Game 12: Gophers host Milwaukee (12-14-22)

Ignatius L Hoops

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At 3-6 and sporting a 229 NET ranking, Milwaukee is a perfect choice for some pre-final, morning tip off, get it over with basketball. Unquestionably the Panthers biggest win was a 59-52 defeat of UWGB. Milwaukee has notable losses to future Gopher foes, Wisconsin 49-58, and Eastern Illinois 45-51.

Last season, the Panthers were 15-16 overall and 13-9 (6th) in the Horizon League and sat out post season. Two years ago, Milwaukee was 15-5 (tied for 1st) in the Horizon League and made the WNIT for the third time in Kyle Rechliez’s (now in her 11th season) run.

Fun fact: The Panthers are 36-173 (.208) from three.
 



I wish one of these last two non-con games was against a team with a NET/RPI between 75-125, like Northern Illinois or Illinois State, rather than sub 200 NET/RPI teams. I don't blame Lindsay for scheduling as she did for her young squad. But as it turns out, they are already better than you would think for a team with a non-con schedule rank of 232, and with a best non-con victory against a 175 Net/202 RPI team (Liberty). Don't mind one more game to get the subs some minutes, but not sure how much playing these last 3 dog-doo teams will help the team.
 



I wish one of these last two non-con games was against a team with a NET/RPI between 75-125, like Northern Illinois or Illinois State, rather than sub 200 NET/RPI teams. I don't blame Lindsay for scheduling as she did for her young squad. But as it turns out, they are already better than you would think for a team with a non-con schedule rank of 232, and with a best non-con victory against a 175 Net/202 RPI team (Liberty). Don't mind one more game to get the subs some minutes, but not sure how much playing these last 3 dog-doo teams will help the team.

Well their non-conference competition will certainly get tougher next year.
 



I don’t think I see Oberg on the bench today. Hammond checked in for Micheaux after she got her second foul.

edit - just saw a tweet that she is sick
 
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At another recent game I arrived early and watched players practice shooting, the players making most their shots. Except Battle missed I believe every shot or nearly every shot. Then at the end her final shots went in.

Now towards the end of the 3rd quarter she is 0-4 on field goals. For the year she is 46-115 (.400).

Battle is amazing so I'm not concerned or being negative. For some reason her shots sometimes are not quite as accurate as we would think. This is important because she can be a gamechanger, I feel.
 

At another recent game I arrived early and watched players practice shooting, the players making most their shots. Except Battle missed I believe every shot or nearly every shot. Then at the end her final shots went in.

Now towards the end of the 3rd quarter she is 0-4 on field goals. For the year she is 46-115 (.400).

Battle is amazing so I'm not concerned or being negative. For some reason her shots sometimes are not quite as accurate as we would think. This is important because she can be a gamechanger, I feel.

Battle finished 2-6. I'd be curious to see first half shooting versus second half.

Gophers won. Only 14 turnivers, I believe. Team continues to progress. I believe 14 assists including 7 from Borowicz The team is evolving. 7 steals including 4 from Braun.
 

Looked like a nice crowd. Anyone know if all the screaming kids showed up?
 





I like the fact that the Gophers seem to be working very hard defensively. And they are really going after loose balls. Based on today's game, the Gophers still have some work to do with their rebounding. Katie B with a very solid game today. Same for Mara. There'll be better days for Amaya. I like the way Whalen is using her bench. Will be interesting to see if she tightens the rotation a bit when league play resumes. Good ball movement today. Also good to see Cayton have some good minutes.
 

Looked like a nice crowd. Anyone know if all the screaming kids showed up?
Didn't looked like as many kids this year as last time. They sure were loud when they scream! If the video board crew was with it they would put up the make some noise while free throw shooting on the field trip games. The noise is so ear splitting, there is no way the free throws would go in for the opposing team.
 

Good win. Some great ball movement and defense. The number of players scoring in double figures lately is impressive. It is good to see the bench get more playing time. I think our bench players have improve greatly and are now making important contributions.

I hate it when Katie is the second leading rebounder and is out-rebounding our 6-footers.
 

Milwaukee generally got the shots they wanted (especially with Rose on the bench); but the Panthers aren't very good shooters.

It was another game where Braun stepped a level up from everyone else.

Katie B caused some consternation on the Panther bench with her first two wide open threes. I think it was a good day for Gopher set plays coming out of time outs.
 

Alot of shots were coming up short early, I wonder if their was a little fatigue with this being their 4th game in 8 days. Probably Katie B's best game as a Gopher. Good to see them step on the gas and run away with the game late in the 3rd and 4th. All in all a pretty solid game.
 

Alot of shots were coming up short early, I wonder if their was a little fatigue with this being their 4th game in 8 days. Probably Katie B's best game as a Gopher. Good to see them step on the gas and run away with the game late in the 3rd and 4th. All in all a pretty solid game.
Guess these comments after the game answer the tired question

"Now we get a little time off heal up a little bit, rest up a little bit,'' Whalen said.

The rest is welcome.

"Yes, your legs feel it,'' Braun said. "But, in the middle of the game, nobody cares that you're tired. So you have to push through. Our legs have gone through a lot. But this was our last game [for a while] and we get a little break now.''

Said Borowicz: "I am looking forward to it. I am not leaving my bed.''
 

UPDATED +/-

1671052592590.png

- Katie 25
- Braun 16
-Rose 17

didn't get to see today's game.. will watch later.. but by the box score it seems like Katie has ONE of her better games in a Gopher jersey, 17 points on only 7 shots, 7 assists, 5 rebounds.

not being outrebounded by this team is not great.. and our smallest guard had the MOST rebounds behind Rose.
 

Despite giving up 14 offensive rebounds to the Gophers 7, the second chance points were even at 6-6.
 

Rebounds:
Minnesota 31
Milwaukee 42 -- that includes 14 offensive rebounds and 28 defensive rebounds

In these 2 images:

1. Mara Braun shoots. Look at the other team at time of shot.

2. Other team blocks out all 4 Gophers not the shooter.

1671068153197.png

1671068246802.png

It doesn't always work like that, of course. Ideally the first goal is to stop the other team from getting the ball by blocking out; then you've won -- or at least greatly increased the chances. Ball is in air, block out and/or position.


Explanation: The Gophers were winning comfortably and tired so no need to win every play. Anyway, still instructional.

Gophers beat that other team comfortably.
 
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Didn't looked like as many kids this year as last time. They sure were loud when they scream! If the video board crew was with it they would put up the make some noise while free throw shooting on the field trip games. The noise is so ear splitting, there is no way the free throws would go in for the opposing team.
Some schools who planned on coming clearly didn't attend. Perhaps due to yesterday's inclement weather or other issues. One of the ushers showed me their list of sections that kids were going to be in and every section (except 105 & 106) were planned to have school kids. Season ticket holders were asked to sit in sections 105 & 106 as open seating for this game only.

And, yes, the kids made lots of noise and there were lots of them. They still need a little schooling (bad pun) on when to cheer and when not to (like when Milwaukee made a basket, don't cheer....).
Looked like a nice crowd. Anyone know if all the screaming kids showed up?
 

I wish one of these last two non-con games was against a team with a NET/RPI between 75-125, like Northern Illinois or Illinois State, rather than sub 200 NET/RPI teams. I don't blame Lindsay for scheduling as she did for her young squad. But as it turns out, they are already better than you would think for a team with a non-con schedule rank of 232, and with a best non-con victory against a 175 Net/202 RPI team (Liberty). Don't mind one more game to get the subs some minutes, but not sure how much playing these last 3 dog-doo teams will help the team.
At another recent game I arrived early and watched players practice shooting, the players making most their shots. Except Battle missed I believe every shot or nearly every shot. Then at the end her final shots went in.

Now towards the end of the 3rd quarter she is 0-4 on field goals. For the year she is 46-115 (.400).

Battle is amazing so I'm not concerned or being negative. For some reason her shots sometimes are not quite as accurate as we would think. This is important because she can be a gamechanger, I feel.
I believe they are planning to work with her on her shooting form in the off-season workouts. Get her to release more on the way up (see Braun) and not bring it back over her head. You are right. She is a game changer and she can become an elite player if she corrects her shooting.
 

OK outing I guess. But did we just get outrebounded 42-31 by Milwaukee? Too many fouls as well. Is Milwaukee a better team than they look on paper?
Yes. Gophers scored the most points on them this season. They want the score low so they slow the pace. They have been i”in” all but one game. So, yes, they are ok and seem well coached to their strengths. I thought the way the Gophers responded late in the 3rd quarter was really good and shows how quickly they are able to score in bunches. Good game for the Gophers as they have had a really busy two weeks of competition.
 


Condensed Game -- Minnesota vs Milwaukee 12-14-22

 




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