No. 6 Colorado Heads Back to the PNW: Five Things to Know

Friday, February 2

Pullman, Wash.

8:00 PM

Colorado

Washington State

Photo by: Serena Rodriguez

No. 6 Colorado Heads Back to the PNW: Five Things to Know

February 01, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes

Buffs wrap up a four-game road swing

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER – No. 6 Colorado jets off to the Evergreen State to wrap up the four-game road stretch. The Buffaloes will take on Washington State (Friday, 8 p.m. MT) and Washington (Sunday, 1 p.m. MT).

Colorado (17-3, 7-2 Pac-12) fell three spots to No. 6 this week in the Associated Press rankings, following its road split of the Oregon schools. CU has been in the rankings for 13 straight weeks and inside the top 10 for 12 consecutive polls.

Washington State (15-6, 4-4 Pac-12) scored its first ranked win of the season last week, defeating then No. 2 UCLA, 85-82. The Cougars are 3-2 this season in games decided by five or fewer points. Bella Murekatete has four double-doubles this season, coming off a 16-point, 11-rebound performance against UCLA.

Washington (13-6, 3-5 Pac-12) took down then No. 11 USC for its second ranked with of the season last Sunday. The Huskies held the Trojans to 59 points in the win and are 10-1 this season when keeping opponents under 60 points. UW is 11th in the NCAA this season in scoring defense, limiting opponents to a 54.1 scoring average.

Five things to know

Injured Cougar – WSU will be without its senior All-American guard Charlisse Leger-Walker for the remainder of the season. She suffered a torn ACL in WSU's win over UCLA. Through 21 games this season, she totaled 278 points, 137 rebounds, 107 assists and 36 steals and recorded a pair of triple-doubles.
60 and Below – The Buffs have held opponents to 60 or fewer points in nine games this season, the last coming at Oregon (48 pts). CU has won 31 consecutive games when holding opponents to under 60 points. Oregon's 48 points were the fewest allowed in conference play and the second-fewest allowed this season by the Buffs.
Freebies – Colorado is shooting 74.3% from the free-throw line this season. Frida Formann has been the team's best free-throw shooter, hitting 93.0% (40-43) from the line. She has made 18 consecutive from the stripe, having started the season a perfect 22-for-22.
Road Buffs – Colorado is 4-1 on opponent's floors this season. CU is a combined 15-6 in true road games since the 2022-23 season. Friday will be CU's last visit to Beasley Coliseum as a conference opponent. The Buffs haven't fared well in the Palouse, going 3-8 in Pullman. Colorado has fared slightly better on the west side of the state, going 5-8 against the Huskies in Seattle.
Point Guard U – Colorado was one of two schools to have both a men's and women's representative on the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20. Jaylyn Sherrod continued to be on the national list along with KJ Simpson on the men's side. UConn is the only other school with players on both lists.

Both games this weekend will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. Cindy Brunson and Stephaine Hawk Freeman will call Friday's action. Elise Woodward and Angela Taylor will be on the mic vs Washington on Sunday.

Cory Lopez and Carol Callan will have pregame coverage starting 30 minutes before tip-off on the Colorado Radio Network.