Tabitha Betson is becoming a key part of the rotation for the Buffs (11-4, 2-1 Big 12), who visit No. 16 Baylor on Thursday.
Colorado's Tabitha Betson, left, shoots over Cincinnati's Dee Alexander during their game Saturday in Boulder. The first time she checked into a game this season, on Dec. 14 against Miami , Colorado’s Tabitha Betson had to shake off some rust.
After all, she had gone back to her native Australia over the summer and didn’t return to CU until last month. After several months away from the game, she was cleared to practice on Dec. 13 and found herself in uniform the next day.It was a quiet seven minutes of action for Betson that day, but she’s now becoming a key part of the rotation for the Buffs , who visit No. 16 Baylor on Thursday. “I definitely think that as each game has passed, I’ve felt a bit better,” said Betson, a 6-foot-2 sophomore forward. “I’ve gotten to know my teammates more, learned how to play with them, and also figured out what this team needs from me.” Betson was a freshman with the Buffs a year ago, averaging 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per contest. She was heavily involved in helping Payne and the staff recruit the players that are on the team this year, but felt homesick in the summer and returned to Australia. Missing the game, Betson worked out a plan with Payne to rejoin the Buffs, which she did a few weeks ago. “I think she’s doing great,” Payne said. “I think she and all of us have done a great job of easing her into everything. We knew from a cerebral standpoint she would understand everything we’re doing, so we knew that would be easy. It’s just a matter of getting your body used to doing all the things again. But it’s really like riding a bike; when you’re young enough that your body can still do it, it all just comes back.” In her first three games back, Betson scored just three points , shooting 1-for-10 overall. In her last two games, she’s averaged 7.5 points on 5-for-10 shooting. She’s also averaging 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in her 13.8 minutes per game. While she knew the players on the team, Betson said it took a bit of time to get used to playing with them. “I was a little nervous about it, coming back, considering I hadn’t been here for months,” she said. “Inserting yourself can sometimes be a little awkward, but everyone’s just been so excited to play with me and I’m really excited to learn how to play with them. We have a super young group, so everyone’s really willing to learn from each other. It’s been good, it’s been exciting.” A vocal player, Betson said she was hesitant at first to speak up considering she just rejoined the team, but Payne urged her to use her voice because she knows the Buffs’ scheme as well as anyone. “You kind of have to prove yourself a little bit,” Betson said. “You have to earn trust and respect. That’s harder, obviously, having missed time, but I feel like everyone’s been super receptive of me. Being able to do that in practice is the biggest thing — trying to show up and be consistent in every way that I can.” Payne said as soon as Betson got on the court last month, “She was still Tabitha. She could shoot, make good decisions in ball screens, and communicate her way through things. … She’s just getting more and more comfortable and back in the swing of things.” Payne expects Betson to make a bigger impact throughout Big 12 play. Betson’s size and strong basketball IQ will be assets, Payne said. CU will need that against Baylor, but Payne has, in general, been pleased with the overall effort of the team, which takes a two-game winning streak to Waco, Texas. “I think the last few games I’ve noticed a big difference in our execution of game plan,” Payne said. “I’ve noticed a higher level of execution lately. … If we can really lock into doing our job and executing the game plan , it’s going to be a great matchup.” Colorado’s Anaelle Dutat drives against Cincinnati’s Reagan Jackson in Boulder, Colorado, on Jan.3, 2026. C Jade Crook, 6-4, Fr. ; F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. ; F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. ; F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. ; G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. ; G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. .G Yuting Deng, 6-2, So. ; G/F Bella Fontleroy, 6-0, Sr. ; F Kiersten Johnson, 6-4, Sr. ; G/F Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, 6-1, Sr. ; G Taliah Scott, 5-9, So. ; G Jana Van Gytenbeek, 5-7, Sr. .CU is 0-2 on the road this season, while Baylor is 8-1 at home. … The Buffs are 1-9 in Big 12 road games since rejoining the conference in 2024. … This is CU’s second game of the season against an Associated Press ranked opponent. The Buffs lost at then-No. 22 Louisville, 74-68, on Nov. 12. … The Buffs have defeated at least one top 25 opponent in six straight seasons. … The Buffs have lost 64 consecutive conference road games against AP Top 25 opponents, since a win at Baylor on Jan. 7, 2004. … Dutat is third in the Big 12 in overall rebounds and leads the conference in offensive rebounds . She has had at least seven rebounds in 12 of 15 games. … CU is 12th in the Big 12 in scoring , while Baylor is eighth . … Scott is second in the Big 12 in scoring and leads the conference in free throw percentage . Littlepage-Buggs leads the conference in rebounding and Van Gytenbeek is fourth in assists. … Van Gytenbeek is a sixth-year senior from Cherry Creek High School who began her collegiate career with two seasons at Stanford.Colorado weather: Up to a foot of snow possible for Denver area in upcoming stormTelluride faces looming 'economic crisis' if ski resort doesn't fully reopen soon, leaders warnMetro Denver's housing market experiences déjà vu all over again in 2025Keeler: New CU Buffs AD Fernando Lovo said right things Monday. But Buffs donors fear NCAA football’s going wrong direction. Keeler: New CU Buffs AD Fernando Lovo said right things Monday. But Buffs donors fear NCAA football's going wrong direction.
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