Buffaloes look to make statement against No. 22 Louisville

Colorado Buffaloes guard Erianna Gooden has impressed in early competitions, and she'll be needed against the Louisville Cardinals this Wednesday. (Photo by Tyler Phillips/Sko Buffs Sports)

Although it's Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball’s second game of the season, NCAA Tournament implications could already be on the line.

Then-No. 24 Louisville was the Buffaloes’ first loss at home in 2024. However, CU didn’t face them until game nine. On Wednesday, they head to Kentucky to face the now No. 22-ranked Cardinals. 

The Cardinals were picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), with two players named to the preseason All-ACC team. 

Returning sophomore star guard Tajianna Roberts is averaging 14.5 points per game while shooting a blazing 40% from beyond the arc. Alongside Roberts, Saint Joseph’s transfer Laura Zeigler is averaging a double-double with 12.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 center is a rebounding machine, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game for her career. 

The Buffs must lock down Roberts on the perimeter and box out Zeigler if they want to hang with the Cardinals. In their season opener against New Mexico, the Buffs dominated the boards with 48 rebounds, including 16 on the offensive glass. Last year against Louisville, the Buffaloes were out-rebounded, hauling in just 25 boards. 

In their season opener against the top-ranked UConn Huskies, the Cardinals trailed most of the game but cut a 20-point deficit in half late with a 10-0 run in the fourth. However, the Huskies didn’t sweat as the Cardinals took a 13-point loss to the Huskies, but not without Ziegler notching 16 points and 18 rebounds.

The near-comeback shows the team’s overall potential, and they got it together against the Northern Kentucky Norse. 

Louisville defeated the Norse in its second game, but had to be propelled by a late-game surge. Clinging to a three-point halftime lead, the Cardinals shot a lights-out 63.9% and scored 33 fourth-quarter points to run away with a 28-point victory. 

Last season, Louisville made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7-seed before falling to the same team that eliminated the Buffs from the Big 12 tournament, the TCU Horned Frogs.

While it’s still early in the season, ESPN’s Bracketology currently has Colorado in the “next four out” category, which could result in the program missing the tournament for the second straight year. Meanwhile, Louisville is predicted as a No. 4 seed. 

Against Louisville, the Buffaloes have an opportunity to put themselves on the map by upsetting the Cardinals on their home court. Head coach JR Payne’s rebuilt squad boasts the depth and talent to make a March run, but this match will serve as an early litmus test for how far the Buffs can go. 

Tip-off from KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is set for 5 p.m. MT on ACC Network Extra.