They have one of the best forwards in the Big 12. They have a lineage of national prominence and success. They have a No. 23 ranking and a tough conference schedule to prove their case for the NCAA Tournament.
The Colorado women’s basketball team never left, but the Buffaloes are back.
And now is when things get interesting. Coming off a 70-58 rout of Missouri in the conference opener Wednesday, the Buffs (12-2) face their first tough Big 12 test this season when they host Iowa State (11-3) on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Back in the 1990s, the Buffs rolled. Under Ceal Barry, the team won no fewer than 22 games a season between 1991-97. They reached the 30-win mark for the only time in team history in 1994-95 — also one of the three seasons the Buffs went undefeated in conference.
Since the 2004-05 season, the Buffs are 12-37 in the Big 12. But no one who knows anything about basketball thought CU would stay down. Not a team that has qualified for 12 NCAA Tournaments, six Sweet 16s and three Elite Eights since 1974.
This season, under coach Kathy McConnell-Miller, the team has bounced back. Gaining entrance to The Associated Press top 25 is evidence. But the Buffs will have to make their mark in the Big 12, one of the toughest in the nation. Through nonconference play, no Big 12 team was below .500, and eight teams were 11-2 or better.
Fortunately, the Buffs have Jackie McFarland, the third-highest scorer in the Big 12. McFarland on Wednesday passed Jeannie Raikes (1976-80) for 12th on CU’s all-time scoring list. McFarland’s 1,337 points trail only Diane Hiemstra (1,376, 1981-84) and Mandy Nightingale (1,386, 1998-2002) before entering the top 10.
Yet, oddly, CU remains unranked in the national coaches poll. The Buffs can turn coaches’ heads starting Sunday against the Cyclones.
AROUND TOWN
Big weekend for college hockey fans
College hockey’s Frozen Four is three months away. Better start working on endurance now. Area ice fans can choose from six games this weekend, as Denver, Colorado College and Air Force all host two-game series. The third-ranked Pioneers play WCHA rival Wisconsin today and Saturday — both games air on FSN. No. 4 Colorado College hosts a WCHA showdown against Alaska-Anchorage. The Tigers swept Wisconsin in a two-game set last weekend. Air Force will hold down the Atlantic Hockey Association with a pair of games against visiting Rochester Tech. Both teams are knocking on the national polls, but looking to bust in.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Australian Open starts year off
The first major sports event of the year starts Monday in Melbourne when the Australian Open kicks off its two-week spell. If NASCAR can schedule the Daytona 500 as early as mid-February, surely tennis can field its first of four Grand Slams in January. To keep up, ESPN2 will air extensive coverage beginning Monday at 1:30 a.m. Or, you can catch up later at 1 p.m. Also, ESPN Classic will air old Aussie Open highlights starting Monday at 1 p.m. The Aussie Open started to become a Grand Slam in the early 1980s, so those throwback matches should include wooden rackets and headbands and a bleeping John McEnroe.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Oatmeal festival in Lafayette
If ever there were a reason for a party, it’s oatmeal. Lafayette will celebrate oatmeal the civic way, with a festival. The Lafayette Oatmeal Festival-the only event of its kind-on Saturday will feature, among other oat-inspired events and tastings, the Quicker Quaker 5K Run/Walk. The race is a Bolder Boulder qualifier that runs through town near Waneka Reservoir. Also check out the health fair at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center. Find more information at discoverlafayette.com.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Eagles go for attendance record
The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League on Saturday will set the North American minor-league hockey record for most consecutive games sold out. The Eagles will set the mark, coincidentally, when they host second-year franchise and crosstown rival Rocky Mountain at 7 p.m, at Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center. Here’s to 173 more.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Rocket should listen to Goose
Roger Clemens’ creepy taped phone call with former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee enlightened no one in the pitcher’s ongoing steroids scandal. Yet he played all 17 minutes of the awkward phone call during a news conference. Really, there’s only one bit of advice Clemens should follow, care of new Hall of Famer Rich “Goose” Gossage: “If you did it, the best thing to do is come clean. Fess up and life will go on,” Gossage told Bloomberg News Service.
