Game 10: Gophers host Alabama A&M 12-10-25

[Ignatius L Hoops]

In December 2010 the Gophers traveled to Huntsville, Alabama to play Alabama A & M a HBCU land grant University founded in 1875. It was a trip home for Minnesota guard China Antoine to play in front of family and friends. The outcome was a 75-68 Alabama A & M victory. It was the most embarrassing loss of Pam Borton’s tenure. (Although as we learned Sunday there are different classifications of embarrassment)

China Antoine’s summation:

"We didn't play the way we know how to play," Antoine said. "We didn't show up. They were ready and they came out on top.

While the 2010-11 version of the Gophers was not a good team finishing 12-18 (4-14 B1G), losing to a SWAC team is to be avoided.

The AAMU Bulldogs are coached by Dawn Thornton now beginning her 2nd season. Her first season in Huntsville saw the Bulldogs finish 14-4 in conference play which was good for a second-place tie and a three-year contract extension.

Before rushing to a local betting parlor, please be aware that this season, AAMU has played six division 1 schools and is 0-6. The winners are: Ole Miss 89-45, UAB 80-56, Alabama 66-43, Nevada 57-52, Cincinnati 73-49 and Ball State 70-38.

 

[drewhaus7]

Hard to get excited about another weak team after the Maryland game.

One think like to see is coach use Holloway in more sets with 4 starters to work on getting her ready to help contribute in big 10 play with her athletic ability. 3 years now to develop with this coaching staff. Going to have to FIND A WAY to get her comfortable and think she could contribute more.
Also think she has ability to help McKinney in a front court press that would cause issues as long as not to aggressive and always fouling and run the floor for some fast break layups.

 

[bball_craz_31]

Things to watch in this game in terms of milestones.

-Mara is 6 points from 1,000
-Grace is 19 points from 1,000

 

[Whytetale]

I wonder if McKinney's minutes are limited for this game. It wouldn't surprise me if she's held out to rest and heal up.

 

[Katogopher]

Hard to get excited about another weak team after the Maryland game.

One think like to see is coach use Holloway in more sets with 4 starters to work on getting her ready to help contribute in big 10 play with her athletic ability. 3 years now to develop with this coaching staff. Going to have to FIND A WAY to get her comfortable and think she could contribute more.
Also think she has ability to help McKinney in a front court press that would cause issues as long as not to aggressive and always fouling and run the floor for some fast break layups.

Thank you, feel the same way. I feel that this team in its current state we’ve seen their ceiling, a solid mid major program. Need to do something different, you can’t keep having the same players missing lay ups and shots at the rim, over and over again and again.

 

[Chico Gopher]

Thank you, feel the same way. I feel that this team in its current state we’ve seen their ceiling, a solid mid major program. Need to do something different, you can’t keep having the same players missing lay ups and shots at the rim, over and over again and again.

This is actually a reply to the earlier comment about Holloway's playing time. I accidentally placed the reply under your reply Kato.

Not that the coach will ever throw her under the bus, ( and specifically mention the exact problem areas to fans and the opponents alike) but it makes me wonder what Nia is failing to do every day in practice that keeps her out of a regular rotation.

It's possible that there are match-up issues that Coach P wants to avoid getting Nia into in game situations, but in my experience in watching practices and game films with coaches and talking with them over the years, it's generally a couple of things that do or don't happen every day in practice that limits playing time for most players.

I know she alluded to a lack of instinctiveness to team concepts as a general issue at one point last year. Assuming an experienced and successful coach like Coach P has had many conversations with Nia explaining expectations, and if she doesn't see those expectations being met in practice everyday, game time gets limited. Kinda reminds me of McKenna Johnson last season. So many people complained that she didn't play enough because "She can shoot the 3!". Turned out she wasn't so good at most of the other things she needed to be doing to get floor time. Things like defend or most other "floor game" things that didn't involve shooting a 3. I don't think Coach P ever called her out in public for any specific issues, which, was frustrating for fans, but was protective of a young, developing talent.

Most of the successful coaches I've ever been around, almost never throw mud up against the wall in desperation to see if might stick. They go with the players they trust, and that trust is first developed by what happens every day out of the spotlight of game day. And most of those coaches will keep issues and problems in the locker room, and avoid throwing their players issues out in public for everyone to gossip about.

 

[BBJones]

This is actually a reply to the earlier comment about Holloway's playing time. I accidentally placed the reply under your reply Kato.

Not that the coach will ever throw her under the bus, ( and specifically mention the exact problem areas to fans and the opponents alike) but it makes me wonder what Nia is failing to do every day in practice that keeps her out of a regular rotation.

It's possible that there are match-up issues that Coach P wants to avoid getting Nia into in game situations, but in my experience in watching practices and game films with coaches and talking with them over the years, it's generally a couple of things that do or don't happen every day in practice that limits playing time for most players.

I know she alluded to a lack of instinctiveness to team concepts as a general issue at one point last year. Assuming an experienced and successful coach like Coach P has had many conversations with Nia explaining expectations, and if she doesn't see those expectations being met in practice everyday, game time gets limited. Kinda reminds me of McKenna Johnson last season. So many people complained that she didn't play enough because "She can shoot the 3!". Turned out she wasn't so good at most of the other things she needed to be doing to get floor time. Things like defend or most other "floor game" things that didn't involve shooting a 3. I don't think Coach P ever called her out in public for any specific issues, which, was frustrating for fans, but was protective of a young, developing talent.

Most of the successful coaches I've ever been around, almost never throw mud up against the wall in desperation to see if might stick. They go with the players they trust, and that trust is first developed by what happens every day out of the spotlight of game day. And most of those coaches will keep issues and problems in the locker room, and avoid throwing their players issues out in public for everyone to gossip about.

Hey, we're fans. It wouldn't be much fun if we weren't allowed to speculate.