Buffaloes return home riding momentum to face No. 20 Mountaineers

Colorado enters the matchup seeking its second win against a ranked opponent against West Virginia. (Photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

As the Colorado Buffaloes return home to face the West Virginia Mountaineers (18-5, 8-3 Big 12), they have something to hang their hat on. 

The Buffaloes (15-7, 6-4) finally closed out a game on the road. 

It’s been an underlying theme this season: success at home, disappointment on the road. A loss to then No.-22-ranked Louisville cost Colorado a Quad 1 win early in the season, when a strong fourth quarter would’ve captured a victory. However, in the Sunflower State, that narrative changed.

Last Thursday, Colorado fended off a late-game comeback against the Kansas State Wildcats. On Sunday, CU closed out the Kansas Jayhawks in overtime after missing six straight free throws that could have iced the game in regulation. 

“We are being more intentional about execution down the stretch,” head coach JR Payne said. “Different lineups at times, but also just making sure we’re all on the same page.” 

Now, Colorado returns home to face a No. 20-ranked Mountaineers squad, seeking its season’s second ranked victory. 

On the stat sheet, the Buffaloes and Mountaineers are similar squads. Both teams are defense-centric, coming in at fifth and sixth in the Big 12 in points allowed per game. Each team is balanced as well, having three or more players averaging double figures. 

The difference between Colorado and West Virginia’s scorers, however, is that the Mountaineers boast three players averaging 12 points per game. While West Virginia is without a set-in-stone star, the closest to that mark would be forward Kierra Wheeler. 

The 6-foot-1 senior averages 13.6 points on 52.2% shooting while hauling in 7.4 rebounds per game. Limiting Wheeler’s impact on the boards will be critical for the Buffaloes’ frontcourt, as she averages 3.4 offensive rebounds per matchup.

In the Buffaloes’ matchup a season ago, Colorado turned the ball over 30 times in a victory. Once again, West Virginia is keen on taking the ball away, averaging the most steals (11.9) and opponent turnovers (24.0). 

The Buffaloes must maintain their clean home record in conference play and their overall 11-1 mark at home, while West Virginia aims to extend its two-game road winning streak. Although Colorado enters with momentum, so does West Virginia. 

The Mountaineers are coming off a 10-point win over No. 14 Baylor, a team that defeated Colorado by four in Waco. The Buffaloes will have to use their home-court advantage to upset the ranked squad.

“At home, it’s always different than away,” guard Desiree Wooten said. “You can definitely feel how the atmosphere is different. You’re at home, you don’t want to lose at home.” 

Per ESPN’s March Madness Bracketology, the Mountaineers are projected as a 5-seed, while Colorado is still on the outside looking in. The Buffaloes sit in the “First Four Out” category, awaiting resume-boosting wins. 

The Buffaloes already proved they can compete with the Big 12’s heavyweights at home. Defeating Oklahoma State and No. 19-ranked Iowa State prior proves so. With Colorado knocking on the door of its first NCAA Tournament berth in two seasons, an upset will be needed on Wednesday.

Tip-off against the Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).