The Colorado women’s basketball team is preparing to compete in the 2026 Phillips 66 Women’s Big 12 Tournament, where they will face 11th-seeded Kansas on March 5 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Buffaloes enter as the sixth seed after finishing the regular season with a record of 20-10 overall and 11-7 in conference play, which earned them a first-round bye.
Colorado last played Kansas on February 1, securing a three-point overtime win in Lawrence. This marked their only overtime game this season. Colorado has won its last two matchups against Kansas and will be looking to extend that streak.
Despite ending the regular season with two losses, including a defeat to BYU on February 28 where junior guard Desiree Wooten matched her career high with 25 points, Colorado has posted an 8-3 record over its past eleven games heading into the tournament.
Head coach JR Payne leads the team in her tenth year at Colorado. “Coach Payne has been extended through the 2031 season and has led the Buffs to three NCAA appearances, two WNIT appearances and one WBIT appearance.” Under her guidance, Colorado was picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll but exceeded expectations by securing an 11-7 conference record.
Several players received individual honors this season. Senior forward Jade Masogayo was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and is ranked among conference leaders for points per game and blocks per game. “Masogayo averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game,” according to team statistics.
Junior guard Desiree Wooten received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition for averaging double-digit points off the bench in most games this season and maintaining a free throw percentage of 74%. Junior guard Zyanna Walker was selected for both the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention; she ranks third in steals across the conference with an average of over two per game.
Freshman forward Logyn Greer made the Big 12 All-Freshman Team after scoring double digits in fifteen games and recording a double-double against Miami (OH). Senior forward Anaëlle Dutat leads all players in offensive rebounds per game and set a new program record for offensive boards in a single season.
As a team, Colorado ranks second in offensive rebounds per game within the Big 12 and is also among conference leaders for rebounding margin, steals per game, scoring defense, total rebounds per game, and scoring margin.
Colorado’s history in postseason tournaments includes four Big Eight Championships (1989, 1992, 1995, and 1996) as well as one Big 12 Championship (1997). The Buffaloes have made fifteen previous appearances in the Big 12 Tournament; this year marks their sixteenth.
The upcoming matchup against Kansas will be streamed on ESPN+. Radio coverage will be available via AM 630 KHOW and online platforms such as Sirius XM channel 84 and CUBuffs.com. Fans can access live statistics during games through links provided by CUBuffs.com.
“Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat reached 117 offensive rebounds on the season, setting the program record for offensive boards in a single season (vs. BYU, Feb. 28).” Additional player milestones are within reach: sophomore forward Tabitha Betson is close to surpassing 200 rebounds for her career while several other players are nearing personal statistical benchmarks.
For more information about schedules or results visit CUBuffs.com or follow @CUBuffsWBB on social media platforms.
