you would pass on Olivia Olson? she is the #1 PLAYER IN MINNESOTA for the 24' you'd pass on getting the #1player? are you kidding? so you'd also pass on Tessa Johnson, because we already have guards? c'mon nowIf it was me advising on strategic planning, I would pass on the 2024 guards Olivia Olson and Alivia McGill of Minnesota. Instead I'd:
-Focus on retaining the players the Gophers have -- especially the current top guards. Once the Gophers start making big headlines next season they will surely have transfer portal opportunities. Keep them home.
-Reload in 2025 by focusing on the elite Aaliyah Crump and other 2025 prospects.
-Fortify depth. Can always use another hard-to-find "big."
Melissa Maines has been elevated to the title of Assistant AD/General Manager of Women's Basketball. That's a great move, even historic.
In the new world of college basketball -- and the big-time Big Ten -- the school needs to win at things other than what the coaches are doing.
So when South Carolina and $25,000 per year comes calling for Crump, let's be clear that Melissa Maines has the ball. If that means saving up in advance with a 3-year plan, great. Do whatever it takes to empower Maines to make that shot. And in the interim Maines should be working relationships in the community to build the support to reload this program after the Fab 4 approach the end of their historic run.
Despite efforts by Minnesota, Tessa Johnson signed with South Carolina and Olivia Olson has committed to MI. Is there a point to continue recruiting them?you would pass on Olivia Olson? she is the #1 PLAYER IN MINNESOTA for the 24' you'd pass on getting the #1player? are you kidding? so you'd also pass on Tessa Johnson, because we already have guards? c'mon now
I am sure both players talked with Whalen after their respective commitments and made it clear whether they were 100% solid or not. I do not see many basketball players flip their commitments. Depending on their relationship, Whalen may reach out on occasion to check in but it is highly likely that the Gophers have moved on.Despite efforts by Minnesota, Tessa Johnson signed with South Carolina and Olivia Olson has committed to MI. Is there a point to continue recruiting them?
Some context with this... Gophers are likely in 5th place of this 6 teams for her. As of right now, they are not on her expected four official visits plans.
While I agree usually a list can sometimes signal not picking gophers, I think it more so has to do with the amount of contact the player has to deal with. When they do the top 5,6 10 etc, other schools (usually) stop reaching out so it's less time making call backs etc.I could be wrong, but any recruit who has put a top however many they choose has not seemed to pick the Gophers. I felt like they had a chance with Johnson, but usually I don’t even feel like they have a chance. I don’t like these kids wasting the Gophers time. As for Zubich…..I think it would be foolish to go anywhere besides Minnesota. I know her Dad coaches football, which would make attending early games tough. She would get a ton of support from local fans if she went to Minnesota. I can almost guarantee MIB would be represented at every game. (I compare her to Wagner) However I have said, if they don’t want to be gophers I don’t want them. This current team is a bunch of kids who want to be gophers, and WILL be successful soon.