STrib: Whalen Trying to Guide Gophers Thru Troubled Waters

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Coach Lindsay Whalen trying to guide Gophers through troubled waters

Lindsay Whalen is in the midst of the toughest stretch of her coaching career — one that will influence not just the success of this season's team but perhaps define her tenure in future years.

www.startribune.com

Kent Youngblood:

On Friday, the Gophers women’s basketball team had a film session. It was productive, even if the subject matter — Thursday’s last-minute loss to Iowa — wasn’t easy to watch. Mistakes were noted, corrections were made, a game plan was discussed between coach Lindsay Whalen, her staff and the players.

Then the plan was — weather permitting — to board a plane Saturday to West Lafayette, Ind., where the Gophers will play Purdue on Sunday.

Of course, it was nowhere near this routine.

Whalen is in the midst of the toughest stretch of her coaching career — one that will influence not just the success of this season’s team but perhaps define her tenure in future years.

Reached Friday, Pitts’ father, Demetrus, said neither he nor Destiny wanted to comment further on her decision.

Even before Pitts’ departure, next season’s team figured to look far different from this one, with both Bellos and guard Jasmine Brunson being seniors. Masha Adashchyk — whose minutes have soared in the past two games — is also a senior.

Gadiva Hubbard will return. Freshmen Jasmine Powell — a high school teammate of Pitts’ in Michigan — and Sara Scalia have played well. Scalia, for example, has led or tied for the team lead in points the past two games. Thursday she had her first collegiate double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Gophers will have a number of new players who should start or get significant playing time nest season. That list includes: