The Colorado Buffaloes return for their second season of Big 12 play with a roster built around just three returning players. Coach JR Payne would love a little more continuity. But, two of her holdovers, Jade Masogayo and Kennedy Sanders, helped her close the deal in recruiting.
“I give a lot of credit to, actually, these two [they] did a tremendous job helping us recruit this past spring,” Payne said. “So, we had signed a really good freshman class and then this past spring we signed five transfers and it was a very much a collective effort from the staff.”
The Buffs are looking for a better season in their second year in the Big 12. Here is a preview of the Colorado Buffaloes.
Colorado Buffaloes
2024-25: 21-13, 9-9 in Big 12, ninth place. Reached Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals before losing to TCU. Lost to Gonzaga in the second round of the WBIT.
Head coach: JR Payne is entering her ninth season at Colorado. She is 164-116 with CU. She has led the program to three NCAA Tournament berths, two WNIT berths and one WBIT berth. Her program has reached the postseason five straight campaigns.
Big 12 history: Colorado was an original member of the Big 12 after the Big Eight Conference and parts of the Southwest Conference merged. The Buffs moved to the Pac-12 in 2011 and returned to the Big 12 last season after the Pac-12 broke up. The program won the 1997 Big 12 Tournament title.
West Virginia Schedule: Click here for a complete 2025-26 Big 12 schedule.
Colorado 2025-26 Roster Review
Gone: F Ayianna Johnson (5.0 ppg), G Frida Formann (12.5 ppg), F Erin Powell (2.1 ppg), G Sara-Rose Smith (4.2 ppg), G Lova Lagerlid, F Nyamer Diew (7.4 ppg), F Lior Garzon (11.2 ppg), G Kindyll Wetta (6.1 ppg), F Tabitha Betson (5.4 ppg), G Johanna Teder, F Grace Oliver (3.8 ppg)
Returning: G Kennedy Sanders (4.9 ppg), F JoJo Nworie (2.5 ppg), F Jade Masogayo (12.5 ppg)
Incoming transfers: F Anaelle Dutat (7.9 ppg at Rhode Island), G Maeve McErlane (missed 2025-25 due to injury at DePaul), G Claire O’Connor (7.7 ppg at Gonzaga), G Zyanna Walker (8.2 ppg at Kansas State), G Desiree Wooten (11.5 ppg at North Texas)
Incoming freshmen: F Sophie Zadel, C Jade Crook, G Erianna Gooden, F Logyn Greer, G Isa Hämäläinen
Projected Starting Lineup
G Zyanna Walker: She was an all-Big 12 defensive player at Kansas State.
G Desiree Wooten: The only transfer that averaged double figures last season.
G Claire O’Connor: Gonzaga is a quality women’s program and O’Connor should be ready to contribute.
F Jade Masogayo: The one holdover guaranteed to have a starting job.
F Anaelle Dutat: In addition to nearly eight points she averaged nearly eight rebounds per game last season.
Starting Lineup Crashers
G Kennedy Sanders: A holdover with potential, can she overcome Wooten or O’Connor for a starting job?
F JoJo Nworie: The team doesn’t have many experienced true forwards. She’ll be a factor in the rotation.
Lineup Competition
The starting lineup feels solid. Walker would have started at Kansas State had she stayed. She’ll bring defensive backbone. Wooten could be a solid scorer at the high major level. O’Connor is a solid outside shooter. Masogayo and Dutat could form a deceptively solid tandem inside.
The depth beyond that is worrisome. Sanders and Nworie will play a factor. McErlane needs to be a factor for the backcourt to have some additional depth. The freshman class is large and at least one or two players will need to contribute. Gooden has the most accomplished prep resume. Crook has an impressive body of work in Australia.
Early Prediction
The Buffs will get an early test on the road at Louisville. The Texas A&M game will also be a quality opportunity. The Buffs are probably on the outside looking in when it comes to regular season contention. But, how they finish in league play will depend on player development behind the starting lineup. If that group develops fast, this could be a Top 8 team in league play.
