There are still things to work out.<\/p>\n
Gophers womens basketball coach Lindsay Whalen has yet to make some final rotation decisions. The importance of ball security is still on top of her list. But, with the Gophers 9-1 and on a nine-game winning streak set to play their final nonconference game against Lehigh on Saturday at noon, Whalen feels good about her team. In a lot of ways.<\/p>\n
I didnt know what to think last year, said Whalen, in her second year as Gophers coach. The Gophers rolled through a very soft preseason slate undefeated last year before a difficult first half of the Big Ten season. This years nonconference schedule was an upgrade. The Gophers only loss came to a ranked Missouri State team that is currently third in the RPI ratings. The Gophers have beaten a then-ranked Arizona State team and won at Notre Dame still a quality win despite the Irish being in a rebuilding season.<\/p>\n
Were in a good place, Whalen said. I like where our guys are at mentally, where the team is, where the chemistry is at.<\/p>\n
Lehigh is a Pennsylvania school with six Minnesotans on the roster. All six played in the North Tartan AAU program. The pipeline started with Hannah Hedstrom, who won a state title with Minnetonka. Both her mother, Mary, and older sister, Joanna, played for the Gophers. But Hannahs decision to go to Lehigh started a regular stream of players from Minnesota, including Megan Walker, Hedstroms teammate at Minnetonka. The others are Anna Harvey (Lakeville South), Frannie Hottinger (Cretin-Derham Hall), Emma Grothaus (Mahtomedi) and Mariah Sexe (East Ridge).<\/p>\n
The 7-2 Mountain Hawks use a full-court zone press.<\/p>\n
We need to take care of the ball, Whalen said. They force 19 turnovers a game. That and rebounding have been our focus.<\/p>\n
As for rotations, Whalen has yet to decide who will be Taiye Bellos backup in the post. Her sister, Kehinde Bello, freshman Klarke Sconiers and Barbora Tomancova are competing there.<\/p>\n
In the backcourt, freshman Jasmine Powell will get big minutes off the bench. Mercedes Staples decision to enter the transfer portal has given Masha Adashchyk an opportunity, too.<\/p>\n
But, overall, Whalen feels confident. Destiny Pitts growth continues. And the return of Gadiva Hubbard who missed last season because of injury has been a big boost. Pitts (15.6 points per game) and Hubbard (13.3) give the team a 1-2 punch from the outside. Taiye Bello is averaging a double-double and freshman guard Sara Scalia has played well.<\/p>\n
We havent played for a week, Whalen said. We just had finals. I want to see them come out strong.<\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
Lindsay Whalen pleased with Gophers women's basketball team's progress in 9-1 start - Minneapolis Star Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are still things to work out. Gophers womens basketball coach Lindsay Whalen has yet to make some final rotation decisions Continue reading