March stakes rise as Buffs welcome No. 20 Texas Tech

The Colorado Buffaloes look to capture another upset win against No.20-ranked Texas Tech. (Photo by Diego Martinez/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes don’t just need a win — they need a statement.

With three games remaining, Colorado’s NCAA Tournament hopes hang in the balance. But the opportunity for a resume-boosting upset has arrived at the perfect time.

The No. 20-ranked Texas Tech Lady Raiders (24-4, 11-4 Big 12) come to Boulder just as the Buffaloes are hitting their stride.

Colorado (19-8, 10-5) has won seven of its last eight games, fueled by dominant performances inside the friendly confines of the CU Events Center. The stretch includes an upset of No. 14 TCU and a 30-point rout of BYU.

Still, a win won’t come easy.

Texas Tech enters the matchup red hot, fresh off a 31-point dismantling of No. 15 Baylor. The Lady Raiders shot 56% from the field and held the Bears to just 36% shooting. Baylor’s 56 points marked its second-lowest scoring output in a loss this season.

“I was watching them…and they were just scoring at ease,” Colorado guard Zyanna Walker said. “I was trying to see what their habits are … and where I can just kind of try and top them … so I think it’ll be a great one.” 

The Lady Raiders hang their hats on defense. They allow the second-fewest points in the Big 12, hold opponents to 36% shooting from the field and force nearly 20 turnovers per game.

Colorado, however, is just as defense-oriented. The Buffaloes average 8.7 steals and force 18.4 turnovers per game, creating offense from their pressure on the other end.

“It’s two of the best defensive teams in the conference, and so I think it’s going to be a defensive battle,” Buffaloes’ head coach JR Payne said. “[Defense] is who we are … We have many players that love to defend, so I think we’ll see that on full display Saturday.” 

While defense sets the tone, Texas Tech’s offense identity starts in the backcourt. Guards Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins average a combined 31.6 of the Lady Raiders’ 73.8 points per game. Both shoot over 40% from the field, and Collins knocks down 41.3% from three.

However, a guard-heavy lineup can create opportunities on the glass. Texas Tech ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12 in rebounding at 35.8 per game. In their last game against another guard-driven team, Arizona, the Buffaloes limited the Wildcats to the fewest rebounds ever by an opponent in program history.

“[Rebounding is] part of our identity,” Colorado leading rebounder Anaelle Dutat said. “It doesn’t really matter what team is in front of us.” 

In control of their destiny, the Buffaloes can all but erase doubt with a signature win over Texas Tech. Tip-off from the CU Events Center set for 7 p.m. M.T. (ESPN+).