The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (19-12, 10-8 in Big 12) will open the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 women’s basketball championship against the University of Colorado, Boulder, on Thursday, Mar. 6, at 12:30 p.m. in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.
The No. 8-seeded Wildcats ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak. They seek revenge on the No. 9-seed Buffaloes.
History vs. Colorado
The two programs most recently faced off on Feb. 5, in the CU Events Center where Colorado came away victorious 56-47, bringing the series record to 21-10 in favor of the Buffaloes. The Wildcats will seek revenge in Thursday’s matchup as the team pushes for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Colorado players to watch
The Buffaloes are led by ninth-year head coach JR Payne. Payne has led Colorado to a record of 19-11 (9-9 in Big 12) after beating the University of Houston 66-58 in the first round of the Big 12 Championship. In last season’s NCAA Tournament, Colorado earned a No. 5 seed, making it its third straight appearance in the big dance.
Fifth-year senior Frida Formann leads the way for the Buffaloes. Formann averages 12.5 points, two rebounds and a steal a game while shooting at a 44.4% clip from deep. In an upset victory over no. 10 Kansas State on Jan. 25, Formann secured 14 points, going 5-7 from the field.
Jade Masogayo headlines the Colorado frontcourt, averaging 12.4 points, almost five rebounds and shooting 60.5% on the season. Last time out against Arizona, the 6-foot-3 forward finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.
Masogayo looks to dominate in Thursday’s duel after securing 14 points and six boards on 77.8% shooting in the first-round win over Houston.
Wildcats to watch
Ninth-year head coach Adia Barnes looks to extend the team’s four-game winning streak on Thursday. Barnes has led Arizona to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and seeks to make it five straight with a win against Colorado.
Jada Williams leads the Wildcat backcourt, averaging 12.7 points, dishing out 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals and shooting 87.1% from the free-throw line. In Williams’ last four games, she is putting up 14.3 points, two steals and shooting almost 42.2% in that span.
Fifth-year senior Isis Beh highlights the frontcourt for Arizona. In her last four games, Beh averaged 15.5 points, hauling in 6.3 boards and a block a game while going 51.2% from the floor.
Beh will match up against Masogayo in Thursday’s matinee, where both forwards look to dominate in the paint.
