A year ago, the Colorado women’s basketball team came into the season loaded with excitement because of the high expectations on the program.

This year, the level of excitement is the same, even if the outside expectations are not.

On Monday, the Buffaloes will begin their ninth season under head coach JR Payne with a not-so-easy trip to Laramie to take on the Wyoming Cowgirls.

“I think we’re really excited,” Payne said. “I mean, last weekend was really fun to be able to play an exhibition game against somebody else and we did a lot of good things, and still lots to improve. So we’re excited to face such a challenging opponent so early in the season and see where we are.”

Last year, CU was ranked No. 20 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll and upset No. 1 LSU in the season opener in Las Vegas. The Buffs remained in the top 20 all season, finishing at No. 15 in the final AP poll.

CU’s run of 27 consecutive weeks in the rankings — dating back to January of 2023 — came to a close when it wasn’t among this year’s preseason Top 25. In fact, the Buffs didn’t even get a single top 25 vote, despite back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.

The reason for the lower expectations is that much of the core of last year’s team is gone and 11 of the 14 players on the roster have never played in a game for the Buffs. Yet, CU is just as bullish about this year’s team.

“Very new and I think it’s very exciting,” said senior guard Sara-Rose Smith, one of three returning players, along with fellow seniors Frida Formann and Kindyll Wetta.

The Buffs not only have a bunch of new players, but they come from eight different countries, including the United States. CU has a program-record eight international players.

“I think it’s really, really cool to put all the different experiences and upbringing through basketball together,” Smith said. “And I think we are meshing really well.”

Several players, and Payne, have agreed with Smith that the offseason has seen the Buffs come together quite well for a new team.

“I mean, we have some days that we look absolutely fantastic, a Final Four team, and then the next day it’s sort of like, eh,” Smith said. “But that’s the highs and lows of basketball, and that is totally OK. We’re in a really, really exciting space and I think the community of Boulder should be really excited for Colorado basketball this year.”

The early portion of the schedule, however, is likely to feature some bumps in the road as Payne and her staff figure out the roles and rotation.

“Learning curve is the term I would use,” Payne said. “I think every time we play we’re going to learn something new about ourselves and how we respond, how we react, and things that we’re sort of learning how we’re capable of being.

“I just think it’s going to be just a totally different experience than we’ve had in some ways. And so sort of the newness of it all is fun.”

Payne is also looking forward to taking her team to face a good regional team on the road. The Buffs played in Laramie five years ago, so Payne knows how difficult the environment can be — especially as it kicks off a doubleheader for Wyoming on Monday night. The Wyoming men will host Concordia University after the women’s game.

“I think their community support is fantastic,” Payne said. “They love their teams, and they come out in large numbers. The arena, the seating is very vertical, so it kind of feels like everything’s right on top of you. Lots of floor seating, so you’ll be surrounded by fans right there on the court and it’s just a loud place.”

It’s an environment that should teach Payne a lot about her new team, especially against a Wyoming squad picked to finish second in the Mountain West with five returning starters and 10 total returnees.

“With so many new people, you’re going to continue to learn and grow as the season goes on,” she said. “So we’re certainly not where we will be in time, but we’re excited to finally get going.”