Game 14: Gophers Visit Drake (12-23-21)

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Ok so now I’m really nervous. This team is not getting better, has not improved since the Powell, Scalia and Sissoko have arrived on campus. I’m not saying fire Lindsay as I think she should get to work with her recruits but it’s the same ole same ole. I think Lindsay needs to bring in some more experience coaching staff. I’m surprised Sissoko was a 5 star recruit.
 



Now in the 4th, Smith is our offensive go to player.
What a poorly played game by players and coaches
 

Katogopher said:
Ok so now I’m really nervous. This team is not getting better, has not improved since the Powell, Scalia and Sissoko have arrived on campus. I’m not saying fire Lindsay as I think she should get to work with her recruits but it’s the same ole same ole. I think Lindsay needs to bring in some more experience coaching staff. I’m surprised Sissoko was a 5 star recruit.
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Sissoko has had great games. This wasn’t one of them. I too am trying to figure out what is missing with this team? Post play is a big problem, it’s like they are playing 4 the whole game. I have great confidence that Rose is going to be amazing.
 

not sure why you only play Rose 14 minutes.. when she was 3-4 and only 2 fouls...

also when ONLY one starter shows up.. usually doesn't go well.. 14 games in and we still haven't gotten a game where 3 or 4 of our starters are all hitting on all cylinders..

next 8 days should be worked on the back door and not leaving players WIDE OPEN for 3's

really thought they would come out better after 8 days off..
 

Gophers112233 said:
not sure why you only play Rose 14 minutes.. when she was 3-4 and only 2 fouls...

also when ONLY one starter shows up.. usually doesn't go well.. 14 games in and we still haven't gotten a game where 3 or 4 of our starters are all hitting on all cylinders..

next 8 days should be worked on the back door and not leaving players WIDE OPEN for 3's

really thought they would come out better after 8 days off..
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Agree with this. Would like to see more of Rose; I just can't figure out the rest of the team.
 



Katogopher said:
Ok so now I’m really nervous. This team is not getting better, has not improved since the Powell, Scalia and Sissoko have arrived on campus. I’m not saying fire Lindsay as I think she should get to work with her recruits but it’s the same ole same ole. I think Lindsay needs to bring in some more experience coaching staff. I’m surprised Sissoko was a 5 star recruit.
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She's 52-46 with 1 NIT appearance and likely missing postseason this year, I think it's reasonable that they need to start looking for a new coach
 


Wasn't expecting a double digit point loss this game. Wow this program is really floundering. I expected to see a lot more competitive play on the court with Whalen's background as a point guard and pro player. The defense and shooting have not been up to par this season. This coach seems to have lost a little bit of her mystique and shine with the fan base. I know nobody has higher standards than the coach but where is the improvement this season? This should be a little bit better than a 7-7 team. You are what your record say's you are. Hopefully the Christmas break will rejuvenate them some and a chance to rest and go home will be good for the players. They don't really have a back up point guard that can pick up the slack from Powell at all. The back door cut's and the drives to the post,or the kick out's for 3, right now this team just cannot seem to defend this stuff.
 

gopherdudepart2 said:
Wasn't expecting a double digit point loss this game. Wow this program is really floundering. I expected to see a lot more competitive play on the court with Whalen's background as a point guard and pro player. The defense and shooting have not been up to par this season. This coach seems to have lost a little bit of her mystique and shine with the fan base. I know nobody has higher standards than the coach but where is the improvement this season? This should be a little bit better than a 7-7 team. You are what your record say's you are. Hopefully the Christmas break will rejuvenate them some and a chance to rest and go home will be good for the players. They don't really have a back up point guard that can pick up the slack from Powell at all. The back door cut's and the drives to the post,or the kick out's for 3, right now this team just cannot seem to defend this stuff.
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They need to be more square with their players. They are giving up way too much baseline. Their rotation is terrible. They will be passed by St. Thomas if they don’t change some things. They are more disciplined despite less talent. Their posts use good old fashion post moves to score. I guess I’ll say it in multiple threads. Whalen needs help! She needs a proven coach on her bench!
 



Good idea to bring Peterson or Brunson in to coach the post players. I was thinking something similar--bring in Janel McCarville. She would teach the post players how to be physical. I could tolerate post players not scoring if they could keep the opponents from the basket and grab lots of rebounds. If they could go up with the ball physically and get to the free throw line, that would be a big contribution, too.
 


walleye said:
Good idea to bring Peterson or Brunson in to coach the post players. I was thinking something similar--bring in Janel McCarville. She would teach the post players how to be physical. I could tolerate post players not scoring if they could keep the opponents from the basket and grab lots of rebounds. If they could go up with the ball physically and get to the free throw line, that would be a big contribution, too.
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can mccarville teach the men too? shouldn't be 3rd to last in offensive rebounds
 

rowdaboat said:
can mccarville teach the men too? shouldn't be 3rd to last in offensive rebounds
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NOT going for ORBs is part of Johnson's philosophy this year due to lack of size AND lack of depth. Fighting for ORBs leads to stupid fouls and the don't have any fouls to give as the team really only runs 7 deep. Minimizing ORBs also allows the D to more effectively set up and reduces run outs.
 


fanfromthevalley said:
Coyle isn't going to fire Lindsay. Nor would President Gabel. We'll get better. No one wants this team to win more than Coach Whalen.
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Obviously, she wants to win. That's not in question. The question is whether she has what it takes to win as a coach. Right now, the answer to that question isn't a definite yes. Coyle won't fire her unless it becomes a total dumpster fire, but as of now. It doesn't look good.
 

fanfromthevalley said:
Coyle isn't going to fire Lindsay. Nor would President Gabel. We'll get better. No one wants this team to win more than Coach Whalen.
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Lindsey should step down after this year and admit that coaching was not her cup of tea. It's better than the alternative. Gophers can pay her a consultant fee to recruit players from NT and Fury.
 

So close your eyes and visualize this..
This is a PG heavy offense, actually looks like a James Harden offense in which then I turn the channel. Looks like last year mens Gopher team, where Marcus Carr got a high ball screen every time and had to make every decision, thats why Gabe Kalscheur transferred, the fans were on him for his inconsistent play, but think about it, Carr dominated the ball, then Gabe finally gets a look 5 min later and it is hard to be a consistent shooter that way. Deja and Scalia are our Gabe's. Its the same offense set. Scalia has been a little more consistent of late, but that isnt because of the offense that is just her shot making ability from deep.
Our PG's go 6 for 21 and our 1,000 point scorer, Deja, gets 2 shots. Scalia made 8 shots, but just didn't get enough touches early in the 4th and had to many stretches where she wasn't part of the offense.
Defensively, we get exposed when Kadi cant play, there were times we had Kayla and Laura or Baily in at the same time running around trying to guard picks and slips - just not going to work. A zone would of been a good experiment to protect them. Would like to of see us try different defensive schemes to keep opposing teams guessing. We had 8 days to try a zone, zone trap... anything to mix it up.
What is our identity..
 

MNGirlsHoops said:
So close your eyes and visualize this..
This is a PG heavy offense, actually looks like a James Harden offense in which then I turn the channel. Looks like last year mens Gopher team, where Marcus Carr got a high ball screen every time and had to make every decision, thats why Gabe Kalscheur transferred, the fans were on him for his inconsistent play, but think about it, Carr dominated the ball, then Gabe finally gets a look 5 min later and it is hard to be a consistent shooter that way. Deja and Scalia are our Gabe's. Its the same offense set. Scalia has been a little more consistent of late, but that isnt because of the offense that is just her shot making ability from deep.
Our PG's go 6 for 21 and our 1,000 point scorer, Deja, gets 2 shots. Scalia made 8 shots, but just didn't get enough touches early in the 4th and had to many stretches where she wasn't part of the offense.
Defensively, we get exposed when Kadi cant play, there were times we had Kayla and Laura or Baily in at the same time running around trying to guard picks and slips - just not going to work. A zone would of been a good experiment to protect them. Would like to of see us try different defensive schemes to keep opposing teams guessing. We had 8 days to try a zone, zone trap... anything to mix it up.
What is our identity..
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MNGirlsHoops: I know you were optimistic about this season, but it seems like you may be falling off the Whalen bandwagon, or at least holding on for dear life. Going forward, what is a realistic Big Ten record for this season?
 

BigTenGuy said:
MNGirlsHoops: I know you were optimistic about this season, but it seems like you may be falling off the Whalen bandwagon, or at least holding on for dear life. Going forward, what is a realistic Big Ten record for this season?
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I feel this team has the talent to be .500 or better in the BIG and I feel there is an upset looming to one of the top 3 teams.. but I also think it may be unrealistic to expect a sweep(even though that should be the expectation) of teams like WI, IL, Penn St, Rutgers.
This team cant be above .500 with Kadi playing 15 min every other game, we need her for a defensive presence. I'm not sure what is going on with Deja of late, she looks dis-interested. Rose will be a beast in the 2nd half. Jazz is quietly having a decent year and the coaches need to keep Scalia moving around in the half court, to many times she gets stuck in the corner.. They should mix her in at the point if they are going to continue to run this high ball screen offense.
On the defensive end, we look bad at times, I think that is more of a function of Kadi not being in the game and we dont have the foot speed off the bench to replace her at that spot. I'm ok if a kid gets beat back door if the coaches want them in the passing lane, but its the weak side help and the rotations that are lacking with Kadi out.
Covid is starting to wreck everybodys season, but if this team stays healthy, the coaches tweak some things and we get mentally stronger we can be .500
 

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