Buffs, Wildcats took similar paths to tourney
Going into Selection Sunday, Colorado was projected as a No. 4 seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament, while Kansas State was projected as a No. 5.
When the bracket was announced, however, it was K-state landing the No. 4 seed and CU at No. 5.
There wasn’t much that separated the resumes of the two teams, who will meet Sunday in the second round of the tournament. And, it’s not lost on the Buffs that this game could have been in Boulder, instead of at Bramlage Coliseum.
“We knew that we were definitely in a battle for that four seed,” CU guard Frida Formann said. “Not that they don’t deserve it at all. I think they had a great season. But of course we wanted to host, so now being in this environment, we do feel like we have something to prove, of course.”
It’s not necessarily proving something to K-state as it is showing that they were worthy of a top-four seed and the best way to do that is to beat the Wildcats.
“I just know it’s gonna be really competitive and knowing that they hosted instead of us is going to add a little bit of a chip on our shoulder,” CU forward Quay Miller said. “I know especially for (point guard Jaylyn Sherrod), when she’s in that mindset, it changes the mindset and perspective from everybody.”
Kansas State announced Saturday that the game has been sold out.
The Wildcats are thrilled to be hosting, but don’t fault CU for having some extra juice as a No. 5 seed.
“I totally see where they’d be coming from with that,” K-state senior Gabby Gregory said. “If we were on the other side, getting the five seed, we would feel the same way. I think that’s why it’s even more important that we did get to host, that we do need a sellout and things like that because that’s the advantage that you do get at the end of the day.”
Regardless of where this game is being played, it’s fitting that the Buffs and Wildcats are battling for a spot in the Sweet 16. Their seasons have been similar and they’re both loaded with experience.
“Very similar (team),” Miller said. “I think that we match up well with them and I’m excited to see how this plays out.”
CU began the year at No. 20 in the Associated Press rankings, started 15-1, including a win against thenno. 1 LSU — the defending national champ — and vaulted all the way to No. 3 in the national rankings. The Buffs also had a fourgame losing streak late in the year, went 5-6 in their last 11 games before the NCAA Tournament and landed at No. 17 in the AP rankings.
K-state began the year unranked, but receiving votes. The Wildcats started 20-1, including a win against then-no. 2 Iowa — last year’s national runnerup — and vaulted all the way to No. 2 in the AP poll. The Wildcats went 5-6 in their last 11 games before the NCAA tourney to land at No. 15 in the AP.
In the NET rankings, Kstate is No. 15 and CU is No. 16.
“I just think that we match up really well,” Gregory said.
“I think it’s going to be a really good game. They play kind of similar to how we do. They do a lot of things that we like to do. I think they’ve had a really good season, but so have we. I’m really excited for tomorrow.”
Both teams are good defensively, feature firepower on offense, share the ball well and have upper classmen who fill the majority of minutes on the court.
Individual matchups will be important in this one especially at center and point guard.
K-state has one of the best centers in the country in Ayoka Lee, while CU counters with another top center, Aaronette Vonleh. Both teams have exceptional point guards in Jaylyn Sherrod for CU and Serena Sundell for K-state.
With two teams so evenly matched, it could be the home court advantage that makes a difference. CU, however, isn’t fazed by tough road environments.
“A big crowd is always good,” Formann said. “You want to play on a big stage, and of course it’s more fun when they’re cheering for you, not against you. But it’s noise either way. It’s just a lot of noise.”