At first glance, something's askew during practices for the Colorado women's basketball team these days.

Ann Strother, who needs no introduction when it comes to women's basketball in this state, or this country, is suited up and playing on CU's second string during practices.

What's this? Is it right that CU has someone who won two national titles at Connecticut and plays for WNBA's Indiana Fever on the practice squad?

Of course. Here's why.

In a flash, Strother can spin around in the paint and shoot a fadeaway jumper over CU senior star Jackie McFarland. Strother, who is twice as fast as most players on CU's roster, can post up or shoot the outside jumper. On defense, she can guard anyone.

And the No. 23 Buffs, who host Iowa State at 2 p.m. today, wouldn't have it any other way.

"Having her on the court is a blessing," CU sophomore guard Bianca Smith said. "She's gone through what we're going through now, and has been to the next level. She can tell us what we need to do to make it there."

No one needs to tell McFarland, an All-America candidate, how much help Strother could be for her, especially when McFarland begins looking at her playing options after college.

"We're all looking up to her," McFarland said. "She's someone I'm definitely going to be talking to toward the end of the season as I try to prepare, not knowing what to expect at the next level."

Strother was hired last fall to be CU's director of operations -- arranging travel, organizing practices and helping CU recruit the state of Colorado.

When the season began, the Castle Rock native could be found in street clothes watching practice from thesideline.

But Strother's role changed last month. Assistant coach Aisha Veasley, a former UCLA player who regularly suited up in practice for the Buffs, suffered a torn Achilles' tendon and could no longer play.

Strother was asked to fill in for Veasley as a practice player.

"The first time (Strother) got out there we were in the middle of a play and Bianca saw that she had Ann Strother on her," CU coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. "Bianca looked and said, 'I'm going to take her.'

"She couldn't. ... That was kind of comical to me. Bianca totally forgot about the play and tried to drive on Ann so she could tell everyone, 'I scored on Ann Strother.' "

Colorado senior point guard Susie Powers played with Strother in high school at Highlands Ranch.

The two don't often get to go against each other in practice, however, because Strother usually defends a forward or shooting guard. Plus, Powers would rather be on the same unit as Strother so they can play together again.

"I'm glad I don't have to guard Ann because she's tough," Powers said. "She makes basketball look easy."

In addition to raising the level of play in practice, Strother can help the Buffs with issues off the court.

Players describe Strother as a coach who likes to talk to them one-on-one. Strother never calls out anyone in front of everybody else.

Strother, 23, is much closer in age to the players and they feel they can relate to each other better.

"She's very subtle," Smith said. "When she sees an area we need to work on, she pulls us aside or takes somebody out to lunch and says, 'Hey, this is what you could be doing to get better.' It's really motivating to have her here."

Strother played for one of the most successful women's basketball coaches in the game in UConn's Geno Auriemma.

She can share her experiences with CU's players, and she does.

The biggest piece of advice she gives to players is helping them manage their time between basketball, school and friends.

"The first week I got to UConn, coach called us into his office and told us, 'You have to put things in boxes,' " Strother said. "'You have to have your academic box, your social box and your basketball box, and you have to know when to take each one out and how to make sure you get an even balance with all of them.'"

As much as the Buffs soak up Strother's advice, the best part about having Strother around is playing against her on the court.

Ask Smith how many times she's scored on Strother, and the answer comes easily.

"Once," Smith said. "It was a baseline drive and I think she was expecting me to shoot it. But don't tell her that. ... It's kind of intimidating. If you go in there and she blocks your shot, you have to live with that for the rest of your time here."