During the previous two years, Zyanna Walker made some great memories and played in big games for Kansas State. On Thursday, she’ll get a different perspective of Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas, when she and the Colorado women’s basketball team visit K-State. “I’m excited. I’m exci ted to see the fans, see the people,” said Walker, now a junior guard for the Buffs. “I’m happy that I got a lot of family and friends that are going to be able to be there. So, yeah, it’ll be fun to be back in that environment. See a few of my old teammates. A lot of us are gone, we’re dispersed, but it’ll be fun to see the old coaches, see some familiar faces.” Colorado Buffaloes’ Zyanna Walker, right, looks to shoot past Iowa State Cyclones’ Reagan Wilson, left, at the CU Events Center in Boulder on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer) Walker, who began her career at Louisville, grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and spent the previous two years playing for the Wildcats. She played 70 games in purple, including all 36 games of the 2024-25 season as a starter. Walker averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists last year in helping the Wildcats reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. “There’s no bad blood,” she said in going back to play her old team. “Like, no revenge or anything like that. I mean, it wasn’t like a bad ending with them. I just thought I was going to do what’s best for me and that was to leave. It’s not any bad blood with us. I’m more actually excited.” While Walker will be familiar with K-State head coach Jeff Mittie and the staff, guard Taryn Sides is the only player left that Walker played with. Of the 13 players on the K-State roster, 10 are new to the team and two others battled injuries during the past two years. Walker left K-State and signed with CU last summer looking for a bigger role and she found it. She is averaging 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 steals and has been arguably CU’s best all-around player. “She’s really key on both sides of the floor,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “Sometimes it’s quiet production, but she’s someone that’s been good defensively, I think she leads us in steals … and certainly playing a lot of different positions.” Walker said she’s enjoying her time at CU and her role with the Buffs, but feels she can be better. “I don’t feel like I’m playing my best basketball,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I’m playing bad, but I definitely think I have more to show. … I’m still trying to learn and develop that (role) and I feel like I’m getting better and better at learning how to be more effective with my role.” Walker will be a key on Thursday as the Buffs make their first trip to Manhattan since upsetting the Wildcats – and Walker – in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 24, 2024. “They’ve had a lot of success there, they’re a good team, their coach is really good,” Payne said. “When we were there before, I think they sold out for that game, and so it was a great environment, tons of fans. … Just another great Big 12 opponent.” The Buffs are coming off an impressive win against Oklahoma State on Sunday in Boulder, but are still trying to figure out the road. In Big 12 play, the Buffs are 4-0 at home and 0-4 on the road. “Execution is execution, wherever you are,” Payne said. “Performing the way we did last game, especially in the fourth quarter, should really give us the confidence. We’re already confident, we know we’re right there, but confidence to execute down the stretch and knowing what that looks and feels like … just have to continue that going.” CU Buffs women’s basketball at Kansas State TIPOFF: Thursday, 5:30 p.m. MT, Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM RECORDS: Colorado 13-7, 4-4 Big 12; Kansas State 11-10, 4-4 Big 12 COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (177-123; 278-236 career). Kansas State — Jeff Mittie, 12th season (229-153; 683-388 career) KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Tabitha Betson, 6-2, So. (4.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg); F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.0 spg, .528 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, .513 fg%); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.2 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (12.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 spg). Kansas State — F Nastja Claessens, 6-1, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .533 fg%); F Jenessa Cotton, 6-1, So. (5.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Gina Garcia, 5-9, Fr. (6.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.7 apg, .471 3pt%, .861 ft%); F Brandie Harrod, 6-1, Fr. (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg); G Taryn Sides, 5-7, Jr. (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, .414 3pt%); G Jordan Speiser, 6-1, Fr. (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .884 3pt%). NOTES: CU hits the road looking to carry momentum from a 79-65 win against Oklahoma State on Sunday in Boulder. K-State is hoping to rebound from an 83-61 loss at rival Kansas on Sunday. … The Buffs are 34-35 all-time against Kansas State, including a 63-53 win in Boulder on Jan. 25, 2025. CU is 13-18 against the Wildcats in Manhattan. … CU is 0-5 on the road this season, while K-State is 5-5 at home. … The Buffs are 1-12 in Big 12 road games since rejoining the conference last year. They have lost eight consecutive conference road games. … K-State could be without senior guard Tess Heal (9.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg), who was held out of the Wildcats’ game against Kansas on Sunday because of an NCAA violation after she signed a contract with a professional team in Australia last week. Mittie said K-State was hoping for a quick resolution, but it’s unclear how long Heal will be out. … In Big 12 play, CU is ninth in scoring (67.5 per game) and sixth in scoring defense (65.4). K-State is 10th in scoring 66.4) and ninth in scoring defense (67.3). … As of Wednesday, CU was No. 52 in the NET rankings, while K-State was No. 63. ...read more read less