THE GAME: The University of Colorado hosts UC Riverside in a first round Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) game on Thursday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.
BROADCAST: Thursday’s WNIT first round game will be broadcast live on KKZN AM 760. Mike Rice will give the play by play with USA Basketball’s Carol Callan with the color commentary. Live internet audio of all CU basketball games is available on BuffsRadio, a free subscription service through CUBuffs.com. Live internet video streaming of Thursday’s game is available on BuffsTV, also a sub- scription service through CUBuffs.com.
POSTSEASON FACTS: Colorado is in postseason play for the 19th time in team history with an overall record of 26-18. The Buffs played in four AIAW Tournaments from 1979-82 (5-4) and have made 12 NCAA Tournament Appearances (17-12).
- This is Colorado’s third trip to the postseason WNIT, entering with an overall record of 4-2. The Buffaloes also participated in the 1999 event (1-1) and reached the 2008 semifinals (3-1). - All six of Colorado’s previous postseason WNIT games were played at the Coors Events Center.
- CU is 18-5 all-time at home in postseason (12-3 NCAA, 4-2 WNIT, 2-0 AIAW) and has won six of its last seven.
- Colorado head coach Linda Lappe has coached in the WNIT before, but this will be the first time as a head coach. She was on the Drake staff that went to WNIT’s in 2004 and ‘06. - Lappe was a true freshman on CU’s 1999 WNIT team
- Colorado’s three seniors Brittany Spears, Britney Blythe and Chelsea Dale were freshmen on CU’s 2008 WNIT team. Spears started all four games while Dale played in the semifinal against Marquette. Blythe did not see action in the four games.
- CU assistant coach Jennie Baranczyk was an assistant on the Marquette team that defeated Colorado in the 2008 WNIT semifinals, eventually winning the tournament title.
UC-RIVERSIDE: UC-Riverside finished 19-12 overall and 11-5 (third) in the Big West Conference. The Highlanders closed the regular season with five consecutive wins and defeated Long Beach State 83-65 in the Big West quarterfinals before losing to UC-Davis 44-39 in the semifinals.
The Highlanders had two players - sophomore guard Tre'Shonti Nottingham, senior guard Alyssa Morris - make first-team All-Big West. Nottingham (13.6 points a game) and Morris (12.3) are among four players averaging in double figures. UC-Riverside averages 64.2 points a game and has allowed 60.6.
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Great job by our Women making the post-season this year. They overcame so much and exceeded so many expectations. If you've got the time, try to get to the Keg to support them tonight. I just bought a courtside seat for under $20.
:gobuffs:
BROADCAST: Thursday’s WNIT first round game will be broadcast live on KKZN AM 760. Mike Rice will give the play by play with USA Basketball’s Carol Callan with the color commentary. Live internet audio of all CU basketball games is available on BuffsRadio, a free subscription service through CUBuffs.com. Live internet video streaming of Thursday’s game is available on BuffsTV, also a sub- scription service through CUBuffs.com.
POSTSEASON FACTS: Colorado is in postseason play for the 19th time in team history with an overall record of 26-18. The Buffs played in four AIAW Tournaments from 1979-82 (5-4) and have made 12 NCAA Tournament Appearances (17-12).
- This is Colorado’s third trip to the postseason WNIT, entering with an overall record of 4-2. The Buffaloes also participated in the 1999 event (1-1) and reached the 2008 semifinals (3-1). - All six of Colorado’s previous postseason WNIT games were played at the Coors Events Center.
- CU is 18-5 all-time at home in postseason (12-3 NCAA, 4-2 WNIT, 2-0 AIAW) and has won six of its last seven.
- Colorado head coach Linda Lappe has coached in the WNIT before, but this will be the first time as a head coach. She was on the Drake staff that went to WNIT’s in 2004 and ‘06. - Lappe was a true freshman on CU’s 1999 WNIT team
- Colorado’s three seniors Brittany Spears, Britney Blythe and Chelsea Dale were freshmen on CU’s 2008 WNIT team. Spears started all four games while Dale played in the semifinal against Marquette. Blythe did not see action in the four games.
- CU assistant coach Jennie Baranczyk was an assistant on the Marquette team that defeated Colorado in the 2008 WNIT semifinals, eventually winning the tournament title.
UC-RIVERSIDE: UC-Riverside finished 19-12 overall and 11-5 (third) in the Big West Conference. The Highlanders closed the regular season with five consecutive wins and defeated Long Beach State 83-65 in the Big West quarterfinals before losing to UC-Davis 44-39 in the semifinals.
The Highlanders had two players - sophomore guard Tre'Shonti Nottingham, senior guard Alyssa Morris - make first-team All-Big West. Nottingham (13.6 points a game) and Morris (12.3) are among four players averaging in double figures. UC-Riverside averages 64.2 points a game and has allowed 60.6.
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Great job by our Women making the post-season this year. They overcame so much and exceeded so many expectations. If you've got the time, try to get to the Keg to support them tonight. I just bought a courtside seat for under $20.
:gobuffs: