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Gophers lost to three teams towards the bottom of the AP 25. Gophers are playing more complete basketball since then, especially offense.
Gophers lost in double OT to a high-ranked-at-the-time Maryland team.
Gophers were without their best defender Tori McKinney and lost to Washington on the road. They would beat Washington now with McKinney.
Gophers lost to Alabama.
So what does that say about the Gophers? No way Minnesota could be favored over the high-powered Ohio State. I'll stand by my odds.
Gophers were leading high ranked Michigan (now #7) at half. Then the offense swooned. The offense was having problems back then. The offense is now better.
Gophers are a stout defense team. That is one trademark of
Coach Dawn Plitzuweit. She has a certain system, her style. It's all connected. The video study, the defense strategy, the offense strategy. It's over my level of understanding to explain it. Here is what I can say.
Gophers are fantastic at defense.
The offense was struggling. Her offense views came under fire. Gophers were not doing a good job on screens, not sure if they moved away from stuff that wasn't working. Her offense was described and lots of dribbling and little ball movement, few screens, less off the pass shooting. It's not based around many preplanned plays. I don't know what was going on, this is over my level.
The offense has finally kicked in. The engine is now purring.
Go read the other thread at Gopher Hole about the
Mara Braun Watch Continues. She had suffered two foot injuries in a row. She was struggling earlier. Was she washed up? She's now further back -- but not yet 100%. Although her total game is more complete than ever.
Bottom line: Coach Plitzuweit is an elite defense coach with an offense style that wasn't working for whatever reason and now it's all clicking.
Below is from AI, don't trust all that is in this:
Coach
Dawn Plitzuweit has implemented a "defense-first" total system at
Minnesota that has made the Gophers one of the most disciplined teams in the nation for
2026. Her philosophy is rooted in a
process-driven approach where defensive stops and ball security directly fuel a versatile, modern offense.
1. The Defensive System: "Discipline and Disruptiveness"
Plitzuweit’s defensive identity is primarily a high-intensity
man-to-man system that she adapts based on opponent personnel and actions.
- Controlling the Controllable: Her system is based on the belief that while shots may not always fall, defensive effort and understanding can be consistent every night.
- Defensive Pillars: The system is built on three core pillars: Toughness, Togetherness, and "Find a Way".
- Technical Precision: Known as a "film junkie," Plitzuweit emphasizes "defensive disruptiveness"—using precise technical habits to force opponents into uncomfortable shots or mistakes without fouling.
- 2026 Impact: This disciplined approach has led Minnesota to rank #1 in the Big Ten in scoring defense (55.9 PPG) and #1 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (10.1), ensuring opponents rarely get easy transition points.
2. The Offensive Connection: Positionless & Motion-Based
Plitzuweit’s offense is designed to be a direct byproduct of her defensive success. She utilizes a system that leans heavily into
positionless basketball and
motion principles.
- Defense-to-Offense Fuel: The intensity the Gophers bring on the defensive end is intended to "fuel their transition offense". By forcing stops and securing rebounds, the team can push the pace before the opponent's defense is set.
- Positionless Philosophy: Plitzuweit recruits and develops players to be versatile. She wants as many players as possible to be "comfortable handling the basketball" so they can all "push it" in transition. This eliminates the need for a traditional point guard to initiate every set, allowing for a faster, more unpredictable attack.
- Motion Offense: The half-court system is an "ideal world" motion offense that emphasizes floor spacing, attacking the rim, and high-volume three-point shooting. It is designed to "take what the defense gives," requiring all five players on the floor to be threats to pass, drive, or shoot.
3. Key Statistical Profile (February 2026)
This total system has propelled the Gophers to a
Top 10 NET ranking.
| System Component | Statistic | National/Conference Rank |
|---|
| Defensive Discipline | 13.7 Fouls Per Game | #1 in Big Ten |
| Defensive Disruptiveness | 56.1 Points Allowed | #1 in Big Ten / #19 NCAA |
| Ball Security | 10.1 Turnovers Per Game | #1 in NCAA |
| Offensive Connection | 1.61 Assist-to-Turnover | #4 in NCAA |
Under Plitzuweit, the
Minnesota Gophers have become a "player-led program" where defensive toughness and offensive versatility are inseparable, allowing them to compete with the elite teams of the
Big Ten.
More about the offense that was struggling but doing better now.
You are absolutely right that it looks like fluid motion, but that fluidity is the result of a highly structured system called a
"Read and React" Motion Offense.
Since you want to look past the Pick and Roll, the "secret sauce" of Coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s offense is actually
off-ball screening and
strict decision-making rules.
Here is how the offense works without relying on the ball screen:
1. The "Fluidity" is Actually a Loop (Continuity)
What you perceive as fluid motion is likely a "Continuity" offense.
- How it works: In a freelance offense, players just find open space. In Plitzuweit’s system, if Option A is stopped, the players immediately flow into Option B, and then Option C, without stopping to reset.
- The Visual: This creates that "endless motion" look. The ball moves from side to side, and bodies are constantly cutting, but they are following a specific map (e.g., "Pass and Cut away," or "Pass and Screen away").
2. The Real Engine: Off-Ball Screening
If you take your eyes off the ball handler (Amaya Battle) and watch the other four players, you will see the real structure.
- Screening for Shooters: With elite shooters like Mara Braun and Grace Grocholski, the offense is designed to get them open before they catch the ball. You will often see "Stagger Screens" (two players setting a screen side-by-side) or "Pin-Downs" (screening down toward the baseline) to free them up for a catch-and-shoot.
- Screen-the-Screener: A common "play" within the motion is where Player A sets a screen for Player B, and then immediately receives a screen from Player C. This causes confusion for the defense and makes the movement look chaotic (fluid) to them, but it’s actually highly scripted.
3. The "4-Out, 1-In" Structure
Unlike some modern "5-Out" offenses (where everyone stands at the three-point line), the Gophers utilize
Sophie Hart as a true post presence inside.
- The Pivot Point: Hart often acts as a hub. The guards feed her the ball in the high post (near the free-throw line) or low block.
- Cutting: Once the ball goes inside to Hart, the "fluidity" kicks into high gear. The perimeter players immediately cut toward the basket (Laker cuts) or drift to the corner. This prevents the defense from helping off the shooters.
4. Pace as Proof of Structure
The biggest evidence that this is a planned offense rather than "free-flowing" pickup style is their
Pace and Turnover Rate.
- The Gophers play deliberately slow. They are comfortable using 25+ seconds of the shot clock to grind the defense down.
- They consistently rank among the nation's best in turnover margin. A loose, undefined offense usually results in high turnovers; Plitzuweit’s low-turnover numbers prove that every player knows exactly where they are supposed to be.
Summary
It isn't that they are running a different "play" every time down the court. Instead, they are running one flexible
system that has endless counters.
Next time you watch: Ignore the ball handler completely for two possessions. Watch
Grace Grocholski run the baseline. You will likely see her run through a "gauntlet" of screens set by her teammates to pop out on the other side. That is the "preplanned" part of the motion.
More about the elite defense
Plitzuweit primarily employs a
high-intensity man-to-man defensive system. While she adjusts the tactical specifics (like ball-screen coverage) based on the opponent and her current roster's strengths, the fundamentals remain constant:
- Protecting the Paint: The defense is designed to be "gap-oriented," meaning players often sag slightly off non-shooters to clog driving lanes and support their post players.
- Controlling the Boards: A hallmark of her system is limiting second-chance opportunities. In the 2025-26 season, the Gophers have consistently out-rebounded opponents, often holding them to single-digit offensive rebounds.
- Ball Screen Discipline: Plitzuweit emphasizes technical precision in how her guards and bigs communicate through screens, aiming to stay attached to shooters while preventing easy rolls to the rim.
Key Statistical Success (2025-26 Season)
The results of this system have been stark, especially in the current 2026 campaign. The Gophers have climbed to the top of the conference in several defensive metrics:
| Metric | Rank/Stat | Impact |
| Scoring Defense | 55.9 PPG | Ranked 1st in the Big Ten and 18th nationally. |
| Field Goal Defense | ~34.6% (vs. WI) | Forcing teams into low-percentage, contested shots. |
| Turnover Margin | +4.5 | Ranked 1st in the Big Ten; utilizes pressure to create transition offense. |
| Ball Security | 10.1 TOPG | Leads the nation in fewest turnovers, which prevents "fast-break" defense situations. |
Personnel and Application
Plitzuweit’s defense relies on versatile players who can switch or recover quickly.
- Sophie Hart acts as the "anchor" in the middle, providing a dominant shot-altering presence.
- Tori McKinney and Mara Braun provide length at the guard positions, which Plitzuweit uses to disrupt passing lanes and contest perimeter shots without fouling.
- Physicality: Players are expected to "battle each possession." This grit was a primary reason for the team’s 2025 WBIT Championship and their current hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed in 2026.
This video provides a deep dive into Coach Plitzuweit's "On The Court" philosophy, highlighting how she builds a player-led culture centered on defensive accountability and toughness.
Go read the other thread at Gopher Hole about the
Mara Braun Watch Continues.
