ESPN: 100 days before the season top stories

Under "Wild Predictions":

Minnesota gets another NCAA tournament bid. The Gophers have made just two NCAA tournament appearances since 2009: in 2015 and 2018 under former coach Marlene Stollings. They were 25-11 overall and 8-10 in the Big Ten last season, winning the WBIT title. Dawn Plitzuweit will look to build on the WBIT success in her third season at Minnesota. -- Voepel

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I wouldn’t exactly call that “wild” when you have every starter returning and coming off of a WBIT title…

adamj95 said:

I wouldn’t exactly call that “wild” when you have every starter returning and coming off of a WBIT title…

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Plus Mara Braun back from injury.

I hate to be the stick in the mud, but I think they're a bubble team at best. I don't see the talent or athleticism that will translate to a season that will make NCAA qualifying a piece of cake.

I believe that our defense will be the key to the Tourney run

Mnwhiteshoes said:

I believe that our defense will be the key to the Tourney run

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Improvement behind the 3-pt line, on both sides of the ball, is the key to the season. Hoping Braun can be a big help here.

Last year, the team was dramatically improved in 2-pt FG%, improving from 13th in league play (out of 14) to 5th in league play (out of 18). But the Gophers were still terrible from 3. in 2023-24, the Gophers were 13th in 3-pt FG% (out of 14), and last year the Gophers were 17th in 3pt FG% in league play (out of 18).

3-pt FG defense also remained terrible last year. Don't know if it's more scheme or personnel, but 3-pt D has been terrible in league play under Coach P. In 2023-24, the Gophers were last in league play in opponents' 3-pt FG%, and last in opponents 3-pt makes per league game. Last year, the Gophers were 17th in opponents' 3-pt FG% in league play, and 15th in BIG opponents' 3-pt makes per game.

Hope to hear from Coach P that improvement from 3 is the # 1 thing they are working on this off-season.