KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The process of keeping a program at a lofty level of competitiveness typically is done behind closed doors.

It’s the hours spent firing jumpers in empty gyms. Or the daily grind of sweat and strain put into the weight room. Get enough players on the same page in such endeavors, and basketball programs with strong foundations often can have smooth transitions even with major roster overhauls.

A shift in team leadership, though, is a more nuanced challenge. The vocal portion of leadership often is assumed by the more extroverted veterans on a team, but being the face of a program is a different standard. And that transition was on full display for the Colorado women’s basketball program at Big 12 Conference media day on Tuesday.

CU head coach JR Payne took the stage at

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