2025-2026 season starters

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AllEars

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I am AllEars and new to the thread. I have a been supporter of wbb since 2000. First I would like to echo Rose’s comment about finishing the season strong!
I am posting this thread to listen to others regarding something that has been occupying real estate in my head for some time… who are the starters next year?
I have made the following assumptions: none of the core team leaves; Hart, Battle, and Braun start. That leaves GG, Heyer, and McKinney to fill the remaining two spots. I looked at the stats from the 8 game stretch from Michigan to Oregon… the team won two and lost six. I only used stats available on the Gopher website. Stats…
Heyer:
Averaged about 34 min; 41% from the field (29-70); 37% - 3pt (13-37); 75% FT (3-4); 76 rebs (17 Off, 59 Def) including 3 double/doubles; 17 PF no FO’s; 6 AST; 6 TO; 2 BLK; 3 STL; 9.5 ppg
Grocholski:
Averaged about 38 min; 39% from the field (30-77); 38% - 3pt (14-37); 92% FT (11-12); 38 rebs (10 Off, 28 Def) no double/doubles; 17 PF no FO’s; 27 AST; 27 TO; 2 BLK; 6 STL; 10.6 ppg
McKinney;
Averaged about 31 min; 46% from the field (29-63); 15% - 3pt (3-20); 83% FT (15-18); 18 Rebs (7 Off, 11 Def) no doubles/doubles; 29 PF one FO; 21 AST; 14 TO; 0 BLK; 11 STL; 9.5 ppg

My thoughts:
Given the strong defensive presence, reasonable shooting, no FO, low TO I give the 4th starting position to Heyer.
GG is an all around good player and can bring instant offensive. She brings a calmness to the floor… Braun also does this and is the leader of this team on and off the floor.
I like McKinneys athleticism and energy. I am hopeful that she will mature over the off season and heed Coach P’s words to slow down. I would to see McKinney start… so the 5th position goes to McKinney.

I look forward to your thoughts… I am AllEars
 

I trust the coach will put the best roster forward.

Battle
Braun
Hart

Those are my top 3 starters
Then it depends on what coach wants rotation to look like. GG is teally good and tough. I think I’d keep her in starting lineup. Heyer and McKinney could be interchangeable. Heyer might bring a good spark off the bench.

Transferring will be interesting. The team seems solid but you never know in this new world of college sports.
 

Even if Battle, Hart, Braun, Heyer, and GG are the starters, McKinney needs to play as much time as any starter, thereby taking the minutes load off the four other than Hart. The bigger question is who is subbing for Hart? And who else will be ready to come off the bench? How long will Woodson need to recover and be ready?
 

I'm willing to bet the starting lineup will be the same next season as it was at the beginning of this season. Grocholski is like the glue that holds everyone else together, and based on interviews Coach P has done, it seems like she sees a lot in Grace even when the stat sheet doesn't show it. Heyer seems to be the most likely to fall out, but she's also the only Gopher who has started literally every game of her college career. So I have trouble seeing them pull her out for her last year if only because that would be a major vibe killer. I could see them being quick to bring in the first subs next year, though. Just like how Stewart is always subbing in within the first 2-3 minutes of each game like clockwork.
 

MaroonMagic said:
I'm willing to bet the starting lineup will be the same next season as it was at the beginning of this season. Grocholski is like the glue that holds everyone else together, and based on interviews Coach P has done, it seems like she sees a lot in Grace even when the stat sheet doesn't show it. Heyer seems to be the most likely to fall out, but she's also the only Gopher who has started literally every game of her college career. So I have trouble seeing them pull her out for her last year if only because that would be a major vibe killer. I could see them being quick to bring in the first subs next year, though. Just like how Stewart is always subbing in within the first 2-3 minutes of each game like clockwork.
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plus tbh Mal is our only true rebounder.. I know that could change.. but taking her out and you lose a very good rebounder.
 


Yeah I don't see coach P moving away from her original starting 5, unless they get some huge impact transfer. A lot will depend on how quickly Woodson recovers and what we get (if anything) out of the two incoming freshman. I really hope we can get a big time point guard to move battle off the ball (personally feel she would shine - I am sure some will disagree) and then another big. I think we have two open scholarships to use.
 

I would find it hard to see McKinney to go back to the bench with her defense. But it's a great thing for a team that struggled to have productive depth to have six players who all could and should be starters. I will say Mal should stay in the lineup as she does soooo many of the hardhat, extra-effort plays for the team.
 

bball_craz_31 said:
I would find it hard to see McKinney to go back to the bench with her defense. But it's a great thing for a team that struggled to have productive depth to have six players who all could and should be starters. I will say Mal should stay in the lineup as she does soooo many of the hardhat, extra-effort plays for the team.
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My comments are from a spectator prospective, I have no coaching experience. I don’t believe Coach P will change her lineup and trust her judgement and that of her assistants.

My rationale that McKinney should start before Grocholski;
- I consider Grace to be the most versatile player on the team. I think Coach P has asked a lot from her and she has responded well.
- She has been the glue and steadying influence, but Braun also brings this ‘glue’ and is looked upon as the leader of the team.
- Finally, I think Grace could sub-in for Braun, Battle, McKinney, Heyer, and in certain circumstance's Hart.
 

Based on PT it’s obvious that Coach P trusts GG a lot on both ends of the court. While I understand the interest in discussing the starters I put more emphasis on the overall impact each player makes in the games. Injuries, foul trouble and individual opponent match ups can alter PT in any given game. I trust Coach P to play the best available players.
 



Given how well she's played as a freshman this year, it won't take much more development until McKinney is a star. Tough to see her coming off the bench next year.

Regardless it is a good problem to have. Teams that win those close, hard fought games have players who come off the bench and actually help to increase leads or force defenses to adapt to different skills that just entered the game. The past few years our bench has really only provided temporary rest for the starters.
 

On offense, the lineup challenge will be to maintain this year’s great improvement from 2, and figure out how to shoot better from 3. Losing Stewart hurts the 3–pt offense, but hope Braun, Johnson and 2nd-year McKinney can more than fill the void.
 

BigTenGuy said:
On offense, the lineup challenge will be to maintain this year’s great improvement from 2, and figure out how to shoot better from 3. Losing Stewart hurts the 3–pt offense, but hope Braun, Johnson and 2nd-year McKinney can more than fill the void.
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Very True. I do think that both incoming Freshman are suppose to be pretty good shooters; but, we all know if they don't play defense they won't see the court much the first year. I'm really intrigued what they do in the portal with the couple open spots.
 

I would like to see Braun run some point and be a mini Beuckers… facilitate and score,, I think McKinney, Braun and GG would be a interesting trio… when Battle struggles or needs a rest
 



Roland Brooks said:
I would like to see Braun run some point and be a mini Beuckers… facilitate and score,, I think McKinney, Braun and GG would be a interesting trio… when Battle struggles or needs a rest
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I agree with your comments. I have read many of your posts and respect your insight... but, do you have thoughts on the starting five? I have posted my thoughts and the reasons why.
The just posted Star Tribune article and post Purdue game interview with Coach P acknowledge her growth and importance to the team.
I am AllEars
 

AllEars said:
I agree with your comments. I have read many of your posts and respect your insight... but, do you have thoughts on the starting five? I have posted my thoughts and the reasons why.
The just posted Star Tribune article and post Purdue game interview with Coach P acknowledge her growth and importance to the team.
I am AllEars
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"The just posted Star Tribune article and post Purdue game interview with Coach P acknowledge her growth and importance to the team." By "her", I mean Grace.
 

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