Life after Kennedy Leonard
What happened last year?
It was a struggle last season. The Colorado Buffaloes went 12-18 and won only two games in conference play. Their senior star, Kennedy Leonard, sat out ten games with a foot injury while the team leaned on Alexis Robinson, Mya Hollingshed, and Quinessa Caylao-Do.
It just wasn’t enough for the Buffs. They went out to Arizona State in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament, and their year was over.
Key losses
Leonard signed a contract to play for Herner TC, defending champions of the German Bundesliga, back in June. That’s a great reward for Colorado’s all-time leader in assists, but it also leaves big shoes to fill.
Leonard led the team with 12.6 ppg, 6.8 apg and 2.7 spg last season. She was also third on the team with 4.6 rpg. Fellow senior Robinson was the team’s second-leading scorer with 12.2 ppg. Her 1.6 apg were third on the team. That’s a lot of production to replace.
Key returners
The Buffs are fortunate to get another year from Caylao-Do and two more from Hollingshed. The duo was third and fourth in scoring with Caylao-Do adding 11.1 ppg and Hollingshed contributing 10.8.
Key additions
The Buffs brought in a class of five this season, four of whom signed during the early period last November. The class is primarily three-star recruits who had solid, but unspectacular careers in high school.
Payne and her staff will undoubtedly put in the work to develop the group, but it’s difficult to see any of them stepping into the Pac-12 and having a major impact any time soon.
Outlook for 2019-20
What can coach JR Payne do to improve on last year? According to her colleagues’ projections, not a lot.
Looking at what the program lost and what they brought in, it’s not difficult to see why the team is projected to finish in last place. While the Buffs are capable of upsetting an opponent or two–especially on their home court–regular success will be difficult to achieve this season.
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