Can Colorado be a Final Four contender? Former WNBA star believes so

JR Payne's Buffs are off to their best-ever start and hope to capitalize in March

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Candace Parker walked into the Colorado's locker room after they upset top-ranked LSU in Vegas. The former WNBA star had a message for the Buffaloes: "I hope to see you at the Final Four." It's a wish that just might come true. The margin for error is very slim for the third-ranked CU Buffs as we’re now two months away from the NCAA tournament.

JR Payne's team has been on a tear during the Pac-12 portion of the schedule, holding a 6-1 record in conference play with a close loss to 5th-ranked UCLA last week. Colorado has been a dominating force with a 16-2 record and is currently a No. 1 seed in ESPN's Bracketology. This was the level of success Payne envisioned when CU suffered a 10-point loss to Iowa in last year’s Sweet 16 round.

One of the best starts in school history is shaping out fairly well for the Buffs. How could it not when they average nearly 80 points per game. A record that blows the doors off the previous mark of 69.5 points per game set in the 2017-18 season. Aaronette Vonleh is leading the charge for the women, averaging 14.8 points per game and anchoring the defense with a block per game. She was also the key to handling No. 6 USC their latest loss, as she hit the go-ahead layup for the Buffs.

This team is built around many talented player who know their roles and help in many different ways. Jaylyn Sherrod is the team orchestrator and dishes out assists like she’s dealing cards. The way she spreads the ball around keeps everyone plugged in and the defense on their toes, trying to dictate her moves.

Sherrod averages over five assists per game and shows her high basketball I.Q. on defense with 2.5 steals per game. Don’t think she’s limited to being a floor general. When it’s time to get going, Sherrod can surely light up the scoreboard with her vast scoring ability. She’s second on the team with 14 points per game, including dropping 34 on then No. 12 Utah at the end of December.

The high energy of Sherrod is contagious in the locker room. Payne knew she was something special the moment they met. “Jaylyn we say is truly a one percenter. People talk about what that is and what it embodies, Jaylyn is that kid.” Payne explained, “She’s one of the toughest, hard-nosed players we’ve ever coached. Her mantra is Will over Skill, and she lives that.”

This Buffaloes team has many characters, and each one compliments the other. As they rise in the ranking, they look to stay in the conversation of being the best conference team and make waves towards a deep tournament run in March.