There’s no question the Colorado women’s basketball team has an important game on the docket Saturday.

With seven games remaining in the regular season, CU (16-6, 7-4 Big 12) is squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble and needs wins to boost its resume.

CU’s NET ranking of No. 58 is within bubble territory, and ESPN projects the Buffs to be among the “first four out.” There’s nothing better than victories to improve that standing, and there’s an opportunity for a big win on Saturday when the Buffs visit Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State (16-9, 7-5) is currently on the right side of the bubble. No. 40 in the NET, the Cyclones are projected by ESPN as the seventh and final Big 12 team in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field.

CU head coach JR Payne hasn’t spent any time, however, worrying about bubbles, standings or NCAA Tournament projections.

“This year literally is just take it one day at a time,” Payne said. “We’ve always been that way as far as how we want to perform, but with all the injuries and new faces that we’ve only really known for six, eight months, we’re just taking it one day at a time and trying to play well, trying to improve the areas we can improve.”

At this time a year ago, the Buffs were among the top teams in the country and a lock to make the NCAA Tournament. Focus was on fine-tuning the little things and pushing for the best seed possible.

This year, with 10 new players and injuries that have left them short-handed for eight straight games, basic fundamentals are often a part of the practice routine.

“It just feels like we’re so focused on the basic things right now,” Payne said. “Like (Friday) in practice, we’re going to work on basic ball screens. Last year, we weren’t working on basic ball screen stuff in the middle of February. It was a little bit different mindset.

“But I actually think that has been really good for us. We focus on some of the basic things, which for this group, if we do those things really well, we’re going to have a chance to be successful every single night, no matter who it is.”

Focusing on the basics has worked well for this CU squad. The Buffs are 6-2 in their past eight games and have won four in a row. The Buffs don’t have a star-studded lineup, but they’ve got plenty of veterans who have stepped up from game to game to get the job done.

“We just have more balance than we’ve ever had,” Payne said. “I think that is very helpful in a situation like this. I think the fact that we have enough experience, not necessarily Colorado experience, but experience playing in big games, playing against really good teams, no one’s really afraid of anything. Pretty fearless group.”

The Buffs need to be fearless on Saturday because the Cyclones have one of the best home court advantages in the country. Iowa State ranks sixth nationally in average attendance (10,008 per game) and have been top-five for the past decade.

“I’m actually really excited for this game,” Payne said. “The one thing I did know (coming to the Big 12) was, going to Iowa State is going to be awesome, because you read about it. You read about the crowds. We’ve recruited against them a tiny bit and one thing that a few years ago they really had over us was they just draw way better.

“We’re drawing really well the last few years as well, but that was something that’s always just been really impressive is the way they draw. And so I’ve been excited for this environment since we joined the Big 12.”

She’ll enjoy it even more if the Buffs can steal a win — not because it’ll help the resume, but it would mean the Buffs did enough things well.

“You want to win games,” Payne said, “but if you really could just handle your business one day at a time, then you’ll give yourself a chance to play in the postseason.”