Scoggins: Braun's Injury Leaves a Void

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Gophers desperately need to step up to fill void left in Mara Braun’s absence

The drop-off in playmaking in Mara Braun’s absence is impossible to ignore. Coach Dawn Plitzuweit needs to elevate the overall talent on the roster so the season doesn’t crumble if Braun can’t return.

www.startribune.com

Mara Braun stood on the Williams Arena court 90 minutes before tipoff Tuesday night, firing up shot after shot, swish after swish. She barely missed.

If you only watched her shooting form, you would have guessed that the Wisconsin Badgers were in for a long night defending the Gophers dynamic sophomore. If you happened to notice the large protective boot on Braun's right foot, reality provided a different perspective.

Braun might not play again this season after suffering an injury in late January that required surgery, leaving a void the size of Texas in the Gophers lineup.

The border battle provided another clear reminder of Braun's value and the mission ahead for first-year Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit in trying to resurrect a program that has the advantage of residing in a state blessed with blue-chip prep talent but struggles to capitalize on that advantage.

The Braun-less Gophers were overpowered by a Wisconsin team that came to town with a .500 record (losing record in Big Ten games) and left with a 67-56 victory after leading from start to finish.

 

[MaxyJR1]

It's always tough when the media jumps in late in the season and gives opinion about others having to step up.

They were without Braun and Hart last night.

They played 2 sophomores, 2 freshmen and a Grad transfer. The bench was a red-shirt freshmen and a junior. They played 7 players and another freshmen got in for a minute. Couple this with the coaching change and it's hard to expect more based on what one got to see with Braun and Hart in the line-up. It's a huge off-season of roster development and possibly ruffling some feathers this off-season by Coach P.

Wisconsin went 3 sophomores, 2 seniors and brought a freshmen and senior off the bench. No shock the 6'4" Forward when for 30 with Hart out.

He's also asking them to fill the void with @Nebraska, Iowa, @Penn State coming up. Good luck.

 

[DietCokeFan]

Looks like Rainey Wilson (52 Recruit from WI) who was interested in MN is heading to lovely Maryland. Tell me again these terrible losses don't keep recruits away. As someone else mentioned this needs to be a HUGE off season with roster development. Too much talent for it to be washed away. Can't play the young card next year.