Minnesota 2025-2026

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So far everyone except Battle and Braun has made a Instagram post about excited to come back next year. Hopefully they announce soon!

Johnson will help some program, sad to see her go but she was not going to fit Coach P style. Wish her the best!
 


Does the starting lineup remain the same? Maybe Braun comes off the bench... instant offense, less stress on her foot. Will she accept that role?
 

I don't think Halloway is going to leave due to limited playing time. I think she's at the U to get an education for free close to home, and basketball gave her the ticket to do that. Her family is extremely tight knit and I don't see her going anywhere else.

Heyer is also from a tight knit family and she has one sister at Bemidji State and another one still in high school in Chaska. She's not going anywhere.

I think McKinney just wants to play close to home. Braun's injuries probably are a barrier if she wanted to leave.

I think Battle has a risk of leaving. Her brother played for 3 different colleges and I don't think there are the close family ties that the other Minnesotans have.
 



MN GBB Fan said:
I don't think Halloway is going to leave due to limited playing time. I think she's at the U to get an education for free close to home, and basketball gave her the ticket to do that. Her family is extremely tight knit and I don't see her going anywhere else.

Heyer is also from a tight knit family and she has one sister at Bemidji State and another one still in high school in Chaska. She's not going anywhere.

I think McKinney just wants to play close to home. Braun's injuries probably are a barrier if she wanted to leave.

I think Battle has a risk of leaving. Her brother played for 3 different colleges and I don't think there are the close family ties that the other Minnesotans have.
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Based on Instagram posts (at least how I took it) everyone announced they’re excited to return to the barn next year except nothing from Battle and Braun yet.
 



DietCokeFan said:
Without knowing who we will grab in the portal, I’d bet McKinney will come off the bench.
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If Tori and her advisors surmise the same... maybe portal time... hope Coach P is having team meeting(s) to discuss roles and to determine those willing to accept those roles.
 



IMO, way too much speculation by some on next year's starting lineup. As we were all reminded this year, injuries are often a factor and we don't know yet how players will improve in the off-season. I wouldn't be surprised if Tori is able to improve her game quite a bit, as lots of players make huge strides from first year to second year. Either way, there will be plenty of minutes to be had by the top 7 or 8 players. And it's not like this roster has an embarrassment of riches. Let's see them make the NCAA tourney before we start thinking they have too much talent.
 

Battle has announced.

When I look at big ten teams TODAY (meaning it could change with the portal) Minnesota is a top 4 team. I think these girls see that. I am excited to see what Christian can bring to the table. Excited to see if they pick up anyone in the portal. Besides the possibility of Kneepkens any transfer they get will be a role filler. Someone who wants to be a Gopher. There simply is just not a lot of minutes available.

Only two days post season and I am so excited for next season. It hasn’t been instant success like we hoped, but the improvement is there!
 

Belzx009 said:
Battle has announced.

When I look at big ten teams TODAY (meaning it could change with the portal) Minnesota is a top 4 team. I think these girls see that. I am excited to see what Christian can bring to the table. Excited to see if they pick up anyone in the portal. Besides the possibility of Kneepkens any transfer they get will be a role filler. Someone who wants to be a Gopher. There simply is just not a lot of minutes available.

Only two days post season and I am so excited for next season. It hasn’t been instant success like we hoped, but the improvement is there!
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You scared me at first "Battle has announced" totally thought she went to portal lol - don't do that to me :)

If and I think it's a big if we can land Kneepkens it would elevate this program. Stay healthy, make shots, and this team could be a sweet 16 team. Need to continue to improve in the offseason.
 

Belzx009 said:
Battle has announced.

When I look at big ten teams TODAY (meaning it could change with the portal) Minnesota is a top 4 team. I think these girls see that. I am excited to see what Christian can bring to the table. Excited to see if they pick up anyone in the portal. Besides the possibility of Kneepkens any transfer they get will be a role filler. Someone who wants to be a Gopher. There simply is just not a lot of minutes available.

Only two days post season and I am so excited for next season. It hasn’t been instant success like we hoped, but the improvement is there!
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I hope that this Program will become a perennial top 6 finisher in conference play. And on occasion when the "...moon is in the Seventh House, And Jupiter aligns with Mars..." a top 1-3 team.
I believe this team has the potential for a Sweet Sixteen next year... and see above... perhaps an Elite Eight.
Go Gophers!!
 



DietCokeFan said:
You scared me at first "Battle has announced" totally thought she went to portal lol - don't do that to me :)

If and I think it's a big if we can land Kneepkens it would elevate this program. Stay healthy, make shots, and this team could be a sweet 16 team. Need to continue to improve in the offseason.
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Omg sorry haha! I was so excited she announced she was staying! I got ahead of myself. I worried about programs trying to pay her away.
 



Depth.jpg

With the 10 for 10 posts about returning. Here is the depth chart/roster for next season. With 3 spots, they are going to hit the portal hard. They have stated Center and Point Guard are the main things they are looking for in the portal. Right now till next monday at midnight is a recruiting shutdown so starting next tuesday Portal visits can start.
 

DietCokeFan said:
Braun is back!!
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Great news! Now let's drag out the players and coach we have thrown under the bus... wipe-off the thread marks, dust them off... and look forward to next season. I know the players will work hard during the summer... let's do our part and promote the Program.
Go Gophers!!
 

Belzx009 said:
When I look at big ten teams TODAY (meaning it could change with the portal) Minnesota is a top 4 team. I think these girls see that.
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Agreed! Illinois is the perfect blueprint. They won the WBIT last year and then were a strong contender throughout Big Ten play, finishing 6th this season. The Gophers have the potential to keep building something great!
 



24-25 season has just ended and I am already so excited for 25-26! I am curious to see who Coach P can bring in to complement this squad, if she can land Kneppekens that would be huge!
 

Depends on what they had to pay to retain the players who have announced they are returning. It’s no accident that Battle and Braun were the last to announce they were back. They likely are the players that command the most money and they had to reach a deal with DTA.

Hopeful there is enough left over to get one high-level player and two players that fit what we need for maximum competitiveness.

I don’t think Kneepkens will come, but if she did, and they added the right pieces elsewhere, they would probably start the season as a Top 15 team, and have a legitimate shot at an Elite 8 or better.
 

Maybe I’m being too optimistic but maybe Coyle and the administration should clear Williams arena schedule next March? This year hosting in the first 2 rounds was like a hot potato with no team getting a firm grasp for the 4 last spots. Maybe the Gophers can seize a spot?
 

MaroonMagic said:
Agreed! Illinois is the perfect blueprint. They won the WBIT last year and then were a strong contender throughout Big Ten play, finishing 6th this season.
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Hope the Gophers can do better, and not mimic the Illini. Illinois started 1-3 in the BIG. They were never contending (though they later won 8 in a row, including 6 games against the bottom 5). Illinois also lost its last 4 games against BIG teams, including 0-1 in the BTT.
 
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Impressive to see that this group is staying together. That says a lot about the coaching staff and the young women themselves. Not many programs can show this high retention rate. If this group can stay healthy, they should be an NCAA tourney team. If they can add a key player or two through the portal, maybe they could even win a couple of games in the NCAA tourney. Two players who I think have a chance to make substantial improvements in the off-season...Tori and Nia. It's a good time to be a Gopher women's basketball fan!
 

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