While advancing to each of the past two Sweet 16s, the Colorado women’s basketball team rarely was forced to deviate from the regular rotation.

The Buffaloes largely remained healthy throughout those NCAA Tournament runs, with a veteran rotation more than capable of handling big minutes. That hasn’t been the case so far this season, but as the Buffs navigate a lull in the schedule as finals week arrives, they can see a silver lining amid some of the roster-juggling they were forced into through much of the nonconference slate.

With a new-look roster, some players have been forced into expanded minutes, or even altered roles. The Buffs’ lineup isn’t exactly steamrolling into Big 12 Conference play, which begins at home on Saturday against West Virginia (6 p.m., ESPN+). But the rotation tweaks have forced the Buffs to become a more versatile club.

“It definitely pushes everyone a little out of position,” CU fifth-year senior Frida Formann said. “(Against Denver), I played the one. Johanna (Teder) played the one. Lior (Garzon) played the one. If we’re ever in position in a game where we have foul trouble, someone falls down and can’t come in, those are the types of situations that we’re prepared for. Not because we wanted to be, but we were just kind of forced to be. So I just think, just trying to take something positive out of it, even me being out the first couple games, it forced someone else to play my position that I might have heavy minutes on.

“I think it’s good for us. But obviously you’d rather have everyone healthy and just kind of know what’s coming.”

It’s not as if the Buffs have been devastated by injuries. But the pace so far through a 9-2 start is a far cry from the stable foundations that led CU to its back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.

Last year, seven CU players appeared in all 34 games, with two others logging at least 30 games. In 2022-23, five Buffs players played in all 34 games, with three others playing at least 32.

Formann, who started all 34 games last year, missed the first four games of this season while shaking off an injury. Starting point guard Kindyll Wetta and backup Kennedy Sanders have missed the past two games after a collision at practice left both players with concussions. And transfer forward JoJo Nworie only recently returned to the mix after missing the past two seasons due to injuries. Six players have played in all 11 games for the Buffs, but only Jade Masogayo has made every start.

The extended time between games since last week’s nonconference finale against Denver should help Wetta and Sanders.

Still, the week ahead presents a challenge for head coach JR Payne and her staff, as the Buffs balance final exams with preparation for the first Big 12 game.

“We have a really academic team that loves their academics and wants to prioritize finishing really strong,” Payne said following the win against DU. “It’s actually a good time during finals to have this little bit of a break. It’s a lot to prepare for any conference opponent. West Virginia’s no different. It will be a lot of film study and a lot of preparation.”