If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed to see did Colorado play today, the short answer is no—at least not if you're looking for the high-profile Colorado Buffaloes. Both the men's and women's CU basketball teams took care of business (or tried to) yesterday, Wednesday, January 14, and are currently in a brief holding pattern before their next Big 12 matchups.
But sports in the Centennial State never truly stop. While Coach Prime is busy navigating the chaos of the transfer portal and Tad Boyle is dissecting game tape from a tough road loss, other "Colorado" teams actually took to the court today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The Buffaloes Played Yesterday, Not Today
The main reason everyone is asking did Colorado play today is because of the jam-packed schedule the Buffs just wrapped up. Wednesday night was a massive double-header for the program, but it left fans with a bit of a hangover this morning.
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The men’s team traveled to Ohio to face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. Honestly, it was a rough one. Despite a solid effort from the rotation, Cincinnati’s physicality was just too much. The Bearcats walked away with a 77-68 win, marking their first Big 12 victory of the season. Baba Miller was a problem for CU all night, dropping 25 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Coach Boyle didn't mince words after the game, basically saying Cincinnati was the tougher team from the jump and that the Buffs lost the game in the first half.
Meanwhile, back in Boulder at the CU Events Center, the women’s team had a much better night. They hosted No. 19 Iowa State in a game that felt like a heavyweight bout. The Buffs managed to pull off a 68-62 win, which is a huge momentum swinger after some tough road games earlier in the month.
Who Actually Is Playing Today?
Even though the Buffaloes are resting, you might see "Colorado" on the scoreboard if you’re looking at the Big Sky or RMAC conferences.
- Northern Colorado Bears: They are actually in action today, Thursday, January 15. They traveled to Portland to take on the Portland State Vikings at the Viking Pavilion. If you’re a betting person or just a fan of mid-major hoops, that’s the "Colorado" game you’re seeing on the ticker right now.
- Colorado Mesa & Colorado Christian: In the world of Division II, there’s a lot happening. Colorado Mesa is hosting Westminster in a doubleheader tonight in Grand Junction, and Colorado Christian is facing off against MSU Denver in Lakewood.
It’s easy to get these confused when you're just glancing at a "Colorado" search result, but the Big 12 Buffs are definitely off today.
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Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Colorado Right Now
It isn't just about basketball. Even on a day when the football team isn't playing, the search for did Colorado play today is often driven by the "Coach Prime" effect. January is a chaotic month for college football.
Deion Sanders and his staff are currently in the middle of a massive roster overhaul. Just yesterday, the news broke that Colorado added another experienced offensive lineman from the transfer portal. This is a huge deal because, let’s be real, the front line has been a major pain point for this program.
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The buzz is also high because of some recent departures. Losing five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton to the portal was a gut punch for the fan base. He was a Freshman All-American and a bright spot in a season that had plenty of ups and downs. When fans ask if Colorado is playing, half the time they're actually looking for news on whether a new four-star recruit just committed or if another starter decided to jump ship.
What’s Next for the Buffaloes?
If you were hoping to catch a game today, you'll have to wait about 48 hours. The men’s team is staying on the road. They head to Morgantown to face the West Virginia Mountaineers this Saturday, January 17. That's going to be a late one, kicking off at 4:00 PM local time.
The women’s team is also hitting the road again after their big win. They’ll be in Orlando to take on UCF this Sunday. After that Iowa State victory, they've got a target on their backs, so expect a physical game in the Florida heat.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Big 12 Standings: With the men at 2-1 and the women at 2-3 in conference play, every game is starting to feel like a must-win for tournament seeding.
- Track the Portal: Keep an eye on 247Sports or On3 for Colorado's transfer portal rankings. They are currently sitting in the top 20 nationally for the 2026 class, which is impressive given the 3-9 football finish last year.
- Sync Your Calendar: Set alerts for the West Virginia game on Saturday. The Mountaineers' "Hope Coliseum" is a notoriously difficult place to play, and the Buffs need to bounce back from the Cincinnati loss.
Basically, while the Buffaloes didn't play today, the program is moving at 100 miles per hour. Whether it's recruiting wins or scouting the next Big 12 opponent, there's never really a "day off" in Boulder.