Pac 12 Preview: Colorado

Last Season:
After winning their first 9 games Colorado ended up 19-15, 6-12 in League play. The Buffs did win 2 of 3 in the WNIT to end the season. Average attendance was 2,507.



The Coaching Staff:
Linda Lappe will be in her 5th season and two years ago Colorado was 25-7. Lappe is a former Colorado player.

Jenni Benningfield is in her 2nd season as an Assistant. She is a former star player and Vanderbilt and played in the WNBA.

Kelly Rae Finley is in her 3rd year as an Assistant having spent the 4 previous years at Harvard.

Needing no introduction is the newest addition to the Buff Coaching staff and that is Jamie Carey. The former Stanford and Texas star had been working for USA Basketball.



Losses:
Brittany Wilson was a starting guard averaging 11 points per game.

Rachel Hargis started most of the games at Center averaging 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, but in just 15 minutes.

Ashley Wilson started half the games at guard scoring almost 8 points per game.



The Schedule:
Not strong with North Dakota, Iowa and Missouri the tough games. But, they could play two tougher teams in the WNIT tournament after North Dakota.



Additions:
Zoe Correal is a 6-4 Post from Salesian of Richmond. At this point Zoe is a good defensive player, but not a big scorer.

Brecca Thomas is a 5-5 Guard from Texas. Becca was ranked # 59 by Blue Star. She is fine passing Point Guard who can drive and score.

Alina Hartman is a 6-0 Forward from Germany. Hartman has played on several of Germany’s youth National teams and is a good three point shooter.
Bri Watts is a 6-2 RS Frosh Post from Fresno who didn’t play last season.



The Team:
Arielle Roberson is a 6-1 Jr Forward who last season started all but one game averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. She shot 46% from the floor. Roberson is a very aggressive rebounder and scorer and one of the top players in the Pac 12. She comes from a very athletic family as Dad and Mom were college athletes, two sisters were college athletes and a brother is in the NBA.

Jen Resse is a 6-2 Sr Center who last season averaged 12 point and 6 rebounds per game. She missed a few games with an injury that lingered. Despite that she shot 48% from the floor. Jen was a 2 time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year and a Parade All American. Jen is a very strong post presence.

Lexy Kresl is a 5-11 Sr Guard who averaged 11 points per game and led the team in assists. Lexy has 124 threes in her first 3 seasons.

Jamee Swan is a 6-2 Jr who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds per game last season Swan was the # 38 player out of HS and she is strong and tough. Jamee was the Arizona HS Shot Put Champion.

Jasmine Sborov is a 6-0 Sr Guard who played in 14 games last season before missing the final 20 with an injury. Jasmine averaged 8 points and almost 5 rebounds. She was the MVP of her HS team all 4 years. Also she has High Jumped a good 5-6 while in HS.

Lauren Huggins is a 6-1 RS Soph Wing who was the Buffs top three shooter at 36% making 36. She averaged 5 points last season in 16 minutes per game. Lauren was # 64 out of HS.

Haley Smith is a 6-1 Soph Wing who averaged 18 minutes and 3.5 points per game. Haley is majoring in Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Rounding out the returnees are Zoe Beard-Fails and Desiree Harris. Zoe is a 6-2 Soph Forward and Desiree a 5-8 Soph Guard.

Frosh Hartman and Thomas figure to play in the rotation.



Predictions:
A very good solid team, definitely a possible top 6 finisher, but so many good teams at least on paper this season.



2015 Recruiting:
Alixis Robinson 5-10 PG, KY 4 star, Blue Star # 29

Kennedy Leonard 5-8 PG, TX 4 star. Leonard had an outstanding summer and will zoom up in the rankings.

Monica Burich, 6-1 F, MN 4 star