KANSAS CITY - Colorado women’s basketball had a strong presence at Monster Energy Big 12 Media Day on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the T-Mobile Center, with head coach JR Payne joined by Zyanna Walker, Logyn Greer and Aniya' Foy.
Payne kept circling back to the same two traits when talking about this group: toughness and versatility.
"I really love how this roster came together," Payne said. "We wanted to add versatility, people who can play the style we want to play: tough, physical, aggressive. So, we did that."
For Foy, a sophomore guard entering her first season at Colorado after her rookie year at Kansas State, the path to Boulder was helped along by Walker. The two already had a connection from Kansas State, and Foy said that familiarity mattered in her decision.
"Zy was a big piece of me coming to Colorado," Foy said. "Since I've been here, I have learned a lot not only from Zy but from my teammates and Coach J."
Foy also pointed to the confidence she has built during the offseason, saying Payne and her teammates helped her grow into a bigger role with the Buffs.
Walker and Greer also spent the offseason sharpening specific parts of their games and, just as importantly, finding their voices.
Walker said the focus was on cleaning up the details and making the right decisions.
"Being more efficient all around, making the right plays, the right reads," Walker said. "I am a leader, more experienced. So I need to be able to give my best every night."
Greer said her work centered on becoming a better shooter and becoming more comfortable speaking up.
"Perimeter shooting was a big thing for me and being more efficient. Also, just growing my voice as a young person on this team," Greer added.
Colorado’s offseason also included a trip to Portugal, where the Buffs picked up 10 extra practices and, just as Payne stressed, a chance to build something beyond the court. The players said the experience gave them time to connect in a way that regular workouts usually can’t.
"Our team really bonded. It's one thing to be able to play basketball together, but when you travel to a different part of the world, the bonding that happens is really hard to replicate anywhere else," expressed Payne
Payne also shared the main stage at Big 12 Media Day with men’s coach Tad Boyle, speaking about Colorado basketball’s place in the league and the program’s history. She called out the legacy of Ceal Berry and the work it has taken to push the women’s program back toward contender status.
"The historical success that the women's basketball program had with Ceal Berry, then the challenge of being able to build our program back into a contender over those years was really special to us," Payne said.
Colorado will be back on the floor Tuesday, Oct. 27, for an exhibition against Adams State at the CU Events Center at 6 p.m. The Buffs open the regular season at home against Morgan State on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
In Other News...
Colorado Opens With One Big Question Around Its New-Look Roster
Colorados men's basketball team spent Big 12 Media Day talking through a roster that looks very different from a year ago, with head coach Tad Boyle joined by Josiah Sanders and Barrington Hargress to help sketch out the early shape of the 2026-27 group. Boyle spent much of the day on the blend of new faces and returning pieces, while Sanders and Hargress offered a players view of how leadership and chemistry are developing before the season gets going.
What stands out for Colorado is how much of the conversation still centers on identity, not just talent. Freshman guard Alex Dickeson, graduate forward Justin Neely and sophomore forward Goc Malual are among the names giving this roster a new look, but the bigger question is how quickly that mix settles into something cohesive under Boyle. Sanders and Hargress both sounded focused on the day-to-day work, which is usually the first clue whether a team with this many moving parts is going to come together in time. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Has A Defensive Strength Its Record Shouldn't Allow
Colorados defense has been one of the few things keeping the Buffaloes competitive through a rough start, and the production has been impossible to ignore even if the record says otherwise. Through six games, the unit has piled up enough disruption to lead the Big 12 in tackles for loss and sit among the nations best in that category, a striking contrast to a 2-4 team trying to find its footing.
The latest flashpoint came from Santana Hopper, whose pressure-filled performance helped underline just how much havoc Colorado can create up front. Deion Sanders has praised the effort, but he has also pointed to the same familiar concern: the defense has had a way of loosening up late in games, leaving the Buffs to wonder how much of this strength can truly show up in the final result. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Could Get A Crucial Pass Rush Boost At Oklahoma State
Colorados defense may be getting a timely lift as it heads into a matchup with an Oklahoma State team that can stress opponents through the air and has done a solid job keeping its quarterback upright. Deion Sanders said defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr. is expected to be a full participant, which matters for a Buffaloes front that can use all the disruption it can get against one of the more dangerous passing attacks on the schedule.
Lester has been one of Colorados key pass-rushing options this season, and the Buffs have already seen how much his presence can change the feel of the line. After being slowed by injury-related limitations in recent action, his availability gives Colorado a chance to pressure Oklahoma State in ways it will need if it wants to keep that offense from settling in and controlling the game. [Read more 🡒]