CU's Youth Gaining Valuable Experience

BOULDER—It was no secret at the start of the season the 2018-19 Colorado women's basketball team was a young squad. The Buffaloes, with just four upperclassmen this season, knew their young players would need to contribute.

Head coach JR Payne painted the picture back in October at the team's media day.

"We have a couple of fantastic seniors. Some players that got a lot of fantastic playing time last year that are returning as veterans this year and a fun, exciting group of freshmen. I'm thrilled about the upcoming season."

Colorado began the season with a 5-0 run that featured a starting lineup composed of two seniors, two sophomores and one junior.

Alexis Robinson and Kennedy Leonard have been constants for the Buffs ever since their arrival in Boulder. Junior Quinessa Caylao-Do has gone from averaging 4.0 points per game in her first two seasons to an 11.7 scoring average this season. Sophomore Mya Hollingshed has successfully transitioned from a three-point specialist as a freshman to an all-around threat. Sophomore Annika Jank, who started 29 games as a freshman, rounded out CU's early season lineup.

Sophomore Aubrey Knight returned healthy at the start of the season and figured to lead CU's young corps off the bench.

Fast forward to mid-January and the Buffs have been bruised and battered. Untimely injuries to Knight and now Leonard have forced CU's youngsters to step up and help fill some key roles for the Buffs.

Freshman Peanut Tuitele was called upon early for the Buffs. She scored a combined 22 points in her first two games and was slotted into the starting lineup soon after. Tuitele responded with a pair of double-figure games in her first career starts and picked up Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors. She has played in all 17 games this season, totaling seven double-figure point efforts. Of late, Tuitele's production has cooled off a bit, but she remains one of CU's more consistent options with her 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Another freshman that has become a growing presence for the Buffs is Emma Clarke. The 6-1 Australian has played in all 17 games averaging just north of three points and rebounds per game. Her best showing to date was her 12 point effort in CU's win over Stamford.

Leonard had started 100 straight games and 107 total in her career, before having to sit due to her injury. Her departure from the lineup has left the Buffs without 14.1 points and 7.2 assists per game this season. Sophomore Peyton Carter and freshman Lesila Finau have taken turns in the point guard role, each earning their first career starts. Ideally, the two would have had this season to continue to develop and learn from Leonard.

"Any team in America would love to have Kennedy on the floor," Payne explained. "We are not different. We are really trying to find the positives in that our young point guards are getting a lot of minutes that they hadn't received earlier in the season."

Part of the process for the Buffs is working through their growing pains. Colorado's assist totals have taken a hit without Leonard on the floor. In the three games without the program's all-time assist leader, CU has 12, nine and seven assists. The Buffs have also been burned on turnovers, most recently allowing 23 points off 13 turnovers at Utah last Sunday.

"We are really trying to grow their [Carter and Finau] experience," Payne added. "When Kennedy comes back we will be that much better for it."

The Buffaloes are still looking for that winning combination, having lost their last six games. The road does not get any easier for the Buffs as they host No. 6/7 Stanford on Friday (7 p.m.) and California on Sunday (1 p.m.).

Both games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. Fans can listen to the Buffs all season long on AM 630 (KHOW).

The Game: Colorado and Stanford meet up for the 23rd time in series history on Friday. The Buffs are still in search of their first Pac-12 win, while Stanford comes into the game ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press poll. The Cardinal have won the last 13 meetings.

About the Buffaloes: Colorado sits at 10-7 this season, in search of its first win in the Pac-12. The Buffs have a trio of players averaging double-figure scoring this season. Senior Kennedy Leonard (14.1 ppg) leads the group. Junior Quinessa Caylao-Do (11.7) and sophomore Mya Hollingshed (10.5 ppg) round out the top-scorers.

About Utah: The Cardinal have put together a 10-game winning streak since their only loss of the season at Gonzaga. Stanford is led legendary coach Tara VanDerveer, who just recorded win No. 900 at Stanford. Alanna Smith is the team's top producer with 21.0 points per game.

Last Time Out: Colorado was without senior Kennedy Leonard for its third straight game at Utah. The Utes shot 8-for-11 from 3 in the first half on their way to the season sweep over the Buffs. Utah finished 54.5 percent (12-22) from long range in the 78-59 decision.

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Players Mentioned

Peyton Carter

Quinessa Caylao-Do

Emma Clarke

Lesila Finau

Mya Hollingshed

Annika Jank

Aubrey Knight

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

Peanut Tuitele