Game 1: Gophers host Central Connecticut (11-4-24)

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Ignatius L Hoops

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I COME BOUNCING BACK TO YOU​

Minnesota taps off the season hosting Central Connecticut State University from New Britain CT. The Blue Devils have a long if undistinguished basketball history beginning with the 1971-72 season. For the next 25 years, including the transition to NCAA Division 1 in 1986-87, they were coached by DR Brenda Reilly. Although coaching changes have come more frequently in recent years, current head coach Way Veney is only the sixth head coach to lead the program.

Like Dawn Plitzuweit, Way Veney (a former Temple assistant) is in her second season at the helm. Veney inherited a team that has experienced only two post season appearances-the 2009 and 2019 WNITs. Last season the Blue Devils (9-21, 7-9 NEC) finished 5th in the nine team Northeast Conference behind Sacred Heart, Le Moyne, FDU and Merrimack.

This season CCSU is projected to finish 2nd to FDU in the NEC. (Sacred Heart and Merrimack have moved on from the NEC replaced by Chicago State and Mercyhurst).

The Gophers and Blue Devils have never met; but, for fun, we can look at some comparative scores.

Last season CCSU lost to Illinois 50-89, Penn State 73-101 and Fairfield 52-78. And last season, Minnesota crushed NEC schools LIU 92-57 and Chicago State 100-42.

This week the NEC released its preseason all-conference team which included Blue Devil graduate guard 5’5” Belle Lanpher. More on Lanpher and her teammates here:

CCSU Blue Devils Women's Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25 — NEC Blitz


I must note that New Britain, AKA “Hardware City” was the birthplace of Stanley Tool. Which made me wonder why CCSU went with a generic nickname-Blue Devils. I mean, they could’ve been the Hammers or Rip Saws.

Nevertheless, a basketball playing timekeeper employed by Stanley gifted future round ballers with the invention of the dribble. During the 1895-96 season, according to the New Britain Industrial Museum, Bernadotte Loomis unveiled the dribble during a game at the New Britain YMCA. Fortunately, James Naismith was in attendance. Naismith overrode the objections of the opposing team and blessed this form of passing to oneself. It has been the bane of coaches ever since.
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I agree. Great insight and I appreciate your eye for interesting details such as New Briton being the home of Stanley Tool. And WOW, that Stanley Tool connection is involved in bringing a huge change in the game (probably as momentous as someone suggesting the bottom of the peach basket be cut out to let the ball drop to the floor).
 

















These girls sure get after it on the defensive end and crash the boards. Surprised we haven’t seen McKenna Johnson in the first half; could just be a matter of how to find minutes with the talent this year.
Eventually I could see Tori McKinney slide into that starting spot over GG. That girl works her butt off.
 




Well, most pleasant surprise for me was Stewart. She had 18 points. Nice stroke from 3 and a turnaround shot in the lane.
Woodson will help as well. Active, finishes well around the rim. 4 offensive rebounds in limited minutes.
Tori is quick and active.
McKenna can shoot. She is left handed. No right hand. Entered in the 4th qtr
Sophie didn't play much. When she did...she really labored to get up and down the court.
My fears of Coach P's press conference regarding Mara played out. Braun spent a lot of time dancing in place with her "new" between the legs dribble.
We have some depth. Wasn't impressed with the game one victory and we probably won't know much until the Big Ten begins.
 


60's Guy said:
Well, most pleasant surprise for me was Stewart. She had 18 points. Nice stroke from 3 and a turnaround shot in the lane.
Woodson will help as well. Active, finishes well around the rim. 4 offensive rebounds in limited minutes.
Tori is quick and active.
McKenna can shoot. She is left handed. No right hand. Entered in the 4th qtr
Sophie didn't play much. When she did...she really labored to get up and down the court.
My fears of Coach P's press conference regarding Mara played out. Braun spent a lot of time dancing in place with her "new" between the legs dribble.
We have some depth. Wasn't impressed with the game one victory and we probably won't know much until the Big Ten begins.
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You were not impressed? This team is night and day over last years regardless of the opponent. For the first game of the year lots to be excited about. It takes time to build a program. Enjoy the ride.
 


DietCokeFan said:
You were not impressed? This team is night and day over last years regardless of the opponent. For the first game of the year lots to be excited about. It takes time to build a program. Enjoy the ride.
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I agree we have more talent. The starting five from last year has more experience.
Very disappointed in the non conference schedule. Not a fan of our offensive emphasis/approach/philosophy.
They work hard on defense but our team positioning is not sound imo...so I don't see that as a savior for the nights we have trouble scoring versus Big Ten teams who take away the 3.
I could see a night where threes are pouring in and we upset somebody better than us.
We do have multiple shooters.
I'd love to be wrong about our Big Ten fortunes.
 

Lot more depth to this team. Could tell the ones coming off the bench are hungry to earn minutes which is a good thing. Lot more people able to shoot and Woodson driving and attacking the glass will be helpful. Next game vs Vermont should be a bit more of a test. Excited to see how the year goes! Rah!
 

Holloway wasn’t even mentioned and she’s a good active player.
 


Stewart did everything and more of the things that made her such an annoying opponent,

Woodson stood out for attacking the bucket while the emphasis was on threes-very promising

Rose settled down and had some quick hands steals
 

Ignatius L Hoops said:
Stewart did everything and more of the things that made her such an annoying opponent,

Woodson stood out for attacking the bucket while the emphasis was on threes-very promising

Rose settled down and had some quick hands steals
Click to expand...
I was pleasantly surprised to see that attacking the basket is part of Johnson's game, too. (And possibly McKinney's.) Perhaps they'll help make up for Braun still seeming to hate contact.
 

McKinney looked better than I anticipated.
Stewart was very fun to watch.
Woodson will contribute!

Al season last year I said “the top 5 was a tournament team”

Now I’m saying the Gophers are a tournament team. Those are 3 SOLID Bench players! I am excited.

Playing time could be difficult for Czinano, Hollaway and Johnson.

I am so excited to finally get to see them play.!
 

I especially enjoyed when Rose, Woodson, and McKinney were on the floor together. You can tell they enjoy causing chaos. Looking forward to getting more games in to see the improvement.

You can tell Johnson can score the ball just by her free throws and one mid range jumper. Its a beautiful shot. Wonder what is keeping her off the floor? Could be a match up thing, if they need more scoring we may see her more. Nice problem to have.
 

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