McKenna Johnson's Playing Time

[ecoperson]

Nearly every game thread this season includes numerous comments regarding Johnson's playing time. I feel that this is a discussion worth having but it is hard to continue the discussion in drips and drabs across different threads every few days. Here is one thread devoted solely to Johnson and what she must do to earn more playing time.

I think all can agree that both her on-the-ball and team defense is a work in progress so I don't think this needs rehashing. To me, her playing time depends almost entirely on whether her OFFENSIVE contributions are enough to out weigh the defensive risks.

I have read comments throughout the season complaining that Battle and Rose are not good at setting up their teammates. Unfortunately, Johnson never gives up the ball unless she is pressed. She simply does not give up the ball so her teammates are left standing around and watching. This is not a recipe for success as it leads to her teammates not passing to her in the first place.

I looked at the stats for the season again and it still appears that Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also continues to be the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists because she plays 1 on 5 and doesn't give up the ball at the appropriate time.

I think the discussion about Johnson's playing time is similar to fans calling for the back-up quarterback in football. People are frustrated with the game results but statistics show that back-ups rarely provide the change that people are seeking.

Remember, Johnson is essentially still a frosh in age. She's primarily come in during garbage time and thrown up some shots against the other team's 2nd and 3rd stringers. We don't usually expect first year players to come in and get playing time unless they are highly recruited.

While Johnson's shot and aggressiveness has piqued my interest, she hasn't shown the ability to be trusted during key points of a tough conference game. She currently plays too sped up but I expect that she will continue to grow, learn, and earn the trust of her coaches and teammates. I hope that things click over the next year or so as the game slows down for her.

 

[BigTenGuy]

Nearly every game thread this season includes numerous comments regarding Johnson's playing time. I feel that this is a discussion worth having but it is hard to continue the discussion in drips and drabs across different threads every few days. Here is one thread devoted solely to Johnson and what she must do to earn more playing time.

I think all can agree that both her on-the-ball and team defense is a work in progress so I don't think this needs rehashing. To me, her playing time depends almost entirely on whether her OFFENSIVE contributions are enough to out weigh the defensive risks.

I have read comments throughout the season complaining that Battle and Rose are not good at setting up their teammates. Unfortunately, Johnson never gives up the ball unless she is pressed. She simply does not give up the ball so her teammates are left standing around and watching. This is not a recipe for success as it leads to her teammates not passing to her in the first place.

I looked at the stats for the season again and it still appears that Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also continues to be the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists because she plays 1 on 5 and doesn't give up the ball at the appropriate time.

I think the discussion about Johnson's playing time is similar to fans calling for the back-up quarterback in football. People are frustrated with the game results but statistics show that back-ups rarely provide the change that people are seeking.

Remember, Johnson is essentially still a frosh in age. She's primarily come in during garbage time and thrown up some shots against the other team's 2nd and 3rd stringers. We don't usually expect first year players to come in and get playing time unless they are highly recruited.

While Johnson's shot and aggressiveness has piqued my interest, she hasn't shown the ability to be trusted during key points of a tough conference game. She currently plays too sped up but I expect that she will continue to grow, learn, and earn the trust of her coaches and teammates. I hope that things click over the next year or so as the game slows down for her.

I’m still in the camp that would like more Johnson because this team needs better shooting. But you make a good case that I’m wrong.

 

[Whytetale]

Last night I initially liked seeing her come in early in the game when we were struggling. It felt like coach was trying to light a spark in our offense and rest a starter. But, it didn't work out and she was pulled. Maybe had she been left in a little longer perhaps she settles down.

 

[Willwin40]

Last night I initially liked seeing her come in early in the game when we were struggling. It felt like coach was trying to light a spark in our offense and rest a starter. But, it didn't work out and she was pulled. Maybe had she been left in a little longer perhaps she settles down.

Agreed!

 

[Duker]

Last night I initially liked seeing her come in early in the game when we were struggling. It felt like coach was trying to light a spark in our offense and rest a starter. But, it didn't work out and she was pulled. Maybe had she been left in a little longer perhaps she settles down.

I was surprised to see her come in last night but we were certainly in need of some offensive spark. Unfortunately, she was running around like a chicken with its head cut off on defense. She looked like she didn’t know who she was supposed to be guarding, other players were trying to direct her but it didn’t seem to help.

 

[drewhaus7]

Nearly every game thread this season includes numerous comments regarding Johnson's playing time. I feel that this is a discussion worth having but it is hard to continue the discussion in drips and drabs across different threads every few days. Here is one thread devoted solely to Johnson and what she must do to earn more playing time.

I think all can agree that both her on-the-ball and team defense is a work in progress so I don't think this needs rehashing. To me, her playing time depends almost entirely on whether her OFFENSIVE contributions are enough to out weigh the defensive risks.

I have read comments throughout the season complaining that Battle and Rose are not good at setting up their teammates. Unfortunately, Johnson never gives up the ball unless she is pressed. She simply does not give up the ball so her teammates are left standing around and watching. This is not a recipe for success as it leads to her teammates not passing to her in the first place.

I looked at the stats for the season again and it still appears that Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also continues to be the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists because she plays 1 on 5 and doesn't give up the ball at the appropriate time.

I think the discussion about Johnson's playing time is similar to fans calling for the back-up quarterback in football. People are frustrated with the game results but statistics show that back-ups rarely provide the change that people are seeking.

Remember, Johnson is essentially still a frosh in age. She's primarily come in during garbage time and thrown up some shots against the other team's 2nd and 3rd stringers. We don't usually expect first year players to come in and get playing time unless they are highly recruited.

While Johnson's shot and aggressiveness has piqued my interest, she hasn't shown the ability to be trusted during key points of a tough conference game. She currently plays too sped up but I expect that she will continue to grow, learn, and earn the trust of her coaches and teammates. I hope that things click over the next year or so as the game slows down for her.

If you looked at the stats, did you check out Points Per Minute Played? How about Rebound Per Minute Played? Johnson would be second in the team in Points Per Min(behind Stewart) and be leading all guards in Rebound Per Minute Played and has same ratio as Heyer in rebounding. Johnson also has just slightly less assist per minute ratio as GG. Johnson also has highest guards Steals/Min. She is also 2nd in Free throws attempted Per Minute played behind Woodson. Right now the Gophers need to look to find someone to get the ball in the hoop as the current recipe is struggling. Maybe need to find ways to assist to her shooting??

The also concern is all the minutes played period is wearing down Battle, GG, Heyer Look at GG shooting percentage 3PT now at 31% .

Also is isn't about Johnson getting huge minutes, it is minutes to spell GG,Heyer, Battle when they maybe cold shooting or simply keep them fresh so the D at the end of the game is all hands on deck instead of giving up 10 buckets on 12 trips or I think it was something like that for Iowa at the end.

It isn't just Johnson too, Czinano has veteran ability to help at some minutes. Watching Senden shoot in shoot around before the game and she had the 3 PT shot going. Maybe periods of time see her instead of Rose when some offense maybe needed? She had some experience last year and did alright. Holloway is 1st in Reb/Min, Blk/min Steal/min

Rah! Cheering for a much needed W vs Indiana. They have the talent to make it to the NCAA tournament.

 

[ecoperson]

If you looked at the stats, did you check out Points Per Minute Played? How about Rebound Per Minute Played? Johnson would be second in the team in Points Per Min(behind Stewart) and be leading all guards in Rebound Per Minute Played and has same ratio as Heyer in rebounding. Johnson also has just slightly less assist per minute ratio as GG. Johnson also has highest guards Steals/Min. She is also 2nd in Free throws attempted Per Minute played behind Woodson. Right now the Gophers need to look to find someone to get the ball in the hoop as the current recipe is struggling. Maybe need to find ways to assist to her shooting??

The also concern is all the minutes played period is wearing down Battle, GG, Heyer Look at GG shooting percentage 3PT now at 31% .

Also is isn't about Johnson getting huge minutes, it is minutes to spell GG,Heyer, Battle when they maybe cold shooting or simply keep them fresh so the D at the end of the game is all hands on deck instead of giving up 10 buckets on 12 trips or I think it was something like that for Iowa at the end.

It isn't just Johnson too, Czinano has veteran ability to help at some minutes. Watching Senden shoot in shoot around before the game and she had the 3 PT shot going. Maybe periods of time see her instead of Rose when some offense maybe needed? She had some experience last year and did alright. Holloway is 1st in Reb/Min, Blk/min Steal/min

Rah! Cheering for a much needed W vs Indiana. They have the talent to make it to the NCAA tournament.

Let me be clear that I truly WANT Johnson to succeed as I am equally frustrated at the empty possessions, missed lay-ups, and extended minutes by the starters.

Johnson is a wonderful rebounder for her size due to her quickness and instinct for the ball. Unfortunately, she scores at that high point per minute because she immediately takes said rebound and tries to drive 1 x 3 to the basket- usually in garbage time against the opponent's 2nd and 3rd stringers.

Johnson's aggressiveness is great on its face but the execution has been poor as it has led to a higher rate of empty possessions than the offense that is currently frustrating to many of all.

Grocholski's primary role in our offense is as a spot up shooter so I can accept that she is not going to generate a high number of assists.

I am very concerned with the high number of minutes played by the starters. I am a staunch advocate for building up player's skills by giving minutes to developing players. I am most dismayed that Johnson, Czinano, and others didn't log larger blocks of time during some of the blowouts in the non-conference part of the season.

Tired bodies lead to injuries and missed assignments. We need to save the wear and tear on our starters. Most bench players need a few minutes of run to get into the flow of the game so I would like to see the coaching staff put these players in the best position to cover up their warts and still find success.

Coach Plitzuweit and staff seem to have set very rigid expectations for players to earn playing time. I hope that these expectations have been clearly articulated so that the players fully understand this and buy in. Perhaps this explains why we haven't seen different combinations of players at times during the season?

Go Gophers!

 

[drewhaus7]

Let me be clear that I truly WANT Johnson to succeed as I am equally frustrated at the empty possessions, missed lay-ups, and extended minutes by the starters.

Johnson is a wonderful rebounder for her size due to her quickness and instinct for the ball. Unfortunately, she scores at that high point per minute because she immediately takes said rebound and tries to drive 1 x 3 to the basket- usually in garbage time against the opponent's 2nd and 3rd stringers.

Johnson's aggressiveness is great on its face but the execution has been poor as it has led to a higher rate of empty possessions than the offense that is currently frustrating to many of all.

Grocholski's primary role in our offense is as a spot up shooter so I can accept that she is not going to generate a high number of assists.

I am very concerned with the high number of minutes played by the starters. I am a staunch advocate for building up player's skills by giving minutes to developing players. I am most dismayed that Johnson, Czinano, and others didn't log larger blocks of time during some of the blowouts in the non-conference part of the season.

Tired bodies lead to injuries and missed assignments. We need to save the wear and tear on our starters. Most bench players need a few minutes of run to get into the flow of the game so I would like to see the coaching staff put these players in the best position to cover up their warts and still find success.

Coach Plitzuweit and staff seem to have set very rigid expectations for players to earn playing time. I hope that these expectations have been clearly articulated so that the players fully understand this and buy in. Perhaps this explains why we haven't seen different combinations of players at times during the season?

Go Gophers!

The concern fans have is we are falling into the same recipe as last year big ten season and it is producing the same results so far. We all want this team who many stayed home to succeed.

We had a weak non conference schedule and so the margin of victory (i hear anyhow) matters in the rankings, so guessing besides conditioning that was another reason why starters played the amount of minutes.

Johnson, Czinano, Holloway were all used in the helping of the gophers almost comeback vs top Maryland team on the road. I for one was then hopefull this would be the trend of having a deep team to stay fresh, but Coach has seemed to go away from that. Pretty sure there are plenty of empty possessions with all 5 starters on the floor.

Gophers were leading by 18 going into 4th quarter vs Rutgers yet Battle and GG played 38 minutes that game too. Johnson by the way had 15 Pts in 21 minutes vs Rutgers. Also 7 in 13 Min vs Maryland so wasn't just against the weak non conference 2nd teamers.

 

[BBJones]

If you looked at the stats, did you check out Points Per Minute Played? How about Rebound Per Minute Played? Johnson would be second in the team in Points Per Min(behind Stewart) and be leading all guards in Rebound Per Minute Played and has same ratio as Heyer in rebounding. Johnson also has just slightly less assist per minute ratio as GG. Johnson also has highest guards Steals/Min. She is also 2nd in Free throws attempted Per Minute played behind Woodson. Right now the Gophers need to look to find someone to get the ball in the hoop as the current recipe is struggling. Maybe need to find ways to assist to her shooting??

The also concern is all the minutes played period is wearing down Battle, GG, Heyer Look at GG shooting percentage 3PT now at 31% .

Also is isn't about Johnson getting huge minutes, it is minutes to spell GG,Heyer, Battle when they maybe cold shooting or simply keep them fresh so the D at the end of the game is all hands on deck instead of giving up 10 buckets on 12 trips or I think it was something like that for Iowa at the end.

It isn't just Johnson too, Czinano has veteran ability to help at some minutes. Watching Senden shoot in shoot around before the game and she had the 3 PT shot going. Maybe periods of time see her instead of Rose when some offense maybe needed? She had some experience last year and did alright. Holloway is 1st in Reb/Min, Blk/min Steal/min

Rah! Cheering for a much needed W vs Indiana. They have the talent to make it to the NCAA tournament.

I'm not sure comparing Johnson's stats to any of the starters is fair considering the wide disparity in minutes. I would like to see more minutes for the bench players too, but using such a small sample size as justification for more playing time can be misleading.

 

[samloupete]

Let's be honest. The team is struggling to score. 21 points in the first half against Iowa. 53 total points against UCLA. What is most obvious is that teams are saging whoever is guarding Rose when she is in the game. UCLA did it and gummed up the middle making it difficult to get inside offensively. That trend will continue in the rest of the games. A three point shooter like Johnson might just extend the defense thereby freeing up the middle. We all know that Johnson is a work in progress defensively and that the game needs to slow down for her but that is not going to happen sitting on the bench.

 

[pharmacygopher]

I’m still in the camp that would like more Johnson because this team needs better shooting. But you make a good case that I’m wrong.

This is a safe place. Let out all your feelings.

 

[drewhaus7]

More of the picture that I could see while at the game, was GG was having all sorts of difficulty trying to drive or get open for her shot. She was getting trapped and was getting frustrated. Think her first pts didn't come until later in the game. It was clear trying to drive the ball, but was having difficulty. If Johnson/others was ready to come into for GG in that spot and is able with a little more speed drive to the basket to score and/or get fouled or drive a create a jumper shot like Iowa could do. Would that open the offense up a little more us? Would it take pressure of GG and other starters? There is going to be games where matchups don't favor or a player has an off night and the team needs to be prepared. When JuJu was struggling for offense from Battle, others were able to score.

 

[Chico Gopher]

Nearly every game thread this season includes numerous comments regarding Johnson's playing time. I feel that this is a discussion worth having but it is hard to continue the discussion in drips and drabs across different threads every few days. Here is one thread devoted solely to Johnson and what she must do to earn more playing time.

I think all can agree that both her on-the-ball and team defense is a work in progress so I don't think this needs rehashing. To me, her playing time depends almost entirely on whether her OFFENSIVE contributions are enough to out weigh the defensive risks.

I have read comments throughout the season complaining that Battle and Rose are not good at setting up their teammates. Unfortunately, Johnson never gives up the ball unless she is pressed. She simply does not give up the ball so her teammates are left standing around and watching. This is not a recipe for success as it leads to her teammates not passing to her in the first place.

I looked at the stats for the season again and it still appears that Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also continues to be the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists because she plays 1 on 5 and doesn't give up the ball at the appropriate time.

I think the discussion about Johnson's playing time is similar to fans calling for the back-up quarterback in football. People are frustrated with the game results but statistics show that back-ups rarely provide the change that people are seeking.

Remember, Johnson is essentially still a frosh in age. She's primarily come in during garbage time and thrown up some shots against the other team's 2nd and 3rd stringers. We don't usually expect first year players to come in and get playing time unless they are highly recruited.

While Johnson's shot and aggressiveness has piqued my interest, she hasn't shown the ability to be trusted during key points of a tough conference game. She currently plays too sped up but I expect that she will continue to grow, learn, and earn the trust of her coaches and teammates. I hope that things click over the next year or so as the game slows down for her.

I'm not sure how people don't get this. The back-up QB line was pretty spot on. There is a stated philosophy for the team by a very successful and well-respected coach, who is still in the pretty early stages of gathering all the ingredients for "cooking up a gourmet meal". Oh, by the way, your main course and one of

I've got to believe that anybody who has talked to, or at least spent time around, high level coaches understands what they mean when they say, "you want to see the floor, you have to show me that I can trust you to do the things I've spelled out in practice that I need to see consistently.".

Not sure how anybody can mis-interpret that or believe that coaches are just going to nilly-willy change what's worked for them their entire career to appease a small group of fans who are disappointed that one of their favorites isn't playing and should be except from the same expectations of everybody else.

 

[ndnae]

If you watch Johnson against teams before garbage time she runs around on offence and defence like she does not know what is going on. On offence if she does get the ball she can not or will not take a shot and dribbles until she has to pass instead of making a smart pass.

 

[drewhaus7]

If you watch Johnson against teams before garbage time she runs around on offence and defence like she does not know what is going on. On offence if she does get the ball she can not or will not take a shot and dribbles until she has to pass instead of making a smart pass.

What about the 3 games in the big 10? 4 pts in 5 min vs Penn State, then 15 Pts in 21 minutes vs Rutgers and then clearly helped comeback with 7 pts in 13 minutes vs Maryland? Looked clearly developing and able to be used to provide offense and it was encouraging because starters admitted last year it gets tough to log all the minutes each game and by end of year they are fighting it.

Other games since hasn't had really more than 1 minute on a floor at a time which for anyone is tough to get anything going. Rose is 1 for 15 at the 3PT line? GG, person lean on for scoring and shooting was clearly struggling and didn't get her first two pts I believe until the 4th quarter vs Iowa? And plenty of time she got beat or missed a 3 pt assignment same as accusing Johnson of doing. We lost the game because Iowa got two 3's on kick outs at the end of the game.

The point is not questing the starters or anything, it is just frustrating for fans to see the same struggles over and over and over and getting tough losses when clearly this team needs to get a couple to make the NCAA tourney which all of Gopher fans and players want. There is nothing more than success that we want for all these players working hard, staying home, going through coach change and clearly before tough losses to Michigan and Iowa at home, thought NCAA was no question. Now we are running out of opportunities and if we see a few more tough losses it will be a disappointing NIT bound. This next game vs Indiana at home now is pretty much now a must win.

 

[GringaGopher]

Agree that Johnson is talented but it appears to be mostly on the offensive end. When our team is struggling to consistently score I found myself wanting coach to play anyone with scoring skills. It’s frustrating to trust a process….

 

[Gopherjackrabbits]

What about the 3 games in the big 10? 4 pts in 5 min vs Penn State, then 15 Pts in 21 minutes vs Rutgers and then clearly helped comeback with 7 pts in 13 minutes vs Maryland? Looked clearly developing and able to be used to provide offense and it was encouraging because starters admitted last year it gets tough to log all the minutes each game and by end of year they are fighting it.

Other games since hasn't had really more than 1 minute on a floor at a time which for anyone is tough to get anything going. Rose is 1 for 15 at the 3PT line? GG, person lean on for scoring and shooting was clearly struggling and didn't get her first two pts I believe until the 4th quarter vs Iowa? And plenty of time she got beat or missed a 3 pt assignment same as accusing Johnson of doing. We lost the game because Iowa got two 3's on kick outs at the end of the game.

The point is not questing the starters or anything, it is just frustrating for fans to see the same struggles over and over and over and getting tough losses when clearly this team needs to get a couple to make the NCAA tourney which all of Gopher fans and players want. There is nothing more than success that we want for all these players working hard, staying home, going through coach change and clearly before tough losses to Michigan and Iowa at home, thought NCAA was no question. Now we are running out of opportunities and if we see a few more tough losses it will be a disappointing NIT bound. This next game vs Indiana at home now is pretty much now a must win.

I am not trying to pick a fight here! It gets tiring reading every game post and you respond put in Johnson, put in Johnson! Ecoperson stated it eloquently why she needed to play like her coach wants her to play if she wants more playing time. I mutter to myself that you must be related to Johnson!

This is a team that is being built the way this coach has successfully built teams at every level. And under her you had better learn to play defense and team basketball or you will sit on the bench or enter the portal.

 

[Hoopsmom]

I am not trying to pick a fight here! It gets tiring reading every game post and you respond put in Johnson, put in Johnson! Ecoperson stated it eloquently why she needed to play like her coach wants her to play if she wants more playing time. I mutter to myself that you must be related to Johnson!

This is a team that is being built the way this coach has successfully built teams at every level. And under her you had better learn to play defense and team basketball or you will sit on the bench or enter the portal.

I totally agree with you. I see that you are a Jackrabbits fan, so I know that you are more than familiar with Coach P. As a Coyotes fan and parent of a former player under Coach P, I can second that under her system, if you want to see the floor, you need to consistently put in the effort at practice. Then, and only then, will you get minutes in the game, and then you need to use those minutes to show that you can be a team player.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I trust the coaches. I also believe in playing 8-9 players every game. However with timeouts and TV timeouts they get plenty of rest.

 

[Gophers112233]

just going to leave this here.. Kenna is -16 in the last 3 games. not many minutes.. but still.

 

[Gopherjackrabbits]

Yes I am a rabbits fan and graduate. Coach P. Was the only coach to get in the way of the STate women’s basketball program. Her teams played defense, played gritty type of basketball. Jackrabbit fans were glad to see her move on.

Thank you for settling the whole argument with first person perspective! You don’t play the way the coach expects you do not get playing time. As a gophers fan I am glad to see coach P here and building a great program.