Colorado Women’s Hoops Returns Home for Big 12 Clash with Arizona
The Colorado women’s basketball team is back in Boulder, ready to close out 2025 with a bang as they host Arizona in their Big 12 home opener on New Year’s Eve. Tip-off is set for 7:02 p.m. MT at the CU Events Center, and while the fireworks may be saved for midnight, there’s plenty of potential for an explosive matchup on the court.
This will be the 33rd meeting between the Buffs and the Wildcats, and Colorado holds the edge historically, leading the all-time series 22-10. That includes a three-game winning streak against Arizona, capped by a gritty 61-58 win in last season’s Big 12 Championship that helped propel the Buffs into the quarterfinals. Now, with both teams sitting at 0-1 in conference play, this one carries early-season weight.
A Tough Start, But Lessons Learned
Colorado (9-4, 0-1 Big 12) is coming off a tough road loss to Arizona State before the holiday break. The Buffs dug themselves into a 15-point hole early but clawed back to within two early in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, foul trouble and turnovers proved costly in a 79-63 defeat. Still, there were bright spots-CU outscored ASU in the paint (36-28) and dominated second-chance opportunities (11-5).
That kind of interior presence and hustle can go a long way in Big 12 play.
Who’s Leading the Charge?
Head coach JR Payne is in her 10th season at the helm and has built a program that’s consistently competitive. With a 173-120 record, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and a contract extension through 2028, Payne has earned her spot among the conference’s most respected leaders.
This year’s roster is a blend of experience and fresh energy. Sophomore forward Tabitha Betson returns to the lineup after a semester away, joining a core that includes senior forward Jade Masogayo, sophomore guard Kennedy Sanders, and fifth-year center JoJo Nworie.
The Buffs also welcomed 10 new faces this season-five transfers and five freshmen. And it hasn’t taken long for several of them to make an impact.
- Zyanna Walker, a junior guard from Kansas State, brings defensive energy in bunches. She’s seventh in the Big 12 in steals per game (2.4), while also ranking top-25 in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
- Anaëlle Dutat, a senior forward from Rhode Island, is third in the conference in rebounds per game (8.2) and tied for ninth in steals (2.2). She’s been a force on the boards and a disruptor in passing lanes.
- Logyn Greer, a freshman forward, is already making her presence felt-ranking in the top 25 in the Big 12 in both rebounds (6.0) and blocks (0.8) per game.
- Desiree Wooten, a junior guard, has been a steady contributor from beyond the arc and on defense, tied for 21st in the conference in threes per game (1.5) and 23rd in steals (1.7).
- Kennedy Sanders, now in her second year, continues to be a defensive spark, tied for 15th in the Big 12 in steals per game (1.9).
Team Stats That Tell the Story
Colorado’s team identity is clear: aggressive defense, strong rebounding, and a commitment to hustle plays. The Buffs rank second in the Big 12 in steals per game (11.77), a stat that speaks to their relentless on-ball pressure.
They’re also fourth in free throw percentage (73.5%), fifth in rebounding margin (9.3), and sixth in offensive boards (13.8 per game). That kind of effort on the glass and at the line can swing close games-something the Buffs know well from their recent battles with Arizona.
Defensively, they’re holding opponents to just 59.1 points per game, good for eighth in the conference. It’s not lockdown defense across the board, but it’s been enough to keep them in games-especially when the offense is clicking.
Milestones and Momentum
As the Buffs gear up for their final game of 2025, a few players are closing in on personal milestones:
- Jade Masogayo is just 10 steals away from 100 in her career.
- Maeve McErlane is 15 rebounds away from the century mark this season.
- Logyn Greer is just 27 boards shy of 100 as a freshman.
- Desiree Wooten recently reached 700 career points, hitting the mark in the loss to ASU.
Against the Sun Devils, the Buffs had four players score in double figures-Dutat (12), Masogayo (14), Walker (15), and Wooten (11). That marked the sixth time this season CU has had four or more players in double digits, a promising sign of balanced scoring and depth.
Speaking of depth, Colorado has already used five different starting lineups through 13 games. Nine of the 14 rostered players have earned at least one start, giving Coach Payne plenty of flexibility and matchup options as the season unfolds.
The Rivalry and the Setting
Playing Arizona on New Year’s Eve has become a bit of a tradition in Boulder. This will be the third time the Buffs and Wildcats have met on December 31 in Boulder, with previous matchups in 2017-18 and 1989-90. Historically, CU has owned this matchup at home, holding a 13-3 record against Arizona at the Events Center.
How to Watch and Listen
Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+, with Thad Anderson and Kami Carmann on the call. The radio broadcast will be available on Denver’s Talk Station AM 630 KHOW, with Cory Lopez and Carol Callan providing coverage.
You can also stream the game audio via Sirius XM 84, the SiriusXM App, or CUBuffs.com. Live stats will be available online for those who want to track the game in real-time.
With a chance to bounce back from a tough road loss and build momentum heading into the heart of Big 12 play, the Buffs have plenty to play for on New Year’s Eve. The matchup with Arizona is more than just a conference game-it’s a measuring stick for where this team stands and where it’s headed.
One thing’s for sure: if Colorado brings its trademark energy, defensive pressure, and rebounding grit, the home crowd in Boulder could have plenty to celebrate before the ball drops.