICS:https://buffs.me/4bvU7Gb
SERIES RECORD: CU Leads, 37-31 (.544)
LAST MEETING: L, 86-56 (February 8, 2025 • Ames, Iowa)
STREAK: Lost 2 • LAST 10 MEETINGS: 1-9

BOULDER – The Colorado women's basketball team (11-6, 2-3 Big 12) returns home this week for a game against No. 19 Iowa State (14-3, 2-3 Big 12) on Jan. 14 at CU Events Center at 7 p.m. MT.

The Buffs will face the Cyclones for the 69th time in program history and look for their first win over ISU since returning to the Big 12. This will be CU's first time playing Iowa State at home since 2011, when the Buffs won, 66-60, in overtime (Jan. 15). Colorado last met ISU in Ames, Iowa, last season and fell, 86-56 (Feb. 8, 2025).

Last week, the Buffs lost to then-No. 16 Baylor and Oklahoma State on the road. Colorado went toe-to-toe with the Bears and the Cowgirls – getting within two points in the final seconds against BU and holding the lead for much of the fourth quarter at OSU. The Buffs struggled to secure a bucket late at Baylor, dropping the game 56-52 (Jan. 8). Foul trouble and back-to-back threes from the Cowgirls sent them on a late run to take the game, 63-56 (Jan. 11).
...

ROAM WITH THE BUFFS: The Buffs' game against No. 19 Baylor will be streamed on ESPN+. The Buffs are on the radio via the CUBuffs.com website and Varsity app for every game. The pregame show, Buffs Warm-up, starts a half-hour before tip and includes a pregame interview with Coach Payne. At halftime, stay tuned for a get-to-know interview with players and coaches. Colorado broadcasts on the iHeart Radio station, 'Denver's Talk Station' AM 630 KHOW. Available on the Varsity app. Fans can also follow Colorado games through live stats with links available at CUBuffs.com.
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There was also a feature article posted on Aussie frosh Jade Crooks - https://cubuffs.com/news/2026/1/13/womens-basketball-newcomer-spotlight-series-jade-crook

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Newcomer Spotlight Series: Jade Crook​

By: Macy Mohlenkamp, Athletic Communications Associate

BOULDER - The Colorado Women's Basketball team added 10 new players to the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. In order to get to know them all a little better, we're introducing the Newcomer Spotlight Series to highlight the five freshmen and five transfers on our squad.

Next up is freshman center Jade Crook.

You grew up in the same county and played with Lauren Jackson. What was it like to have her there as a mentor for you?
It was a really big part of my development. I grew up in Albury. I moved there at the start of high school, and then was lucky enough to be part of the NBL1 team with them. And then she was coming back out of retirement around the same time, which was really, really lucky, and I got to play against her. I took a development year before I was able to play properly in the NBL1. And she was just a great mentor to me. She's obviously an amazing player. I fangirled [over] her the whole year. She just taught me a lot about different ways of playing in the post and showed me what was possible as well.

Did you play any other sports growing up?
No, I played netball for like one season, but I didn't really like it that much. But no, I really stuck with basketball. My dad used to play when he was younger, and he used to just take me in the backyard, and we used to play together. I have always just fallen in love with basketball, so I haven't really ever had too much interest in anything else.
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And, an update on CU's, and this week's opponents, places in the various ratings (current as I type this):

(1) In the NET rankings (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-women/d1/ncaa-womens-basketball-net-rankings), CU is at #58 (up from #63), ISU #31 and UCF #133.
(2) From what I found via a QUICK Google search, another component is Strength of Record. Per the search, one of the resources available to the public for this is Warren Nolan's SofS ratings (I chose based on NET option; available at https://www.warrennolan.com/basketballw/2025/sos-net). As I type this, CU is at #53 (unchanged from last week), ISU #37 and UCF #46.
(3) KPI (the Kevin Pauga Index, as of 12/24; https://faktorsports.com/) is another rating used by the Selection Committee. In that, CU is at #52 (From #53 a couple weeks ago), ISU #46 and UCF #122.(The website wasn't working as I type this.)
(4) Finally, in the Massey ratings ( https://masseyratings.com/cbw/ncaa-d1/ratings), CU is at #49 (unchanged from last week),ISU #26 and UCF #113.
 
If you can, please go watch this game. Right now, they have a opportunity to beat Iowa State. Two starters, a forward and a guard are out with injuries, and they have lost every game since Baylor beat them. The team can't figure out how to get the ball to Crooks and the other players have not had to score this season. Their bench is not deep and it shows.

Iowa State should have dropped out of the rankings after losing 3 straight. Several coaches called that out on Twitter. Crooks' back is bothering her. This is the time to knock them off and get a win over a ranked team.

Go Buffs!
 
Not only were we in this, we won this!!!! Buffs beat Iowa State 68-62.

They can't overcome the loss of the two starters. Cyclones had no bench to take their place.

Tabitha Benson had herself a great game as did Desiree Wooten.

Crooks still got her double double but she didn't score 30 points like she has done earlier in the season.

Ever since Iowa State hired Bill Fennelly and got his own players, Iowa State was no longer an easy W. It had been an easy W for years before he came on.

Proud of this team, even if we can't shoot 3's. We play good defense.
 
Media after last night's W:

Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2026/1/14/...-storm-colorado-upsets-no-19-iowa-state-68-62

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Buffaloes Brave the Storm, Colorado Upsets No. 19 Iowa State, 68-62​

By: Macy Mohlenkamp, Athletic Communications Associate

BOULDER – The Colorado women's basketball team (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) defeated No. 19 Iowa State (14-4, 2-4 Big 12), 68-62, at the CU Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

The Buffaloes upset the Cyclones in a close battle. With one second left in the first quarter, junior guard Desiree Wooten made a three-point jumper, bringing the Buffs within three of the Cyclones. The Black and Gold headed into the half down by four but came back to end the third quarter tied, 42-42. Colorado had an explosive fourth quarter, ending the game, 68-62 (CU).

"Any coach would just be so proud of [our] growth, from one weekend to the next weekend. These are all heavyweight fights, these are all battles, and I'm just unbelievably proud," head coach JR Payne said. "So many different people at different times of the game stepped up and made huge winning plays on both sides of the floor. So super proud. Awesome team win."

This is Buffs' first win over a ranked opponent since last season when beating then-No. 10/8 Kansas State, 63-53 (Jan. 25, 2025). The Buffaloes had more rebounds (46-33), bench points (34-13), points off turnovers (19-14) and points in the paint (30-18) than the Cyclones.
...

UP NEXT:
  • The Buffs will travel to face UCF on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Financial Arena in Orlando, Fla. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and fans can follow along via live stats links on CUBuffs.com.

PLAYER STATS:
  • Jr. G Desiree Wooten led the game with a season-high 24 points, making this her 12th game with double-digit points. She also had four rebounds and two assists.
  • Sr. F Jade Masogayo tallied 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists. This is Masogayo's 10thh time this season with double-digit points.
  • Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat had 12 rebounds, nine points, two assists and one steal.
  • Jr. G Zyanna Walker saw 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. This is Walker's 10th game in double figures this season.
  • So. F Tabitha Betson matched a season-high eight points, as well as two steals and two rebounds.
  • Fr. C Jade Crook had two rebounds and one block.
  • For the Cyclones, Audi Crooks had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

GAME NOTES:
  • The Buffs move to 38-31 all-time against the Cyclones.
  • All-time, the Buffs move to 112-152 in Big 12 play.
  • CU had more rebounds (46-33), bench points (34-13), second-chance points (13-11) and fast break points (6-3) than Iowa State.
  • This is the first time the Buffs have beaten a ranked opponent since #10/8 Kansas State (63-53) last season (Jan. 25, 2025).
  • Colorado held ISU to its fewest points scored in a game this season (62), and the Buff defense held the nation's leading scorer, Audi Crooks, to her season-low in points (17).
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Box score - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26/-19-iowa-state/boxscore/17755







 
For a good portions of the game, CU's offense was awful. Dribbling into the low block and three defenders, or ill-advised passes, it was painful to watch. Desire Wooten kept them in the game with timely scoring and for big stretches of the game she was the only Buff able to do so.

Defensively, CU did a great job on Crooks. They used multiple players (Masogayo, Betson, Crook and Nworie) to be the primary defender and then brought over another one or two to help. Going into the final three minutes she was shooting under 50% from the field and not a big factor on offense. Watching on TV, she looked gassed in the first half and got freequent breaks.

The Buffs did a great job on the boards, limiting ISU to many one and dones by getting a ton of defensive rebounds - often uncontested. ISU had a total of 11 secoond chances points.

In the final three minutes or so three-poiont shooting put the Buffs over the top with three in the final minutes, two by Tabitha Betson and the final from Wooton. At the same time, they put more pressure on the perimiter defensively which took away open looks from beyond the arc and gave Crooks much more space to operate around the basket. Her scoring wasn't enough to make difference.
 
I have now watched this game 3 times. I love the ending so much!

We know that this team is not reliable at making 3's so it was a very pleasant surprise when Tabs and Wooten made those 3's.

Iowa State has 2 starters out. Both score and feed the ball to Audi. It's game number 4 without her and they have not adjusted. Their bench is not deep and it shows. Crooks was definitely gassed playing at altitude but she always looks like that. She rarely gets to the other end of the court for defense.

Crooks played 37 minutes. That is a lot of minutes for her. Until the two players were injured, she was not playing over 30 minutes. Now she has to play if they even have a chance.

Of course, Cyclone fans are calling for Fennelly to retire. He has been there 31 years and it's probably time. But the AD says it's up to him when he retires. AD may talk to him and try to convince him to retire, but he won't be fired.
 
Preview for Sunday - https://cubuffs.com/news/2026/1/16/womens-basketball-buffs-head-back-on-the-road-for-bout-with-ucf

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Buffs Head Back on the Road for Bout With UCF​

By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

GAME #19 • Sunday, January 18 • 12 p.m. MT
Financial Arena, Orlando, Fla.
Colorado (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) vs. UCF (9-8, 1-5 Big 12)
TIP: 12:02 p.m. MT
WATCH: ESPN+ (https://buffs.me/45guk0V)
RADIO: Colorado Radio Network, 'Denver's Talk Station' AM 630 KHOW (Cory Lopez, Carol Callan)
LISTEN ONLINE: Sirius XM 84, and on the SiriusXM App, or at https://buffs.me/4shh5GY
LIVE STATISTICS:https://buffs.me/3NoKHSX
SERIES RECORD: Colorado Leads, 2-0 (1.000 CU)
LAST MEETING: W, 81-62 (January 8, 2025 • Boulder, Colo.)
STREAK: Won 2 • LAST 10 MEETINGS: 2-0

BOULDER – The Colorado women's basketball team (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) heads back on the road for a quick weekend bout with UCF (9-8, 1-5 Big 12) on Jan. 18 at Financial Area in Orlando, Fla., at 12 p.m. MT.

The Buffs will face the Knights for just the third time in program history – first time on UCF's turf – and boast an undefeated record all-time over Central Florida. The Black and Gold first met with UCF in 2008 for an 86-59 victory (Nov. 16), and last faced the Knights in the Buffs' first season back in the Big 12 last year, where CU won, 81-62 (Jan. 8, 2025).
...

TIP-OFF (TL;DR)
...

  • As a team, the Buffs are third in the Big 12 for steals per game (10.83), fourth for offensive rebounds (14.1), fifth for rebounding margin (7.7), sixth for rebounds per game (39.2), sixth for free throw percentage (73.3), seventh for scoring defense (59.6) and seventh for turnover margin (2.72).

ROAM WITH THE BUFFS: The Buffs' game at UCF will be streamed on ESPN+. The Buffs are on the radio via the CUBuffs.com website and Varsity app for every game. The pregame show, Buffs Warm-up, starts a half-hour before tip and includes a pregame interview with Coach Payne. At halftime, stay tuned for a get-to-know interview with players and coaches. Colorado broadcasts on the iHeart Radio station, 'Denver's Talk Station' AM 630 KHOW. Available on the Varsity app. Fans can also follow Colorado games through live stats with links available at CUBuffs.com.
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This team has stretches where they seem to have no idea how to score. The zone shut them down in the 2nd quarter. In the 4th quarter the fouls got to us obviously, but we still look lost on offenses, often for 5+ minutes at a time. Silly turnovers, bad entry passes, no movement, etc. These are things coaching can and should fix if this team's gonna make any noise this year.
 
They went over 4 minutes at one point without scoring. Their shooting % was terrible as was the FT %.

They got outrebounded and didn't look like they wanted to be there.

The highlight of the game was the halftime interview on the radio broadcast with Ceal Barry. Sounded like her thoughts on transferring every year are similar to mine. She recruited kids to come to play in Boulder for 4 years. Spending 4 years with your teammates often became life long friendships. These players will not have those memories.

There has to be a different way to play this game because this era is driving people away.

She does watch the games from her winter home in Florida and will be in Boulder next weekend for the dedication of the Ceal Berry Plaza.
 
Announcers on TV were cringe. It was a very odd thing where the color man kept calling the play by play guy “chicken”. Maybe I missed some inside joke, but it was odd to me.
 
did not watch the game so no commentary but this was a awful loss. 1 step forward 3 steps back
 
Creebuzz said:
Announcers on TV were cringe. It was a very odd thing where the color man kept calling the play by play guy “chicken”. Maybe I missed some inside joke, but it was odd to me.
Click to expand...
That was awkward for sure. And just not especially clever.

I was just glad to be able to watch the game, piggybacking off my daughter's Disney account to watch ESPN+. That was my gym workout today.
 
Creebuzz said:
Announcers on TV were cringe. It was a very odd thing where the color man kept calling the play by play guy “chicken”. Maybe I missed some inside joke, but it was odd to me.
Click to expand...
This is why I sync my game to the radio broadcast. I don't even enjoy CU's broadcast team. Carol Callan is so much more knowledgeable than Kami. Of course she has been around the game much longer than Kami. She did the color for Kami's games.
 
WBBBuffs said:
This is why I sync my game to the radio broadcast. I don't even enjoy CU's broadcast team. Carol Callan is so much more knowledgeable than Kami. Of course she has been around the game much longer than Kami. She did the color for Kami's games.
Click to expand...
Good choice. The pair on TV did not pull off whatever light hearted banter they were attempting.

CU definitely had an off night.
 
The play by play guy for CU have always been good and they stay until they move to another market. Yes, they are very one sided. At least they cheer for my team.

The only color commentator who has even come close to Carol Callan was the year Shelley Sheetz did it. Again someone with years of coaching experience.

I think that is where Kami is lacking. She was on television, but she never coached. She doesn't see strategy the way Carol and Sheetz do.

Carol Callan tells it like she sees it. If it is a bad call, she tells you why it was a bad call. Sometimes Corey starts to say it's a bad call and she says no it wasn't. She calls out bad officiating when it happens. She calls out coaching mistakes that she feels are wrong. She calls out players that she believes didn't follow the game plan.

She has to be nearing retirement as she was coaching at Fairview way back in the 70's. Her two sons used to sit behind the radio table. They both attended CU and were managers for the women's teams. That has been years ago so they are all grown up and I don't know where they are now.
 
WBBBuffs said:
The play by play guy for CU have always been good and they stay until they move to another market. Yes, they are very one sided. At least they cheer for my team.

The only color commentator who has even come close to Carol Callan was the year Shelley Sheetz did it. Again someone with years of coaching experience.

I think that is where Kami is lacking. She was on television, but she never coached. She doesn't see strategy the way Carol and Sheetz do.

Carol Callan tells it like she sees it. If it is a bad call, she tells you why it was a bad call. Sometimes Corey starts to say it's a bad call and she says no it wasn't. She calls out bad officiating when it happens. She calls out coaching mistakes that she feels are wrong. She calls out players that she believes didn't follow the game plan.

She has to be nearing retirement as she was coaching at Fairview way back in the 70's. Her two sons used to sit behind the radio table. They both attended CU and were managers for the women's teams. That has been years ago so they are all grown up and I don't know where they are now.
Click to expand...
Carol was the best I have heard on the mens or women side. So much knowledge of the game and knows when to not talk. Dont mind Cory but Mike Rice was always my favorite
 
I go farther back. Tony Think his last name was Kindlespire or something like that. He was excellent.

Carol has no problem telling Corey when he is disagreeing with a call, that the right call was made.
 
WBBBuffs said:
I go farther back. Tony Think his last name was Kindlespire or something like that. He was excellent.

Carol has no problem telling Corey when he is disagreeing with a call, that the right call was made.
Click to expand...
I remember when CU went to the NCAA and played stanford. Tony K said that he went into the media room and they all asked if they were staying after CU lost to Stanford. He was very good.
 
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