B1G Game 3: Gophers visit Wisconsin (12-31-24)

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Ignatius L Hoops

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Serah Williams, Wisconsin’s 6’4” junior forward, is undefeated in her four games versus Minnesota. Last March, an anticipated post-season Gopher/ Badger WNIT matchup was derailed by the St. Louis Billikens who traveled to Kohl Center and made off with a 65-60 victory on their way to the WNIT championship. The Billikens’ chances of winning improved after Williams tore her right meniscus a minute into the game. Last season, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year averaged 17.4 points and 10.7 rebounds in 30 minutes per game. Plus, for emphasis, she swatted 84 shots. Following offseason surgery, rehab and some assurances from head coach Marisa Mosley that help was on the way, Williams is off to a solid start averaging 19.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in 31.8 minutes. And as a reminder she has 36 blocks in 13 games.

Williams led the way in last season’s two victories over the Gophers. In the January game in Madison, she delivered 24 points and 15 rebounds in a 59-56 win. And in the return match at Williams Arena, she was better with 30 points and 15 rebounds in a 67-56 Badger win. It was Wisconsin’s fourth straight victory in the series. Jeez, it’s not as if the Badgers are a tough out. Wisconsin’s Big Ten record in each of the last two seasons is 6-12.

Attempting to improve Badger prospects, Mosley hit the transfer portal looking for inside and outside help to relieve the pressure on Williams. On the inside from Northern Kentucky came 6’1” sophomore center Carter McCray who averages 11.3 points and 7.5 rebounds in 26.6 minutes. McCray was the Horizon League’s Freshman of the Year.

On the outside from Duquesne came 5’9” graduate guard Tess Meyers who averages 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 28.2 minutes. Meyers is a three-point threat who is 27-77 (351) from behind the arc.

After Wisconsin’s two Big Ten games, a 66-64 home win over Rutgers and a 52-83 road loss to Indiana, the results are mixed. Meyers was 3-10 from three (11 points) versus Rutgers and 2-4 (6 points) versus Indiana. Meanwhile McCray made an impact against the Scarlet Knights with 14 points and 8 rebounds: but less so versus the Hoosiers with 10 points and 5 rebounds. The center of attention, Serah Williams, hit her average against Rutgers with 20 points and 13 rebounds and struggled against IU posting 13 points and 11 rebounds. The more things change…

The other two starters are familiar to Gopher fans. 5’8” graduate guard Natalie Leuzinger averages 8.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 29.8 minutes. And from St. Paul comes 5’4” junior point guard Ronnie Porter averaging 10.6 points and 4 rebounds in 33.9 minutes.

Here’s hoping the Badgers are the same 6-12 team they’ve been during the last two seasons and that the Gophers are not the same 5-13 team from last year. We’ve got to stop hanging with these guys at the bottom of the B1G.
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Wish this game was at home. Madison, Kohl center has bouncy, weird loose rims. Porter always plays her tail off against the Gophers. Doubt this game will be different. Hopefully Mckinney can cut off Porters drives to the basket. We owe the Badgers. Go Gophers!
 
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Don't want to call this a must win; but if this program is ever going to fully turn the table these are the games we have to win. Show incoming recruits we can beat the lower tier teams. We usually don't play well in Madison, so hopefully they come out with a little more fire power and toughness. After a top performance against Penn State hopefully that continues! Go Gophs!
 

Can’t imagine Coach P starting 0-3 against her home-state Badgers. Gophers will win.
 

gopherdudepart2 said:
Wish this game was at home. Madison, Kohl center has bouncy, weird loose rims. Porter always plays her tail off against the Gophers. Doubt this game will be different. Hopefully Mckinney can cut off Porters drives to the basket. We owe the Badgers. Go Gophers!
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interesting......
 


DietCokeFan said:
Don't want to call this a must win . . .
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As of today, the Gophers' BIG road schedule is 6 Quad 1 games (Nebraska, MD, USC, UCLA, OSU & MSU), 1 Quad 3 game (Wisconsin) and 2 Quad 4 games (Purdue and Northwestern). Beating Wisconsin is the best chance for a non-Quad 4 road victory (although winning at MSU is possible).
 

BigTenGuy said:
As of today, the Gophers' BIG road schedule is 6 Quad 1 games (Nebraska, MD, USC, UCLA, OSU & MSU), 1 Quad 3 game (Wisconsin) and 2 Quad 4 games (Purdue and Northwestern). Beating Wisconsin is the best chance for a non-Quad 4 road victory (although winning at MSU is possible).
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okay its a must win then :)
 

The Penn State game felt like the Gophers were playing with a little bit of chip on their shoulders after being blown out last season by the Lady Lions. I hope they come out with the same energy, confidence and execution. Eventually you have to put an end to your biggest rival losing streak and live up to your potential. Yes winning on the road is tough but if you want to be looked at as a program on the rise, you need these types of wins. For whatever reason, the Gophers just struggle with the Badgers with or without Braun in the line up. Let’s end the streak and come out with a victory. Go Gophers!
 




DietCokeFan said:
okay its a must win then :)
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A must win for the Badgers too, though don’t think it will help them. The Badgers sorta have the reserve schedule than the Gophers. They play USC, UCLA, OSU and Maryland all at home (the Gophers play them all on the road). So that’s 4 home losses baked in for Bucky. They also get Michigan at home, and only 2 of Rutgers, NW, Purdue and PSU at home. So the Badgers are looking at a lot of home losses.
 

DietCokeFan said:
Don't want to call this a must win; but if this program is ever going to fully turn the table these are the games we have to win. Show incoming recruits we can beat the lower tier teams. We usually don't play well in Madison, so hopefully they come out with a little more fire power and toughness. After a top performance against Penn State hopefully that continues! Go Gophs!
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This is a game they need to win if they have tournament hopes.
 






How many times/have the gophers ever held a team without a field goal in a quarter? Wow!
 




Yeah been pretty rough after the 1st quarter. Need to settle down after a Badger push. Missing easy shots!
 


Really wish Johnson was able to sneak some minutes. The bench appears to be down to two. Will be a bonus to hopefully get Mara back maybe in a few more weeks.
 



DietCokeFan said:
Really wish Johnson was able to sneak some minutes. The bench appears to be down to two. Will be a bonus to hopefully get Mara back maybe in a few more weeks.
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I imagine as she gets better defensively, she will see more minutes. Playing good defense is a must in Coach P's system. That's how you earn minutes.
 

after that great first quarter, we were outscored by 10 the rest of the way 46-36..

not sure what happened to the offense after scoring 23 in the 1st quarter.. but oof..

9 made baskets in the 1st quarter..
9 made baskets in the 2ND HALF..

first time all season Tori looed like a Freshman but guessing scouting report is now out on her!

Sophie played MUCH better today then she did last year in Madison.

glad we got the win.. but we will have to have more of an offense on Sunday against Illinois..
 

DietCokeFan said:
Don't want to call this a must win; but if this program is ever going to fully turn the table these are the games we have to win. Show incoming recruits we can beat the lower tier teams. We usually don't play well in Madison, so hopefully they come out with a little more fire power and toughness. After a top performance against Penn State hopefully that continues! Go Gophs!
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You called this one: come out with more firepower!
 





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