BOULDER — Inside her office at the CU Events Center, JR Payne had to do a double-take when looking at her computer.

It was earlier this month, as the Colorado women’s basketball coach was preparing one of the hundreds of daily practice plans she prepares for her team over the course of a given season. When Payne realized it was already a week into February, she just sat there and took a moment to reflect on how enjoyable this year’s team has been to work with.

“I just couldn’t believe how quickly the season has gone,” Payne said. “In that moment, I just really sat and was thankful for this group and the fact that I could be on practice 105 and be like, ‘Wow, how lucky am I to get to come and hang out with these guys every day?’ It has been a true blessing.”

The winning lately has helped, too, as the Buffaloes (19-8, 10-5 Big 12) have won four straight and seven of their last eight heading into Saturday’s game against No. 20 Texas Tech (7 p.m., ESPN+) in Boulder.

It wasn’t the prettiest start for this new-look roster that began the year with just three returning players and only two who were regular members of the rotation. CU went 5-3 in November, capped off by a home loss to Montana State. Even after bouncing back in December, Payne’s squad started Big 12 play 3-4 with zero wins away from Boulder.

As the Buffs embarked on a weekend trip to Kansas in late January, they knew something had to change. 

The breakthrough on the road finally came with a 56-47 win over a Kansas State program that has made three of the last four NCAA Tournaments and that carried over into a gutsy, overtime win at Kansas a few days later.

The Buffs have ridden that wave into February with just one loss since Jan. 18 and that came to No. 20 West Virginia. They knocked off National Player of the Year candidate Olivia Miles and TCU to kick off this latest four-game win streak and are just two games out of first place in the Big 12 with three regular-season games remaining.

“I don’t say that word very often, but I am impressed by how we continue to grow and continue to get better and continue to lean into each other,” Payne said. “I do think that (Kansas) trip was pivotal because we were so excited to beat Kansas State and then to go win the next one. It took such an emotional investment on everybody’s part to do that, and I think we’re continuing to reap the benefits that maybe started during that weekend.”

Injuries and players coming in and out of the rotation have carried over from last season, but they haven’t affected this year’s team in nearly the same way it did a year ago. 

Starting point guard Kennedy Sanders was lost to a season-ending injury in December around the same time Tabitha Betson returned to the program after needing some time with family at home in Australia, and the sophomore forward hasn’t missed a beat. 

Preseason All-Big 12 returner Jade Masogayo needed to shake off some early-season struggles, but veteran transfers like Anaëlle Dutat, Zyanna Walker, Desiree Wooten and Maeve McErlane were there to pick up the slack, along with impact freshmen in Logyn Greer and Erianna Gooden.

“I think we just have a more realistic group,” Payne said. “Sometimes in the portal era, realism is not always there. This group recognizes that every single member is important, whether they’re playing 40 minutes or not playing as much as they’d like; they’re valued and important to our success. I think that allows them to lean into their roles, celebrate each other and we’re celebrating people who don’t get to play as much. I think that speaks just to the cohesiveness. 

“We thought we were gonna be good, we thought we had a chance to win a lot of games, but it’s great to see that happening.”

With one week left in February, the Buffs are sitting in a good spot as one of the last four teams currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament, per ESPN. Another ranked win over Texas Tech would really cement their place in the field, and this team is hoping to hear their name called on Selection Sunday after seeing a three-year streak in the field snapped last season.

“It’s a different team than last year, definitely,” Masogayo told The Denver Gazette. “Every day, I’m always with these guys, versus last year when I wasn’t as close as I am with my teammates now. It’s just a bigger and better bond, for sure. I feel like that really helps and translates to things on the court.

“I feel like we all really realize that we’re so close to what we can achieve, especially the NCAA Tournament and getting far.”

This could also be just the beginning for the next successful era of women’s basketball in Boulder.

“We have some older players that are more experienced and playing more than some of the freshman class, but I believe in all five of our freshmen. If they will stay and continue to work — and I believe they will, I think they’re gonna be a really impactful group — all five of them,” Payne said. “I think this  group, if they stick together, can be very similar to the Jaylyn (Sherrod) group that was impactful early and will really grow and leave their mark.”