Colorado is set to begin the 2026-27 women’s basketball season at home, welcoming Morgan State to the CU Events Center in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m.
The Buffs already got a tune-up under their belt, rolling past Adams State 100-39 in an exhibition on Oct. 27. Colorado spread the offense around in that one, with 12 different players getting into the scoring column.
That opener comes after a strong 2025-26 campaign that extended Colorado’s run of 20-win seasons to five straight. The Buffs went 22-12 overall and 11-7 in Big 12 play, finishing sixth in the league before their season ended in Nashville with a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois.
Even with that track record, Colorado was picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 preseason poll heading into this year. Senior guard Zyanna Walker also earned individual recognition, landing on the 2026 All-Big 12 Preseason Team and being named one of 50 players on the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Watch List.
JR Payne enters her 11th season leading the program, carrying a 186-128 record as Colorado’s eighth head women’s basketball coach. She has guided the Buffs to four NCAA appearances, two WNIT trips and one WBIT appearance, and her contract has been extended through the 2031 season.
Colorado brings back seven players from last year’s roster: senior guards Zyanna Walker, Kennedy Sanders, Claire O'Connor and Maeve McErlane; sophomore forwards Logyn Greer and Sophie Zadel; and sophomore center Jade Crook. The Buffs also added seven newcomers, including five transfers and two freshmen.
The transfer group features graduate center Anete Adler from Boston, junior guard Brooke Walker from Utah, sophomore guard Mecailin Marshall from Tulane, sophomore forward Kira Reynolds from UT-Arlington and sophomore guard Aniya' Foy from Kansas State. The freshmen are guard Lauren Harris from Yuba City, Calif.
/Faith Christian H.S. and forward Cail Jahnke from Minneapolis, Minn. /St.
Michael-Albertville H.S.
Walker was Colorado’s steals leader last season with 70, an average of 2.0 per game. She also posted 21 double-digit scoring games and finished with 11.3 points per contest.
Her best scoring outing came at Kansas on Feb. 1, when she put up a career-high 24 points. At season’s end, she was named to the All-Big 12 Defensive Team and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Morgan State arrives in Boulder after opening its season Monday with a 103-47 win over Washington Adventist. Five Bears reached double figures, with Dru Carlton leading the way with 14 points. Morgan State shot 43.4% from the field, 28.6% from three and 52.9% at the free-throw line.
The Bears are coached by Nadine Domond, now in her second year at the helm. In her first season, Morgan State went 5-26, and the program was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll.
This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Morgan State.
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Even with the balanced effort, one phase kept standing out in a different way. The linebackers brought energy and production in the middle, and special teams repeatedly helped tilt field position by pinning Kansas State deep, giving Colorado a chance to play on its terms more often than not. The corners, though, were still part of a shakier picture, leaving a reminder that even a full-team win can come with one unit still demanding attention. [Read more 🡒]