CU women’s basketball succeeds, nobody cares

There’s a CU team that won all of its non-conference games and has a current record of 14-4. The only problem? No one seems to care.

The women’s basketball team is doing decidedly better than preseason polls predicted, and yet, very few people have noticed. The coaches’ poll released in October put the Buffs in 11^thplace in the Pac-12.

The CU women's basketball team is currently 14-4 on the season. The team was originally ranked 11th in the Pac-12 prior to the start of the season. (CU Independent/Josh Shettler)

While the men’s team had a memorable run to the NIT last year, the women also made a run of their own to the WNIT quarterfinals.

While the men’s team is selling out the Coors Events Center, the women’s team is lucky to have over 2,000 fans in the stands.

I understand women’s sports will never be as popular as men’s sports, and I understand this especially considering the football-driven sports culture of CU.

I’m not expecting readers to feel sorry for our team or for women in general. I’m asking for our school to care more. Not because it’s a women’s team and their gender causes them to be overlooked, but because they are a great team.

Before anyone dismisses me as a feminist who spends all her time watching the WNBA just for the sake of watching it, let me set a few things straight.

I hate the WNBA.

I occasionally watch some women’s college teams, mostly because I’m a sports writer and have more of a vested interest. I have nothing against women’s tennis, but when it comes down to it, I think I’d rather watch Andy Roddick than Serena Williams.

A lot of people think women’s sports are boring. My response is: those people are boring. OK, I don’t really feel that way, but plenty of sports (men’s or women’s) can be boring at times, and that’s just a fact.

To the folks who refuse to believe women’s basketball can be exciting, I have two words: Brittney Griner. Griner plays center at Baylor and went into this season with 40 straight double-doubles and four dunks under her belt. She is also the 6-foot-8-inch junior who got suspended for punching a Texas Tech player in the face. Yes, that Brittney Griner.

At their last home game, the Baylor Lady Bears had an attendance of 8,707. That’s 429 more fans than were at the men’s CU vs. ASU game. Clearly, talent sells tickets.

So what does this have to do with our women’s team? Last year, the Buffs put up a strong fight against gave the No. 3 Bears — before halftime, the Buffs reduced a 20-point deficit to six.

That same season, the Buffs beat two ranked teams, including an overtime win against No. 16 Iowa State. To this day, that is one of the best basketball games I’ve ever been to – men’s or women’s. A nail biter is a nail biter, regardless of whether the players are wearing ponytails.

This season, the CU women’s team has accomplished something the men’s team hasn’t been able to do – win a Pac-12 matchup on the road.

This article might not change anyone’s views or convince them to go to women’s games, but that’s not necessarily the point. If just a few doubters read this and think for a few minutes about women’s sports, or if they start a heated discussion about the topic, then I’ve made an impact.

Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.