Colorado
California
No. 24 Buffs Head to the Bay
January 19, 2023 | Women's Basketball
CU readies for weekend at Cal and Stanford
BERKELEY – The newly minted No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes take to the road again this weekend, making the voyage to California and No. 4/3 Stanford.
Colorado (14-3, 5-1 Pac-12) jumped into the Associated Press' top 25 after beating its second consecutive top-15 opponent in then No. 14 Arizona last Friday. CU's appearance in the rankings marks its first time since Jan. 17, 2022. CU's appearance in the rankings in back-to-back seasons marks the first time since the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
"The last week was huge for us to beat No. 8 [Utah] and then No. 14 [Arizona]," head coach JR Payne stated. "It was just a cool opportunity to have two top 15 teams in a row at a time that we feel like we're playing really good basketball. We expected to win both those games, not because we don't respect our opponent but because we feel pretty good about how we're playing."
CU got some unexpected time off after Friday's win. The Buffs were set to play Arizona State as scheduled on Sunday, but the Sun Devils were unable to play. Instead of a quick turnaround that is accustomed to the Pac-12 schedule, the Buffs took Saturday off and practiced on Sunday as the beneficiaries of an ASU forfeit.
Both Cal (10-7, 1-5 Pac-12) and Stanford (17-2, 5-1 Pac-12) were on the road last weekend for a pair of games at UCLA and Southern California. CU's two opponents this weekend are on the opposite end of the Pac-12 standings, but both offer the same kind of threat.
"I think most of us that have been in this league long enough that every team in this conference is dangerous," Payne explained. "I honestly think that Cal is one of the most dangerous teams in the league. They've been so close [to winning]. They were in a two-point game against Stanford with a minute to go. They led UCLA down to the wire. I think both teams will be tough, but when you play great teams every night in this league, you feel prepared for anybody."
One key to the Buffs' success this season, especially these past two games, is the team's ability to produce from multiple spots on the floor. Four players are averaging more than 10 points again in the last two contests, led by junior Frida Formann's 21.5 points per game. She posted 20 points in CU's win over Utah and then hit a new season-high with 23 points against Arizona. Aaronette Vonleh (13.5) Quay Miller (12.5) and Jaylyn Sherrod (11.5) have all played large roles of late.
"We had a great year last year, but I think we're a better team this year because of our balance," Payne noted. "We have a couple of important seniors that have played a lot of minutes. Jaylyn and Quay have played a lot of important minutes. Frida is leading us in scoring in the last few games. It's just an unselfish group, and no one cares who scored or gets the glory. They just want to win."
Nobody can argue with the results. CU's 5-1 start to Pac-12 play has the team tied for the top seed in the conference. It is also the team's best six-game start since joining the Pac-12 in 2011-12. CU's last 5-1 conference start was back in the 2003-04 season as a member of the Big 12.
"We feel like no matter whom we play, we're the same Colorado," Payne added. "We're tough. We're physical. We're aggressive. We never wilt. I think they [the team] feel like that is something that can travel. That can stand up against anybody. Whether you go 10-for-10 from 3 or 0-for-10, those are the types of things that will keep us in games."
Friday's game is set for a 12:30 p.m. MT tip at Haas Pavilion. Sunday's game at Stanford will get underway at 3 p.m. MT. Both contests will be on the Pac-12 and the Colorado Radio Networks. Cory Lopez and Carol Callan will be on the air with pregame 30 minutes before tip.
