B1G Game 2: Gophers host Penn State (12-28-24)

[bball_craz_31]

How in the heck could McKinney not have been a class-of-2024 top-100 player? I know she was injured as a junior, but did she improve that much as a high school senior? In this day and age, I'm really already worried about being able to keep her here for four years.

It's a few things. Her injury was at kind of the worst time recruiting-wise as her junior year. Biggest recruiting is typically AAU summer before Junior high school year and then during Junior year.

Also, in AAU and High school, she was viewed more as a defensive specialist and did not always seek to score cause she was surrounded by some major firepower. this was also a complete current coaching staff get. Whalen and the previous staff never made contact with tori at all.

 

[bball_craz_31]

Has anyone heard an update on Mara? Have they mentioned if she will be redshirting or being back this year?

It's up in the air. She went to a different surgeon this time around than last season. Both times the table given is 4-6 weeks. This Tuesday (Dec 31) will be 5 weeks post-surgery. Last year she returned in 5 1/2 weeks for WNIT but coaches and medical say a minimum 8 weeks if she comes back. Also to note, Mara wants to come back BAD. She wants to play.

Another thing to note, if she doesn't come back this season, it's an automatic redshirt given. However, even if she comes back, after missing 8-9 weeks this year combined with time missed last year, they could still apply for 5th year, but it would not be a given in that case.

 

[DietCokeFan]

It's up in the air. She went to a different surgeon this time around than last season. Both times the table given is 4-6 weeks. This Tuesday (Dec 31) will be 5 weeks post-surgery. Last year she returned in 5 1/2 weeks for WNIT but coaches and medical say a minimum 8 weeks if she comes back. Also to note, Mara wants to come back BAD. She wants to play.

Another thing to note, if she doesn't come back this season, it's an automatic redshirt given. However, even if she comes back, after missing 8-9 weeks this year combined with time missed last year, they could still apply for 5th year, but it would not be a given in that case.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Whytetale]

It's up in the air. She went to a different surgeon this time around than last season. Both times the table given is 4-6 weeks. This Tuesday (Dec 31) will be 5 weeks post-surgery. Last year she returned in 5 1/2 weeks for WNIT but coaches and medical say a minimum 8 weeks if she comes back. Also to note, Mara wants to come back BAD. She wants to play.

Another thing to note, if she doesn't come back this season, it's an automatic redshirt given. However, even if she comes back, after missing 8-9 weeks this year combined with time missed last year, they could still apply for 5th year, but it would not be a given in that case.

With us being a Nike school and a recurrence of the same injury, I wonder if there will be a consultation between an orthopedic specialist and Nike to design a special right shoe(s) for her.

 

[Lynx]

One of my favorite parts to watch yesterday was the switching on screens on defense. I don’t remember the last time I watched the Gophers guard the perimeter that well. It was really fun to see. The other was Hart and Stewart just defensively dominating Penn State’s center that came in averaging over 20 points per game and ended this game with zero! She was working hard and *frustrated*. Great job.

Happy to see Johnson on the court after seeing her in street clothes the last game.

And I love when Halloway is in the game. Her athleticism is wild. I hate that Woodson is injured, but enjoying the extra playing time for her and Ciznano.

I appreciate the info about Braun @bball_craz_31!

 

[thatjanelpick]

It's a few things. Her injury was at kind of the worst time recruiting-wise as her junior year. Biggest recruiting is typically AAU summer before Junior high school year and then during Junior year.

Also, in AAU and High school, she was viewed more as a defensive specialist and did not always seek to score cause she was surrounded by some major firepower. this was also a complete current coaching staff get. Whalen and the previous staff never made contact with tori at all.

Playing a bit in the shadow of Crump probably didn't help her profile, either.