Buffs Set for Pac-12 Tournament

Thursday, March 7

Las Vegas, Nev.

12:30 PM

Colorado

Arizona State

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

March 06, 2019 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes (PDF)

Colorado opens with Arizona State on Thursday

By: Seth Pringle, Assistant SID

LAS VEGAS — The No. 12 seeded Colorado Buffaloes will look to cause chaos throughout the bracket as the 2019 edition of the Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament shifts to Sin City and the MGM Grand Arena this week.

"We have sort of been the underdog all year," head coach JR Payne explained. "I think we are happy to be the underdog. We are playing a great team in Arizona State. I think we feel good about our chances."

Colorado (12-17, 2-16 Pac-12) got dealt a rough hand this season. The Buffs started the season 10-1 but finished just 2-16. CU has had an unfortunate streak of dealing with injuries and some bad luck. Colorado has started nine different lineups this season and has missed a total of 38 games to injury this season.

"People are injured on every team in America," Payne added. "Ours a bit more than others. But those that haven't been injured have stepped up, played hard and grown in their role."

"I love our potential for this week. If we can get Alexis [Robinson] back feeling good and Peanut [Tuitele] back on the floor—Kennedy [Leonard] is getting her feet back under her. All our young players have all this experience. I like our chances."

The Buffs have fared well in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament, recording a 5-2 overall record. Last year Colorado defeated Utah in first-round play. The only other time CU was the 12th seed was in 2016. The Buffs did not advance past Washington.

Colorado's youth has been spotlighted the majority of the season. Freshmen Peanut Tuitele, Emma Clarke and Lesila Finau all earned starts throughout the season. Sophomores Mya Hollingshed and Annika Jank have been leaned on throughout the season as well.

"I am really proud that we have been able to compete," Payne added. "To be such a young team and to be in so many uncomfortable roles and situations—we have continued to fight and scratch to be competitive."

Thursday's game is the tournament opener. The Buffs and Sun Devils will get going at 12:30 p.m. MT. The 10 of the 11 games this week will be on the Pac-12 Network with the championship game shifting to ESPN.

Fans can listen to Cory Lopez and Carol Callan on the Buffalo Radio Network. The game will be broadcast locally on AM 630 (KHOW) and online at CUBuffs.com/listen.

The Game: The Buffs open the Pac-12 Tournament as the No. 12 seed. Colorado draws Arizona State, the No. 5 seed, to open the tournament on Thursday. Colorado went 0-2 against the Sun Devils in the regular season.

About the Buffaloes: CU is 4-2 in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. Last season Colorado advanced into the quarterfinals with a first-round win over Utah (66-56). Senior Kennedy Leonard (12.9 ppg) leads the group. Senior Alexis Robinson (12.0), junior Quinessa Caylao-Do (11.1) and sophomore Mya Hollingshed (10.9 ppg) round out the top-scorers.

About ASU: The Sun Devils lost three of its last four to close out the regular season, slipping back to No. 20 in the polls. Arizona State split the last weekend with a win over Oregon State and a loss to Oregon. ASU advanced to the semifinals last season as the No. 6 seed in the tournament. Earlier this week Kianna Ibis was voted All-Conference, while Courtney Ekmark was honorable mention.

Last Time Out: No. 25 UCLA proved to be a tall task for Colorado. The Buffaloes concluded the regular season with an 84-50 loss inside Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins got out to a fast start on their Senior Day and never looked back. UCLA grew its lead to 34 and kept the Buffs to just 16 field goals, matching their season low. Sophomore Annika Jank led Cu with 11 points.