Buffs are carrying confidence into Vegas

Sixth-seeded CU set to face No. 11 UW in first round

Before practice on Monday, Colorado women’s basketball coach JR Payne looked across the court to see senior Mya Hollingshed talking to her teammates in a huddle.

“I couldn’t hear her on the other side of the gym, but when they came in I said, ‘I don’t know what Mya said, but I’m sure it was spot on, so do what she said and let’s have a great practice.’

“That kind of speaks to the fact that I have a tremendous amount of trust in our upperclassmen and they are prepared and they will make sure as a group that we’re all prepared.”

Payne, Hollingshed and the rest of the Buffaloes (10-9, 8-8 Pac-12) are carrying confidence into the Pac-12 Tournament, which begins Wednesday night at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Seeded sixth, the Buffs will face 11thseeded Washington (6-13, 3-13) in the opening round at 9 p.m. MT.

CU has won four consecutive games and has its highest seed for this event since going in at No. 4 in 2013.

“I definitely think we’re more equipped to make a deeper run than we ever have been,” Payne said.

They are equipped to stick round for a few days for several reasons, including Hollingshed, who averages 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and was named firstteam All-pac-12.

The Buffs are also balanced in their attack and loaded with maturity and leadership.

“We’re all really excited,” junior Aubrey Knight said. “We’re given an opportunity here to do really well in this tournament and we all kind of have the mindset of we’re coming in to win this tournament,