October 22nd 2024.
On a crisp Monday morning in Boulder, Colorado, the winter sports media day was in full swing. Among the various coaches present, the spotlight was on CU women's basketball coach JR Payne. As expected, one of the questions posed to her was about the team's move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 conference.
Born and raised on the West Coast, Payne has always had a strong connection to that region. She played college basketball there and has been coaching in the west for her entire career. In fact, Boulder is the farthest east she has ever been. In response to the conference switch, Payne mentioned that most of her closest friends in the coaching world are also located in the west. West Coast basketball has been a significant part of her life.
Despite this, the Buffaloes are now embarking on a new era in the Big 12, and Payne is well aware that they can't rely on old friendships to win games. However, she is prepared to put in the work and do her homework.
At the Big 12's women's basketball media day, Payne was joined by experienced players Frida Formann and Kindyll Wetta, as well as newcomer Lior Garzon. With the start of the conference season, the Buffs will face new challenges. But Payne, who has been coaching at CU for nine years, is eager to take on the mental challenges that come with being in a new conference.
"I'm excited about the intellectual challenge of a brand new conference," Payne stated. "In the Pac-12, we knew our opponents well and they knew us. But in the Big 12, there are so many new teams and styles of play that we have little information about. It's both exciting and challenging."
She went on to explain that the team usually has access to years' worth of film on their opponents, including specific plays and strategies. However, in the Big 12, they will have to rely on their own skills and adaptability to succeed.
Payne has previously expressed her belief that the move to the Big 12 aligns better with the culture of her program and the type of players they recruit. This year's team, which includes 10 new players, also has some members who are familiar with the Big 12.
Garzon, who holds the record for the fifth-highest number of 3-pointers made in Oklahoma State's history, spent the last two years playing for the Cowboys. Nyamer Diew, a graduate transfer, has played 91 games for Iowa State in the past three seasons. JoJo Nworie, a 6-foot-5 center, also has Big 12 experience from her time at Texas Tech.
While Formann and Wetta have been key players in CU's three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, they will also have to adjust to the new conference routine. This includes more flights and additional recovery time between games. Although the team did not specifically target former Big 12 players in the transfer portal, Payne believes that their experience in the conference will be beneficial once the season begins.
"It's a blessing to have players who can share their insights on different environments and styles of play," Payne said. "There are things that you can only learn from actually being in the game, not just from watching film. I think we can rely on these players to guide us in the right direction."
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