As good as the Colorado women’s basketball team has been this season, the defense hasn’t always been up to the Buffaloes’ usual standard.
In recent weeks, however, the Buffaloes have gotten back to playing lock-down defense, which has been the identity of the program for the past few years.
A dominant weekend in Washington on the defensive end helped the Buffs to a sweep and another move up in the national rankings.
On Monday, CU (19-3, 9-2 Pac-12) moved up two spots to No. 4 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings. It is the Buffs’ 13th consecutive week in the top 10, matching the third-longest streak in program history.
South Carolina remained a unanimous No. 1, while Iowa moved up to No. 2 and North Carolina State moved up to No. 3. Ohio State is just behind the Buffs at No. 4. Stanford is at No. 6, followed by Texas, Kansas State, UCLA and USC rounding out the top 10.
Also from the Pac-12, Oregon State moved up one spot to No. 17 and Utah remained at No. 20.
CU’s latest move comes after a weekend in which it put its dominant defense on display.
The Buffs held Washington State and Washington to 57 points each. WSU hit just 35.3% from the floor, including 26.7% from the arc. Washington finished at 31.8% overall and 20% from 3-point range.
“I’d say the last couple of weeks we’ve really tried to simplify everything,” CU head coach JR Payne said.
CU’s coaches have always relied heavily on scouting reports in trying to take away an opponents’ strength. But, Payne said the Buffs have prioritized creating a game plan around its own strengths.
“I think we’ve just really tried to simplify what we’re doing, how we want to do it, and really at the same time trying to really prioritize communication,” Payne said. “And I think that’s helped us.”
Just a few weeks ago, the Buffs were 13-1 but ranked near the bottom of the Pac-12 in points allowed (64.4 per game), 3-point percentage defense (33.9%) and field goal percentage defense (41.6%).
In the last eight games, however, the Buffs have allowed just 60.6 points, while opponents are shooting 36.5% from the floor and 28.5% from 3-point range.
Payne said the simplification of the defense was prompted by the players.
“They wanted to simplify things and they communicated that with us and we’re doing that,” Payne said. “I hope they appreciate that we’re really trying to be flexible and figure out what does this team need to really be able to go out and get the job done? And we’re trying to give them that.
“I think that shows a great relationship between players and coaches that they can communicate that and we can say, ‘OK, we’re going to do everything we can to give you the right amount of information — maybe not too much; maybe just enough.’ I think that’s been good for us.”
CU’s recent stretch of dominant defense includes a 61-48 win at Oregon on Jan. 28 when the Buffs held the Ducks to 31.6% from the floor and 12.5% from 3-point range. CU will host the Ducks on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Notable
USC’s JuJu Watkins was named the Pac-12 player of the week and freshman of the week after averaging 40.0 points and 7.5 rebounds last weekend, including 51 points in an upset of Stanford. It is the second time Watkins has been player of the week and 11th time she’s been freshman of the week. … CU moved up two spots to No. 15 in the NET rankings.