Colorado Buffaloes Ranked Eighth in Big 12 Poll

Big 12 coaches placed the Buffaloes eighth in their preseason poll while naming Zyanna Walker to the all-conference team.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Basketball

Colorado Buffaloes Ranked Eighth in Big 12 Poll

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Big 12 coaches voted the Colorado Buffaloes eighth in the conference preseason poll. Additionally, guard Zyanna Walker earned a prestigious spot on the preseason all-conference team.

Why it matters

The preseason poll provides an early look at the conference competitive landscape ahead of the upcoming basketball season. Recognition for individual players like Walker highlights key contributors expected to lead their teams through the conference schedule.

Colorado received 127 points in the poll, landing one spot behind BYU and ahead of ninth-place Kansas State. Zyanna Walker joins nine other athletes on the all-conference team after averaging 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds across 34 games last season.

The players

Zyanna Walker

She is a standout guard for the Colorado Buffaloes who earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team.

Colorado Buffaloes

This is the University of Colorado Boulder women's basketball team competing in the Big 12 Conference.

Big 12

This collegiate athletic conference oversees competition for member universities across various sports.

The details

Coaches from across the Big 12 cast 16 total first-place votes to determine the rankings, with Oklahoma State leading the field. Walker, who also earned All-Defensive team honors for the 2024-25 season, contributed 70 steals and 77 assists to her team's efforts last year.

The Big 12 released the preseason coaches' poll on October 8, 2026.
The Buffaloes host Adams State for an exhibition game on October 27, 2026.
The Buffaloes play their season opener against Morgan State on November 4, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This preseason ranking establishes the initial competitive hierarchy for the Big 12, forcing the Buffaloes to overcome their eighth-place projection. The team's performance will depend heavily on Walker's ability to maintain her defensive intensity and playmaking contributions against upgraded conference opponents.

The eighth-place ranking suggests the Buffaloes face an uphill battle to secure a high seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Fans should track Walker's performance closely as her ability to replicate her 11.3 points per game and high steal volume will be critical for exceeding preseason expectations.

The takeaway

Preseason rankings offer a snapshot of team expectations but often shift significantly once actual conference play begins. Players like Walker serve as foundational pieces who can determine whether a program exceeds or falls short of these early projections.

What happens next

The Buffaloes host an exhibition game against Adams State on October 27, 2026, followed by their official season opener against Morgan State on November 4, 2026.