***OFFICIAL MINNESOTA VS UCLA SWEET 16 IN-GAME THREAD!!!***

[Stan]

WOW LAST WEEKEND WAS A BLAST!!!!

And now we move on to the Sweet 16 with a chance to slay the dragon. A chance to shock the world. A chance for history.

But it obviously won't be easy. UCLA does everything well. We need to keep their Big out of the lane, easier said than done. We need to limit turnovers from their trap, easier said than done. We need to hit open 3s, easier said than done.

But I believe!! Why not us? Why not now?

GET 'ER DONE COACH P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving]

Today we start the big push.

 

[GringaGopher]

Don’t be afraid to be legendary ! Go Gophers !!

 

[wbbaddict]

Tori didn't play in the regular season match up against them so this could be a totally different game.

 

[Arden]

Any recommendations for viewing spots in MPLS/St. Paul?

 

[Lynx]

Any recommendations for viewing spots in MPLS/St. Paul?

The most popular will be A Bar of Their Own. I’ve had trouble getting in before and will be trying Tom’s Watch Bar in downtown Minneapolis with some friends.

 

[gopherdudepart2]

Hoping Gophers can get off to hot shooting start.

 

[NoelarBear]

Gophers look loose but locked in during early warmups. They have nothing to lose. So far, a decent number of Gophers are walking into the arena.

 

[gophersfan]

The Gophers will have to play the game of there lives to win tonight. No turnovers and play a perfect game.

 

[samloupete]

Yes they will

 

[stocker08]

The athleticism disparity is going to be tough to overcome.

 

[GringaGopher]

The athleticism disparity is going to be tough to overcome.

For sure not mention excellent shooting 6’7” big.

 

[everybody knows my name]

Why are they trying to outrun and outgun UCLA? They're out of control. Time to slow things down.

 

[stocker08]

None of these guards should be passing up open threes to drive into the lane. There's nothing to be found there. Take the open shots.

 

[GameDay]

If they can't hit some jumpshots they don't have a chance to stay in this one no matter how hard they defend.

 

[Gophermangeek]

Defense is there. Got to find a way offensively

 

[GopherGrit]

Fully admit I haven't watched a second of Gopher WBB before this game, and I know nothing about women's game.

That said....

how is #31 a Big Ten player?? She looks like she can't even jump and doesn't try to. And she's on their amazonian future WNBA star center??

What am I missing?

 

[everybody knows my name]

Fully admit I haven't watched a second of Gopher WBB before this game, and I know nothing about women's game.

That said....

how is #31 a Big Ten player?? She looks like she can't even jump and doesn't try to. And she's on their amazonian future WNBA star center??

What am I missing?

Ive been watching 31 since i read your post. She's a big, a powerful backup with a low center of gravity. Her game isn't about running and leaping, but she is playing with grit and effort.

 

[GringaGopher]

Fully admit I haven't watched a second of Gopher WBB before this game, and I know nothing about women's game.

That said....

how is #31 a Big Ten player?? She looks like she can't even jump and doesn't try to. And she's on their amazonian future WNBA star center??

What am I missing?

Most woman’s teams r not deep enough to guard Betts. Tonga provides decent back up minutes for Hart. Coach will continue to recruit talented bigs.

 

[GopherGrit]

Ive been watching 31 since i read your post. She's a big, a powerful backup with a low center of gravity. Her game isn't about running and leaping, but she is playing with grit and effort.

She has a zero inch vertical. She literally does not leave her feet.

There must just be something different about the women's game that I don't understand.

Gopher coach obviously knows what she's doing. Will trust her.


Gophers hanging in there!

 

[everybody knows my name]

She has a zero inch vertical. She literally does not leave her feet.

There must just be something different about the women's game that I don't understand.

Gopher coach obviously knows what she's doing. Will trust her.


Gophers hanging in there!

If you expect women to look and play like men, you're going to be disappointed. Tonga has the body she has, and she's contributing by being strong, tough, and tenacious.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Encouraging first half, I think we generally looked good. But if we want to pull this out, we really need to not turn it over.

 

[stocker08]

Good second quarter. Going to have to continue to shoot well to have a chance.

 

[Katogopher]

Proud of this team’s grit and fight. Cut down on the TO’s and it’s a totally different game. Go Gophers!

 

[Gophermangeek]

The defense is there. Keep letting the 3 fly and don’t allow open court turnovers

 

[GringaGopher]

Good second quarter. Going to have to continue to shoot well to have a chance.

The middies r open and we need to continue to be hot from 3.

 

[Gopheroll]

Tori only 14 min in 1st half. Only 1 foul. On a pitch count?

 

[GringaGopher]

Tori only 14 min in 1st half. Only 1 foul. On a pitch count?

It is curious but it seems that with playing tough D on this athletic UCLA team Coach is trying 2 keep them fresh. It was encouraging that Glenn made a couple of shots.

 

[forever a gopher]

Too many turn overs. But they’re playing them really well. Good first half.

 

[LakeWoebegone]

Fully admit I haven't watched a second of Gopher WBB before this game, and I know nothing about women's game.

That said....

how is #31 a Big Ten player?? She looks like she can't even jump and doesn't try to. And she's on their amazonian future WNBA star center??

What am I missing?

She's sure looked like one to me all year. She's been clutch in so many games, including that assist on that 3 to McKinney.