How Colorado stacks up for the NCAA Tournament

Colorado Buffaloes volleyball is still in solid Big 12 standing after back-to-back losses in Kansas. (Photo by Kekoa Brown/Sko Buffs Sports)

Colorado Buffaloes volleyball is back at the CU Events Center after a sluggish road trip from Kansas, where the black and gold lost both games to KU and Kansas State. The then-No. 20 team dropped two spots, which has now been replaced by then No. 23 Baylor (now No. 21) and then No. 22 Minnesota (now No. 20). 

Although the Buffs are now 20-5 and 10-3 Big 12, they remain on the conference podium. They are second in conference play, the top contender being Arizona State (20-3, 11-1 Big 12), who CU plays at the CU Events Center this Saturday, hoping for redemption against the Sun Devils.

The burning question that lingers over any CU volleyball fan is whether the Buffs can make it to the NCAA tournament in December. The answer is: yes, more than likely.

Winning the tournament, however, is less likely for the Buffaloes. Historically speaking, the Buffs have never passed the Sweet 16, so advancing would be momentous for the black and gold.

While the Buffs are not predicted to be a top-16 team according to NCAA reporter Michella Chester’s midseason bracket predictions, they are still expected to be a part of the remaining 31 invitational spots for the tournament.

On Chester’s predictions, TCU (18-7, 8-5 Big 12) is expected to take the Big 12, although the Horned Frogs are a mid-field team. In 2024, TCU made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Buffs did not make the tournament in 2024, but they are expected to be a No. 5 seed this season.

For the Buffs to secure a higher seed come December, they need to prove to the AVCA coaches that they can handle their remaining conference opponents. What better time to do that than this week against No. 16 TCU and No. 8 ASU?

The Buffs need to lock down their defense against the two teams that have a .240 and .263 hitting percentage. Even though it’s clear that pin attacker Ana Burvilović is a key player when it comes to offense, the team won’t survive if their opponents can solely shut her down.

This was evident against KU and K-State, as Burvilović had only nine kills on the Jayhawks and 10 versus the Wildcats.

The bracket for the tournament will be released on Nov. 30, but until then, the Buffs face the Horned Frogs this Thursday in Boulder or on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MT.