
Yes, Colorado does have a women's basketball team. The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team represents the University of Colorado Boulder and competes in the NCAA Division I. The team is currently coached by JR Payne, who was hired prior to the 2016-17 season. The Buffaloes have a rich history in women's basketball, with 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and a record of 21-15. Additionally, Colorado was home to the first women's professional basketball franchise in the state, the Colorado Xplosion, who played from 1996 to 1998 and created many memorable moments for sports enthusiasts and fans of women's basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Colorado Buffaloes |
| University | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Conference | Pac-12 Conference |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Previous Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| Head Coach | JR Payne |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 15 |
| NCAA Tournament Record | 21-15 |
| Former Coach | Linda Lappe |
| Professional Team | Colorado Xplosion |
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What You'll Learn

Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team
The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team represents the University of Colorado Boulder. They compete in the NCAA Division I and play in the Pac-12 Conference. Prior to the 2011-12 season, they played in the Big 12 Conference.
The team is currently coached by JR Payne, who was hired prior to the 2016-17 season. Payne is the eighth head coach in the program's history. She replaced Linda Lappe, who was fired after a 33-57 (.367) record in Pac-12 play. Payne's first season saw the team finish with a 7-23 (2-16 Pac-12) record. The following season, the Buffaloes began Pac-12 conference play with 11 straight losses, marking the worst start to a season in the program's history.
However, on February 10, 2019, the Buffaloes secured a home win against USC, preventing the program's first 12-game losing streak and first winless conference season. The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team has appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments, with a record of 21-15.
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JR Payne, head coach
JR Payne is the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team, representing the University of Colorado Boulder. Payne was hired prior to the 2016-17 season and became the eighth head coach in the program's history. She replaced Linda Lappe, who was fired after a poor performance in Pac-12 play, with a career record of 33-57 (.367).
Payne inherited a struggling program, with Lappe's final season resulting in a 7-23 record, including 2-16 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes had a difficult start to the 2018-19 season under Payne's leadership, losing their first 11 games in the Pac-12 Conference, marking the worst start to conference play in the team's history.
Despite these initial challenges, Payne has led the team's appearances in the NCAA Tournaments, with a notable record of 21-15. The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team competes at the highest level in NCAA Division I, showcasing their talent and determination.
Prior to Payne's tenure, the team played in the Big 12 Conference but transitioned to the Pac-12 Conference starting with the 2011-12 season. Colorado has a rich history in women's basketball, with the Colorado Xplosion being the state's first women's professional basketball franchise, playing in the American Basketball League from 1996 to 1998 and creating many memorable moments for sports enthusiasts.
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NCAA Division I
The University of Colorado Boulder is represented by the Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team, which competes in the NCAA's Division I. They play in the Pac-12 Conference, having moved from the Big 12 Conference prior to the 2011-12 season.
The Buffaloes have a rich history in the NCAA, having appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments with a record of 21-15. However, in recent years, the team has struggled, with JR Payne, the head coach, inheriting a program that finished with a 7-23 record. In the 2018-19 season, the team started Pac-12 conference play with 11 straight losses, the worst start in the program's history. This included a 102-43 loss to Oregon, which was the worst loss in 35 years.
Despite these setbacks, Coach Payne has worked to improve the team's performance and establish a strong foundation for future success. The team's performance in the NCAA Division I demonstrates the competitiveness and resilience of the Buffaloes program.
The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team's presence in NCAA Division I showcases the university's commitment to providing opportunities for female athletes to excel and compete at the highest level. The team's participation in this division offers a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and represent the University of Colorado Boulder on a national stage.
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Colorado Xplosion, the first women's professional basketball franchise
Colorado is home to several women's basketball teams, including the Colorado Buffaloes, who represent the University of Colorado Boulder and compete in the Pac-12 Conference of NCAA Division I.
However, the Colorado Xplosion was the first women's professional basketball franchise in the state. They were based in Denver and played in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 to 1998. The team produced many memorable moments and was at the centre of the sport's momentum during its short existence. They won the league's Western Conference in their first season and made the playoffs in their second.
The Xplosion played their home games at the Denver Coliseum and McNichols Arena. Their key players included Crystal Robinson, a top scorer, and Debbie Black, a versatile 5'3" guard. On December 8, 1996, Black made basketball history by becoming the first woman and only the second player ever to record a Quadruple Double, with 10 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and 10 steals against Atlanta.
Other players for the Xplosion included Edna Campbell, Sylvia Crawley, Nekeshia Henderson, Tari Phillips, and Vonda Ward. After the franchise ceased operations with the demise of the ABL in the 1998-99 season, these players went on to continue their careers in the WNBA.
The Colorado Xplosion helped lay the foundation for the growth and stabilization of women's professional basketball, and their legacy is that they not only competed against the WNBA but also laid the base for its rival league.
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The Buffaloes' NCAA Tournament record
The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team represents the University of Colorado Boulder and competes in the NCAA Division I. The team plays in the Pac-12 Conference, having moved from the Big 12 Conference prior to the 2011–12 season.
The Buffaloes have appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments, with a record of 21–15. In 2019, the team prevented a 12-game losing streak by winning against USC, which would have been a first in program history.
The team is currently coached by JR Payne, who was hired prior to the 2016–17 season. Payne is the eighth head coach in the program's history. She replaced Linda Lappe, who was fired after a 7–23 record in her final season. Payne's 2018–19 season started with 11 straight losses in the Pac-12 conference, marking the worst start to a season in the program's history.
The men's basketball team has also competed in the NCAA Tournament. In 2024, the Buffaloes advanced in the tournament after beating Florida 102-100. This was the team's second consecutive win in the tournament, a feat not achieved since 1955. The Buffaloes have had a successful run in the tournament, with 11 consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2017, and five appearances under the leadership of coach Tad Boyle.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Colorado has a women's basketball team called the Buffaloes, which represents the University of Colorado Boulder.
They compete in the Pac-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. Before the 2011-12 season, they played in the Big 12 Conference.
JR Payne. She was hired prior to the 2016-17 season and is the eighth head coach in the program's history.
They have appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments and have a record of 21-15.
Yes, the Colorado Xplosion was the first women's professional basketball franchise in Colorado. They played in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 to 1998 and produced many memorable moments for sports fans in the state.









































