Games thread- WOMEN'S BBall visits Iowa State (Sat., 2/8/24; 3:00 PM MT; ESPN+) and (RV) Utah (Wed., 7:00 PM MT; ESPN+)

[AztecBuff]

Looking to build on its 4 game winning streak, Women's basketball (16-6 overall, 7-4 in Big 12 play) is back on the road for 2 important games over the coming week against teams that are within a game of them in the conference standings (1 way or the other) and have better NET rankings. 1st off they head to Ames to face the Iowa State Cyclones (ISU; 16-9, 7-5) Saturday afternoon, and then head off to one of their most familiar road haunts (SLC) to play the receiving Top 25 votes (RV) Utah Utes (17-5, 8-3) Wednesday night.

In the latest NET rankings (as of games played 2/5; available at https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-women/d1/ncaa-womens-basketball-net-rankings), CU is currently at #58, while ISU is at #40 and Utah #26.

As has been the case for almost all conference games so far this season, both 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!!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Links with more more info on the upcoming opponents:

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

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

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Media links:

Live video: Both of these games are scheduled to be provided through the premium ($) ESPN+ subscription service, available either on the ESPN app or at:
Vs. ISU - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eventCalendarId/401725294?gameId=401725294
Vs. Utah - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eventCalendarId/401725303?gameId=401725303

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:
Vs. ISU - https://cubuffs.com/watch/?Live=3026&type=Live
Vs. Utah - https://cubuffs.com/watch/?Live=3028&type=Live

Link to link to live stats (All games) - http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=colo
For specific games (If blank, not available as I type this.):
Vs. ISU - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=552961
Vs. Utah - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=556215

Game notes: (Note- Left empty for games that don't have any as I type this.)
Vs. ISU -
Vs. Utah -

WBB Notes at Utah - University of Colorado Athletics

WBB Notes at Utah

cubuffs.com

 

[buffgal]

Iowa State has been beaten in Hilton this season in games where they were expected to win. The Buffs can win this game.

 

[AztecBuff]

Wasn't able to watch today's game, which looking at the box score looks like a good thing, as CU was down 20 after the 1st quarter and never got materially closer fter that. Final is 56-86.

 

[buffgal]

I watched the entire game. Audi Crooks is not a player the Buffs have a player or even two that can handle her. She is a wide body with good foot work and was on with her shot last night.

The buffs were run out of HIlton. I don't think any player played well.

I am content with my decision not to drive to Ames. What happened is exactly what I thought would happen.

We don't have the size inside and we don't have a reliable outside game.

The only part of the game the Buffs did well was shooting free throws.

 

[MarkW]

Looks like the Buffs had no answer for ISU's Audi Crooks. Crooks is a 6-3 So center who is broad and physical and too much to handle for the players on CU's roster. Jade Masogayo is slight of build. She was in foul trouble yesterday and scored zero points in 14 minutes. Crooks went 15-20 from the floor and 33 points in 27 minutes.

Without Frida being injured often this season no one on the perimeter is a consistent scorer. It's one of this team's Achilles' heals (the other is depth at point guard).
It's gonna be touch and go to make the NCAA tourney. On the flip side, the coaching staff has done a tremendous job this season given the turnover and offensive talent level.

Hopefull the coaching staff will hit the portal for a solid point guard and perimeter shooter.

 

[buffgal]

Frida is supposedly day to day. She is in a boot and is using a scooter. I'm doubtful that she is day to day. We will be lucky to see her play again.

 

[AztecBuff]

About an hour til tipoff!


_____________________________________________________________________

Preview - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/2/11/womens-basketball-getting-to-know-the-buffs-lior-garzon

"

Getting to Know the Buffs: Lior Garzon​

Getting to know the new players throughout the season

By: Macy Mohlenkamp, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

SALT LAKE CITY – On Wednesday, the Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team will take on familiar rival Utah in the first Big 12 meeting between the two schools.

The Buffs have 10 new faces on the team this season, and CUBuffs.com will feature 'Get to Know' spotlights on all 10 players throughout the season.

Next up is graduate transfer Lior Garzon.

What was it like growing up in Israel and playing basketball there?
I think it's obviously very different from here. Sports is not a big deal in Israel, but obviously, we have clubs. It was pretty fun. It was very chill. Nothing super serious. Nobody really figured to do anything crazy with it, but it was fun.

How old were you when you started playing basketball?
I was honestly three years old. I have a picture with a ball since I was so little because my dad used to play basketball. So I always had a ball in my hand.

Why did you start playing basketball?
My dad just taught me how to play, and then I literally fell in love. I was like, 'I'll just keep going.'
...

Garzon and the Buffs tip-off against Utah on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).

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

Up Next: Feb. 15, Houston (ESPN+/6 p.m. MT).
"

 

[AztecBuff]

Included in the Notes section of Brian Howell's nice Buffzone / Daily Camera preview for the game (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/02...cu-buffs-aim-to-bounce-back-in-visit-to-utah/ ) , Frida Formann is still out for CU with a stress fracture in her foot.

 

[AztecBuff]

A VERY short-handed Buff squad fell 60-77 to the Utes tonight.

In addition to Ms. Formann, already known to be out, the Buffs were short 2 other KEY starters tonight, PG Wetta and W Smith. (Per a Brian Howell social media post, Wetta has a concussion and Smith was out with illness.) Frosh Betson and grad transfer Teder got the start tonight in their stead, with Betson leading the team with a career high 15 points and 8 rebounds.

 

[buffgal]

Radio announcers said another player didn't make the trip.

We had no leadership and Utah is a much better team than this stripped down version of the Buffs. With the available players, this was the way it was going to go.

I know I have said all year, we don't have a good inside game and without Frida, we also don't have an outside game.

Betson scored 12 points in the first half, so Utah figured out how to stop her.

I didn't watch the 4th quarter.