What to know about No. 3 Colorado’s historic matchup with No. 5 UCLA
This year’s Colorado women’s basketball team is no stranger to playing well in big games. Through 16 contests, the No. 3 Buffs (15-1, 5-0 Pac-12) have beaten three ranked opponents — LSU, Utah and Stanford — and are now looking to down No. 5 UCLA on Friday.
The Bruins (14-1, 3-1) dropped their first game of the season on Sunday to new-No. 6 USC, but remain one of the conference’s deepest and most talented teams. UCLA, like the Buffs, reached the Sweet 16 last season before falling to South Carolina.
Tipoff between Colorado and UCLA is set for 6 p.m. MT (Pac-12 Network) at the CU Events Center in Boulder.
Here’s what else you should know about Colorado’s huge Friday night matchup against the Bruins:
First-ever top-five matchup in CU women's hoops history
Also, Friday's game vs. UCLA will be the first time Colorado WBB has ever been involved in a Top-5 matchup – regardless of where the game was played. They're kind of a big deal right now #cubuffs
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) January 15, 2024
Pac-12 standings
For the first time ever the Buffs are all alone at the top of the Pac-12! #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/WlOcRc5GhH
— Colorado Women's Basketball 🦬 (@CUBuffsWBB) January 17, 2024
Three John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List players
Friday’s battle features three players who were named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List: UCLA sophomore center and Colorado native Lauren Betts, Bruins sophomore guard Kiki Rice and CU senior point guard Jaylyn Sherrod.
The award is given annually to the best player in college women’s basketball.
UCLA player who isn't being talked about enough: Londynn Jones
Jones, a 5-foot-4 sophomore guard, ranks third on her team with 13.3 points per game and second in 3-point shooting (38.7%). Her ability to make shots from anywhere on the court should challenge Colorado.
Colorado player who isn't being talked about enough: Quay Miller
Jaylyn Sherrod and Aaronette Vonleh have garnered most of the attention this season for Colorado, but senior forward Quay Miller is quietly having another impressive year. She’ll enter Friday looking for her fourth straight double-double.
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READ: How to buy tickets for No. 3 Colorado vs. No. 5 UCLA
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