By: Seth Pringle, Assistant SID
Release: November 30, 2018
Colorado set for its final non-conference road test
MIAMI—Colorado women's basketball heads south to the beach for its final non-conference road game on Sunday. The Buffaloes will take on No. 21/20 Miami (Fla.) in a rematch from last season. Tip is set for 11 a.m. MT.
The Buffs and the Hurricanes met last year at the CU Event Center. Colorado used a 21-5 third-quarter run on its way to the 67-61 win. Annika Jank totaled 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Kennedy Leonard added 11 points and eight assists.
"[Having played last year] makes a big difference," head coach JR Payne explained. "To play an ACC team that we do not see very often—you do not just naturally know a lot about them. To have played last year I think makes a big difference for our own level of understanding."
The No. 21/20 Hurricanes return three starters from last season in Enida Banks, Mykea Grey and Emese Hof. Beatrice Mompremier, a transfer from Baylor, leads the 'Canes with 15.3 points per game. Miami started the season 5-0, making a run to the Preseason WNIT championship, before falling to Iowa State.
The Buffs got an ACC tune-up, defeating North Carolina in Boulder already this season. CU went 1-1 last season against the conference, dropping the matchup against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
"We have worked very hard from last season to this season," Payne added. "Playing an ACC opponent in Carolina and see them be successful after our game tells us a little bit about that conference. I think it gives us the knowledge that we can compete with that conference."
The Buffs went 6-0 in November, improving to 19-1 in the month under Coach Payne. Colorado's start to the season is its best since the 2016-17 season when it won its first 10 games. CU will wrap up the non-conference schedule with four home games when it returns from Miami. Colorado has San Jose State (Dec. 6), Navy (Dec. 9) Prairie View A&M (Dec. 12) and Samford (Dec. 20) leading up to its Pac-12 opener against Utah (Dec. 30).
"We are playing a real variety of teams," Payne commented. "We have played really athletic teams. We have played really skilled teams. We have played big and we have played small. That in of itself prepares us for the Pac-12."
EARLY HONORS: Kennedy Leonard was selected as a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award on Friday. She has also been selected to the Naismith and Lieberman Award watch lists.
4's WILD: The Buffs had four players hit double figures in their wins over North Carolina, Utah State and Pepperdine. Colorado had four players in double figures eight times last season.
NOW BOARDING: CU leads the Pac-12 with 43.3 rebounds per game (43rd NCAA). CU is tied for third in the conference with a +9.2 rebounding margin.
MILESTONE WATCH: Alexis Robinson has 993 career points. Leonard is 12 points away from tying Erin Carson for 11th all-time with 1,501. She will be just the 12th Buff to reach 1,500 points in her career. Leonard is also 40 assists away from tying Bridget Turner for first on CU's all-time assists chart. She currently has 572.
The game will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra. Fans can listen live on AM 630 (KHOW) and the Colorado Sports Radio Network on TuneIn.
Release: November 30, 2018
Colorado set for its final non-conference road test
MIAMI—Colorado women's basketball heads south to the beach for its final non-conference road game on Sunday. The Buffaloes will take on No. 21/20 Miami (Fla.) in a rematch from last season. Tip is set for 11 a.m. MT.
The Buffs and the Hurricanes met last year at the CU Event Center. Colorado used a 21-5 third-quarter run on its way to the 67-61 win. Annika Jank totaled 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Kennedy Leonard added 11 points and eight assists.
"[Having played last year] makes a big difference," head coach JR Payne explained. "To play an ACC team that we do not see very often—you do not just naturally know a lot about them. To have played last year I think makes a big difference for our own level of understanding."
The No. 21/20 Hurricanes return three starters from last season in Enida Banks, Mykea Grey and Emese Hof. Beatrice Mompremier, a transfer from Baylor, leads the 'Canes with 15.3 points per game. Miami started the season 5-0, making a run to the Preseason WNIT championship, before falling to Iowa State.
The Buffs got an ACC tune-up, defeating North Carolina in Boulder already this season. CU went 1-1 last season against the conference, dropping the matchup against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
"We have worked very hard from last season to this season," Payne added. "Playing an ACC opponent in Carolina and see them be successful after our game tells us a little bit about that conference. I think it gives us the knowledge that we can compete with that conference."
The Buffs went 6-0 in November, improving to 19-1 in the month under Coach Payne. Colorado's start to the season is its best since the 2016-17 season when it won its first 10 games. CU will wrap up the non-conference schedule with four home games when it returns from Miami. Colorado has San Jose State (Dec. 6), Navy (Dec. 9) Prairie View A&M (Dec. 12) and Samford (Dec. 20) leading up to its Pac-12 opener against Utah (Dec. 30).
"We are playing a real variety of teams," Payne commented. "We have played really athletic teams. We have played really skilled teams. We have played big and we have played small. That in of itself prepares us for the Pac-12."
EARLY HONORS: Kennedy Leonard was selected as a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award on Friday. She has also been selected to the Naismith and Lieberman Award watch lists.
4's WILD: The Buffs had four players hit double figures in their wins over North Carolina, Utah State and Pepperdine. Colorado had four players in double figures eight times last season.
NOW BOARDING: CU leads the Pac-12 with 43.3 rebounds per game (43rd NCAA). CU is tied for third in the conference with a +9.2 rebounding margin.
MILESTONE WATCH: Alexis Robinson has 993 career points. Leonard is 12 points away from tying Erin Carson for 11th all-time with 1,501. She will be just the 12th Buff to reach 1,500 points in her career. Leonard is also 40 assists away from tying Bridget Turner for first on CU's all-time assists chart. She currently has 572.
The game will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra. Fans can listen live on AM 630 (KHOW) and the Colorado Sports Radio Network on TuneIn.
