StarTrib & AP: Starting Over Gophers Welcome Freshman Class

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Whalen, starting-over Gophers welcome heralded frosh class

With Minnesota's players gathered in front of her earlier this month, coach Lindsay Whalen conducted a grade-school-style experiment in building camaraderie.

www.startribune.com

Dave Campbell:

Whalen and her staff have had the Gophers scrimmage in practice more than usual this month, trying to immerse the newbies in as many game situations as possible. Off the court, there have been plenty of team-building activities and casual get-togethers in the time since the newcomers arrived on campus.

The Gophers have also ramped up their time — "more than ever before," Whalen said — with the athletic department's sports psychologist to help build chemistry and trust. The coaches take part in half of the sessions. The others are players-only.

"We're problem solving. We're discussing. We're sharing," Whalen said. "We kind of just try to talk to one another as people."