B1G Game 4: Gophers host Northwestern 1-8-26

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Gopher Ally said:
Nice to have a blowout and get some bench players time before big USC game
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Indeed, surprised not developing Christian/Klick more in rotations for when Two of the 5(Glenn/Tori/Braun/GG/Battle get into foul trouble or struggling with shooting, etc. She got in some but number was never seen to be called upon.

Onto USC which is getting close to being a must W

Rah!
 



What did you think about Northwestern calling TOs down 30+ points with minutes left in the game? Maybe he has a 35 point play he has been saving just for the right scenario.
And their starters still playing way late into the game? Possible injuries always scare me.
 





It was a strong showing against a team that they should have had a strong showing against. However, I feel there are a few little things to highlight. I will admit, yes, it's one game, and she is inconsistent; however, Amaya gets A LOT of hate/critique on here.

While it was only 3 shots, she took none of those frustrating long 2s. All three of her shots were at the rim and attacking. She got back to getting teammates involved, having 5 assists after having 2 total over the last two games. Could have had 7-8 with good passes, but Sophie got blocked, and others missed open looks. Yes, I think we need Amaya to maybe shoot more than 3, but I liked her knowing and looking aggressive getting to the rim.

Once again small amount, but Mara felt like she was hunting "her shots" like that fading one right before the half. That's a mara shot that she hit her first year and a half consistently before the injuries. She and GG both may need more shots, but I liked seeing Mara, Amaya, and GG not forcing shots and everyone taking what was open.

Also, maybe because it was Northwestern, it felt like the Gophers looked to push the pace and try and score quicker than other times this year. Once they beat the press (for sure during first 3 quarters) they tried going to the rim and either finishing or kicking out. It felt like the offense has more pep in the step than other slog-fest games.

Looking at Big Ten 4 games.... Gophers Defense (surprise surprise) seems to be what determines if win or not.

2 wins: Gophers score avg of 75 PPG and give up 48.5 PPG

2 losses: Gophers score avg of 79.5 ppg but give up 85 PPG
 



And, pre-game, the Gophers did a nice recognition of Northwestern coach Joe McKeown who is retiring at the end of the season after 18 years with the Wildcats. He's been at the coaching game since 1979. During his tenure at George Washington, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was one of his assistants for a time.
 


Gophers D is solid. The difference is shooting was off against Michigan. Gophers were up early but then shot a lot of misses.

Another difference is Gophers beat two really bad teams and could have beat two very good teams but lost to the good teams.

Win vs Indiana conference record: 0-5

Win vs Northwestern conference record: 0-5

Loss vs #7 Maryland conference record: 4-1

Loss vs #9 Michigan conference record.
: 4-1


Field goal shooting vs sucky Indiana: 40.8%. Gophers scored 71.

Field goal shooting vs bottom feeder Northwestern: 50%. Gophers scored 79 including be ch playing the 4th.

Field goal shooting vs Maryland: 36.4. Went to double OT.

Field goal shooting vs Michigan: 38.6. Gophers scored 60.

The D is a signature strength of Coach Dawn P.

Keep the shooting percentage respectable and Gophers will do well.

It is not rigidly so but generally shooting, not D, is my only concern and probably fine forward.
 




Doesn’t show up in the box score perhaps but I also thought Mara played a good game. Still trying to find her shot, but she didn’t force it either. I agree with others that they still need work breaking the press. I have a feeling they will see a lot of it during the next four games. Can’t have 4 teammates on the other side of the court while one player brings the ball up, hoping this improves as the conference season moves on.
 


I continue to be impressed by our defense, and it’s clearly our strength. This team can shut some really good players down.

It looked to me like our offense is progressing last night. Not as fast as I’d like, but I like the forward progress.

Battle had one of my favorite moves to the basket I’ve seen from a Gopher offense in awhile. She took the ball up the right straight to the hoop and it looked so athletic and effortless. If we had a few players making consistent moves like that we could do some amazing things.

I enjoyed seeing Braun make a last second shot at the end of a quarter - it felt like freshman year Mara. It felt like she had a look on her face after like this is what I want to be doing.

The 4th quarter was interesting for me because while the quality of play went down with the bench in playing pretty much the entire time the defense stayed fairly strong. It really felt like the foundation is placed on that end of the court, and work up on the rest of the game.

I like the DJ this season and the vibe the music brings. I like the hype person on the mic at the games, but for two years now has been trying to get this “Go-phers” chant as the team comes out at the beginning of the games that feels so forced. It’s like trying to make fetch happen. I’m curious how many seasons trying to make that chant work goes on. And the dance team at half time… Wow, they’re good. You can easily see how they’re a championship squad.

It was a fun night, and ready to watch our Gophers take down USC. It feels we’re (over)due to overcome that hump against better competition this season.
 

WinMinGophers! said:
. . .Keep the shooting percentage respectable and Gophers will do well.

It is not rigidly so but generally shooting, not D, is my only concern and probably fine forward.
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Agree. In the Michigan post-game radio interview, Coach P stressed the need to shoot more efficiently, and sounded frustrated (my interpretation) on that score. Four conference games is a small sample size, but conference stats demonstrate in spades the need for the team, specifically Mara and Amaya, to shoot better and/or to get more shots for GG.

As of today, 50 BIG players are averaging double figures in conference play. In that group, GG is 4th in the league in FG% (57.8%), Amaya is 49th (30.2%) and Mara is 50th (27.5%). When 3-pt shots are factored in to produce an Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG%), GG is 3rd in the conference at 73.3% among the 50 double-figure scorers in conference play, Mara is 49th at 33.3% and Amaya is 50th at 30.2%. Of course, 4 games is a small sample size, and Mara is battling back from 2 injuries, so material improvement may happen.
 

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