Gopher Women's Basketball Recruiting Updates

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BBJones said:
Looking ahead to next year, I'm hoping that Oehrlein can help replace some of the rebounding that Battle provided this year. That will be needed more than scoring.
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Yes!

Who will play where and when?

Elite combo guard Tori Oehrlein projects to the point guard spot. She's a versatile 1-2.

Elite recruit Natalie Kussow projects to a 2-3 wing/shooting guard, probably the 6th (wo)man until she is more experienced to start, replacing Mara Braun in a year, possibly taking GG's spot if NIL is too large of a gap to cover and steals GG away.

6' 0" Makena Christian had elite rebounding in high school, over 1000. She in theory could play the 5 in a positionless system but isn't tall enough. She's more the 2-3-4.

So Gophers will need a new 5.

Gophers could lose players to the transfer portal, so we may see recruits replacing others rather than a deep bench for a year and then start. In the new world of NIL, no way to know. Players should not pass up large gaps in offers. Close means look at total experience, stay home. Wide gap, bye bye.

Who.will.end up where and when?
 
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WinMinGophers! said:
Yes!

Who will play where and when?

Elite combo guard Tori Oehrlein projects to the point guard spot. She's a versatile 1-2.

Elite recruit Natalie Kussow projects to a 2-3 wing/shooting guard, probably the 6th (wo)man until she is more experienced to start, replacing Mara Braun in a year, possibly taking GG's spot if NIL is too large of a gap to cover and steals GG away.

6' 0" Makena Christian had elite rebounding in high school, over 1000. She in theory could play the 5 in a positionless system but isn't tall enough. She's more the 2-3-4.

So Gophers will need a new 5.

Gophers could lose players to the transfer portal, so we may see recruits replacing others rather than a deep bench for a year and then start. In the new world of NIL, no way to know. Players should not pass up large gaps in offers. Close means look at total experience, stay home. Wide gap, bye bye.

Who.will.end up where and when?
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If T O sniffs the point guard spot I am buying shots at Sally’s!
 

Hoopsmom said:
As a Summit League fan, I have watched this team and these players quite frequently over the past few years. I would say that Koenen could be a very good fit. Frost would be a maybe. It will be interesting to see how these two do in the Summit League and NCAA tourneys. As for the other two, I don’t think they have shown enough to say that they would be able to put up these kind of numbers against Big Ten competition.
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Did we ever recruit Koenen out of high school? Her game is fun to watch and I bet her stock is rising.
 


Hadley Thul from Alexandria has been put into the starting lineup at SDSU and having a very solid freshman season. I know Hadley was recruited by the gophers and she did multiple visits but was never offered
 


I really just wish Moore or Greenway would change their minds if the Gophers get to host 1st and 2nd round. The barn will be packed if it hosts!
 

Belzx009 said:
I really just wish Moore or Greenway would change their minds if the Gophers get to host 1st and 2nd round. The barn will be packed if it hosts!
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Greenway is going to Kentucky. I doubt Gophers have the resources to pull her away.

Kentucky has come from a lousy team to near the top.
  • The "Down" Years: Under previous coach, the Wildcats in 2022-23 won just 6 conference games combined across those two seasons.

Time have changed -- much more NIL and clout to bring in talent (emphasis on NIL)
  • The Kenny Brooks Era: The hiring of head coach Kenny Brooks (formerly of Virginia Tech) has been the catalyst. In his first two seasons, he has already achieved a 43-15 record at Kentucky.
Kentucky is now #16 in AP 25. Wow? How does a team get (buy) a turnaround like that.

I have no idea what the options looked like to Greenway but I'm guessing I'd tell her she'd be a foot to pass up what Kentucky is giving her.

It also gets her out of the pull to go to Iowa or Minnesota. Skip over to Kentucky where she is very appreiated.

Look who the Gophers have coming in. In the positionless, motion Gophers system, it's better that everyone is good at specifically what the coach wants for the system, not redesigned around certain unworkable player types -- rigid 1-5 types, a 3 that can't bring it up in transition, a pure 5, etc.

We live in the era of NIL and this isn't UCLA Hollywood.

Pretty good getting what the Gophers have with what they have to offer. Gophers face some kryptonite teams ahead and yet look Sweet 16 material.

They may need to make two bigger wins to get there -- like facing LSU or Louisville. And Maryland. Argh!
 

Lots of recruits in Iowa City yesterday for the big win over Michigan, on senior day, in front of another sellout.



 

Two relatively unknown Minnesota prospective recruits are Sophomores Quinn Kemper 5'10" Edina and Sarah Poepard 6'0" Hill Murrary.
 



Senden is a senior next year. I also hope we can find a replacement for her. A kid who dreams of being a gopher and is a great teammate. A Player willing to sit the bench for four years and absolutely bring then energy. You can tell in the post game victory locker room celebrations that Coach P is a fan of hers.
 

DietCokeFan said:
Did we ever recruit Koenen out of high school? Her game is fun to watch and I bet her stock is rising.
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Watching her on CBSSPORTS, after early foul trouble she is really turning it on in the second half. Can we have a fund raiser to get her to come to the Gophers😉
 

Katogopher said:
Watching her on CBSSPORTS, after early foul trouble she is really turning it on in the second half. Can we have a fund raiser to get her to come to the Gophers😉
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Hadley Thul also having a great game for SDSU. State a Minnesota is so loaded with HS talent
 

Katogopher said:
Watching her on CBSSPORTS, after early foul trouble she is really turning it on in the second half. Can we have a fund raiser to get her to come to the Gophers😉
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No offense to her or anyone else but I think we can start thinking bigger than Summit League transfers after the season we've had, especially if we make some noise in the tournament.
 



MaroonMagic said:
No offense to her or anyone else but I think we can start thinking bigger than Summit League transfers after the season we've had, especially if we make some noise in the tournament.
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Don’t you think the Summit League MVP is a step up in transfer. The Summit League is one of the few potential mid major multi bid leagues.

What type of recruit do you think we can get to.

Like Brylee Glenn was a 3 year starter at a P4 school
Annika Stewart, Taylor Woodson and Sophie Hart were both low end rotation players on P5 teams
Tonga and Rose were both role players in mid major programs.

Don’t you think a summit league MVP is a step up in transfer the gophers have gotten. Also what type of transfer do you think we are going to get off this season, I mean we did add a 3 year power 4 starter last portal. I don’t think the gophers are going to be adding all conference caliber P4 players in the portal yet unless a local connection. I do think they will be in position to add multi year P4 starters though.

I just disagree that the summit league MVP is now beneath us because they had a good season and I think on paper she might be the best add in the portal era for Dawn
 

Gophermangeek said:
Don’t you think the Summit League MVP is a step up in transfer. The Summit League is one of the few potential mid major multi bid leagues.

What type of recruit do you think we can get to.

Like Brylee Glenn was a 3 year starter at a P4 school
Annika Stewart, Taylor Woodson and Sophie Hart were both low end rotation players on P5 teams
Tonga and Rose were both role players in mid major programs.

Don’t you think a summit league MVP is a step up in transfer the gophers have gotten. Also what type of transfer do you think we are going to get off this season, I mean we did add a 3 year power 4 starter last portal. I don’t think the gophers are going to be adding all conference caliber P4 players in the portal yet unless a local connection. I do think they will be in position to add multi year P4 starters though.

I just disagree that the summit league MVP is now beneath us because they had a good season and I think on paper she might be the best add in the portal era for Dawn
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Nope I absolutely do not think a Summit League MVP is a step up. If we want to compete with the likes of Iowa and Maryland at the top of the Big Ten we've got to recruit like they do. Thinking about how impactful Chit-Chat Wright was for Iowa, how Maryland got Yarden Gerzon after Indiana imploded, or about how Oregon poached Heyer from us. A step up is a major contributor from a power four conference, and we definitely have the playing time for a big time point guard and center next year.

I'm thinking we can really try to target someone like Liv McGill from Florida or Ehis Etute from Oregon. If there's an exodus from Nebraska, maybe Britt Prince would be on the table for us? I would not enjoy watching her play in maroon and gold for cultural fit reasons, but someone on the level of Kiyomi McMiller as well. I don't know as much about the other power four teams outside the Big Ten, but we could at least think about some of these big names that may be looking elsewhere.

Time to think bigger and better and find one or two who are proven on the big stage, not just mid major or small time contributors.
 

Florida coach has been let go - will be interesting to see what happens with Liv. I thought someone mentioned previously she could be heading to UCLA if she heads to the portal?
 

MaroonMagic said:
Nope I absolutely do not think a Summit League MVP is a step up. If we want to compete with the likes of Iowa and Maryland at the top of the Big Ten we've got to recruit like they do. Thinking about how impactful Chit-Chat Wright was for Iowa, how Maryland got Yarden Gerzon after Indiana imploded, or about how Oregon poached Heyer from us. A step up is a major contributor from a power four conference, and we definitely have the playing time for a big time point guard and center next year.

I'm thinking we can really try to target someone like Liv McGill from Florida or Ehis Etute from Oregon. If there's an exodus from Nebraska, maybe Britt Prince would be on the table for us? I would not enjoy watching her play in maroon and gold for cultural fit reasons, but someone on the level of Kiyomi McMiller as well. I don't know as much about the other power four teams outside the Big Ten, but we could at least think about some of these big names that may be looking elsewhere.

Time to think bigger and better and find one or two who are proven on the big stage, not just mid major or small time contributors.
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She was just named mid major player of the year. There were multiple mid major players that made big impacts on their next high major school.

Think you are massively underrating her
 

MaroonMagic said:
Nope I absolutely do not think a Summit League MVP is a step up. If we want to compete with the likes of Iowa and Maryland at the top of the Big Ten we've got to recruit like they do. Thinking about how impactful Chit-Chat Wright was for Iowa, how Maryland got Yarden Gerzon after Indiana imploded, or about how Oregon poached Heyer from us. A step up is a major contributor from a power four conference, and we definitely have the playing time for a big time point guard and center next year.

I'm thinking we can really try to target someone like Liv McGill from Florida or Ehis Etute from Oregon. If there's an exodus from Nebraska, maybe Britt Prince would be on the table for us? I would not enjoy watching her play in maroon and gold for cultural fit reasons, but someone on the level of Kiyomi McMiller as well. I don't know as much about the other power four teams outside the Big Ten, but we could at least think about some of these big names that may be looking elsewhere.

Time to think bigger and better and find one or two who are proven on the big stage, not just mid major or small time contributors.
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There will also likely be many higher profile after them as well; you gotta get in, where you fit in🤷‍♂️
 

Avery Koenen was overlooked coming out of high school. She was a phenomenal athlete (state champion triple jumper despite recovering from injuries her senior year) and a better kid. She’s a small-town kid at heart and has little to no interest in playing for the Gophers. SDSU was her dream school, but landed at NDSU and found a home. The only chance she leaves NDSU is if her coach gets a bigger job and her teammates leave, in my opinion. I’d love it if she changed her mind, though!
 

I would start recruiting the Tanner girl last week. Being a 6’2” sophomore is one thing, but being that tall and that long at that age and the way she can move her feet is impressive. 2 years and 15# and she could be another McHale.
 


Gopheritnow said:
I would start recruiting the Tanner girl last week. Being a 6’2” sophomore is one thing, but being that tall and that long at that age and the way she can move her feet is impressive. 2 years and 15# and she could be another McHale.
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She’s being heavily recruited by both SDSU and NDSU. Agree she has some good post moves and I think she is only a freshman.
 

What about Erma Walker or Jaliyah Diggs? Also though Stewartville Audrey Shindelar had good athletic and size for guard that can shoot.
 

drewhaus7 said:
What about Erma Walker or Jaliyah Diggs? Also though Stewartville Audrey Shindelar had good athletic and size for guard that can shoot.
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Personally I think Walker is going to be a very good mid major player. I feel like for P4 though she is a little undersized for her skill set. I think she just overwhelms HS players with her strength and I can’t see her doing that at the P4 level. She has developed a solid mid range jumper though. But overall she will be a darn good mid major Player

I just think Diggs is too small for P4. She reminds me so much of Anisha Scott from Delasalle these last few years who now plays at Richmond. Competitor, gets to get spots, elite mid range but her 3 pointer and size holds her back as a P4 player in my opinion.

I think Bell the 8th grader will be heard from by the gophers, a fluid athlete for her age.

Watching State and watching a good amount of basketball this year. I expect the other Ramb
 

Erma Walker got offered by Marquette this morning her first high major offer I believe.
 

Gophermangeek said:
Don’t you think the Summit League MVP is a step up in transfer. The Summit League is one of the few potential mid major multi bid leagues.

What type of recruit do you think we can get to.

Like Brylee Glenn was a 3 year starter at a P4 school
Annika Stewart, Taylor Woodson and Sophie Hart were both low end rotation players on P5 teams
Tonga and Rose were both role players in mid major programs.

Don’t you think a summit league MVP is a step up in transfer the gophers have gotten. Also what type of transfer do you think we are going to get off this season, I mean we did add a 3 year power 4 starter last portal. I don’t think the gophers are going to be adding all conference caliber P4 players in the portal yet unless a local connection. I do think they will be in position to add multi year P4 starters though.

I just disagree that the summit league MVP is now beneath us because they had a good season and I think on paper she might be the best add in the portal era for Dawn
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Also, know that one of the strengths of this coaching staff is they are able to develop and coach up players. They have an excellent track record in this area.
 

WinMinGophers! said:
Yes!

Who will play where and when?

Elite combo guard Tori Oehrlein projects to the point guard spot. She's a versatile 1-2.

Elite recruit Natalie Kussow projects to a 2-3 wing/shooting guard, probably the 6th (wo)man until she is more experienced to start, replacing Mara Braun in a year, possibly taking GG's spot if NIL is too large of a gap to cover and steals GG away.

6' 0" Makena Christian had elite rebounding in high school, over 1000. She in theory could play the 5 in a positionless system but isn't tall enough. She's more the 2-3-4.

So Gophers will need a new 5.

Gophers could lose players to the transfer portal, so we may see recruits replacing others rather than a deep bench for a year and then start. In the new world of NIL, no way to know. Players should not pass up large gaps in offers. Close means look at total experience, stay home. Wide gap, bye bye.

Who.will.end up where and when?
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Hopefully Woodson can contribute. She has a lot of potential.
 




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