MANHATTAN, Kan. – 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, itap 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.”
Itap 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 itap 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 thatap why itap even more important that we did get to host, that we do need a sellout and things like that because thatap the advantage that you do get at the end of the day.”
Regardless of where this game is being played, itap 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 then-No. 1 LSU – the defending national champ – and vaulted all the way to No. 3 in the national rankings. The Buffs also had a four-game 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 runner-up – 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, K-State is No. 15 and CU is No. 16.
“I just think that we match up really well,” Gregory said. “I think itap 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 itap more fun when they’re cheering for you, not against you. But itap noise either way. Itap just a lot of noise.”
(5) CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. (4) Kansas State Wildcats
TIPOFF: Sunday, noon MT, Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan.
TV/RADIO: ESPN/630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 23-9 (11-7 Pac-12); Kansas State 26-7 (13-5 Big 12)
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 8th season (141-102; 242-215 career). Kansas State — Jeff Mittie, 10th season (190-134; 644-369 career).
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — G Frida Formann, 5-11, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, .448 FG%, .427 3PT%, .921 FT%); C Quay Miller, 6-3, Sr. (9.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .330 3PT%); G Maddie Nolan, 5-11, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .443 3PT%); G Jaylyn Sherrod, 5-7, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.2 spg, .450 FG%); C Aaronette Vonleh, 6-3, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .557 FG%); G Kindyll Wetta, 5-9, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.7 spg, .493 FG%). Kansas State — G Brylee Glenn, 6-0, Jr. (6.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg); G Jaelyn Glenn, 6-1, Jr. (7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg); G Gabby Gregory, 6-0, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg); C Ayoka Lee, 6-6, Sr. (20.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, .621 FG%); G Serena Sundell, 6-1, Jr. (12.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.5 apg, .535 FG%, .388 3PT%); G Zyanna Walker, 5-8, Fr. (7.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
NOTES: The winner will play March 30 in Albany, N.Y., in the Sweet 16 against either Iowa or West Virginia. … Colorado is seeking a second straight trip to the Sweet 16. K-State is looking to get there for the first time since 2002. … The Buffs are 20-15 all-time in the tournament; K-State is 15-17 (8-2 in Manhattan). … CU is 4-8 against top-25 teams this season, while K-State is 5-2. … K-State leads the all-time series between the former Big Eight/Big 12 rivals, 35-33, including 18-13 in Manhattan. This will be the first meeting since Feb. 16, 2011. … CU ranks 12th nationally in assists per game (18.8), while K-State is 13th (18.7). … In her last four games (all since breaking her nose), Sherrod has averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 assists, while hitting 19-of-21 free throws (.905). … Formann needs one 3-pointer to set a new CU career record (she has 257, tied with Bianca Smith from 2006-10). Formann could also set a single-season record. She has 79 3-pointers, three behind Smith’s record of 82 in 2009-10. … Lee is the only player in the country averaging at least 20 points and shooting at least .620. … Lee and Sundell were both first-team All-Big 12, while Gregory earned honorable mention. Lee also made the all-defensive team.
