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Her freshman year at Arizona was 22-23, so according to NCAA rules that you can play 4 years withing a 5 year timeframe, the 26-27 season would be her last eligible year. Though, I know there is speculation the rule could change to playing 5 years in a 5 year timeframe but its not likely to change in time to make a difference for this coming season. The rationale behind that, btw, is that young athletes playing in the mid-majors could develop those first few years and play the last few years at the major programs to elevate their draft status and NIL value and so on.
 
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Belzx009 said:
When did Nnaji graduate HS? Would she even have eligibility?
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Have you not watched college sports lately? 🤣 you can be 30, have played pro ball, been in college 10 years they don't care. Just say you're suing the ncaa or make them $$ and you're in
 



Wonder if Minnesota can find enough funds for Audi Crooks.
 



We are a good program. I'm wondering if she wants to finish her college career with an elite program and a title? Would love to have her, but just don't see it happening.
 

LakeWoebegone said:
Again, why so much emphasis on starting. MiLaysia Fulwiley was arguably one of thee best players for LSU this year and came off the bench most of the year as she got used to Kim Mulkey's system. And some of South Carolina's best players start the game on the bench.
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I suppose you could ask Heyer.
 




GopherJack said:
We are a good program. I'm wondering if she wants to finish her college career with an elite program and a title? Would love to have her, but just don't see it happening.
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I can't see an elite program changing their entire system to accommodate her for a one year run. She is not a plug-in-and-play type player. And, as great a scorer as she is, she can't run the court and plays half-ass defense most of the time. I think her options are going to be more limited than people think. Gopher won't be able to do big NIL but might be able to offer her a spot in good league.
 


BBJones said:
I suppose you could ask Heyer.
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Or you could ask the players at South Carolina or the like that come off the bench and help win titles. It's all personal and up to the players on what they want to pursue.
 

ISUnorth said:
I can't see an elite program changing their entire system to accommodate her for a one year run. She is not a plug-in-and-play type player. And, as great a scorer as she is, she can't run the court and plays half-ass defense most of the time. I think her options are going to be more limited than people think. Gopher won't be able to do big NIL but might be able to offer her a spot in good league.
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Agree. The Gopher pace of play is not real fast.. if I remember the Gophers were one of the top teams in post touches and points in the paint..
 



MaroonMagic said:
I think she means play fast in transition, which I have seen year over year improvement in since her first year coaching. If you compare her first year to this year (or even last year), at least two of our guards now try to sprint ahead in transition, and we are very willing to take riskier passes to get them the ball if they can score quickly.

But once we're out of transition, the style is clearly to run the shot clock down and pass methodically so as to limit turnovers and keep the other team's number of possessions (and score) lower. The longer you have the ball, the more you are able to guarantee the other team does not have the ball.
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I agree with your post.
they Coach P in pre-game interviews has mention the "points/possession" the other team has and the necessity to limit their opportunities to score.
She emphasizes a defensive goal of achieving seven straight stops to swing momentum and close out games.
 

Crooks could really bring Gophers to an elite 8 next year. I am sure it won't happen; but, I at least hope Coach P makes a call.
 

ISUnorth said:
I can't see an elite program changing their entire system to accommodate her for a one year run. She is not a plug-in-and-play type player. And, as great a scorer as she is, she can't run the court and plays half-ass defense most of the time. I think her options are going to be more limited than people think. Gopher won't be able to do big NIL but might be able to offer her a spot in good league.
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Would she sacrifice her personal stats to be part of a winner?
 

Not trying to build a case for either Merkle or Crooks, but...
Penn State was a very poor defensive team and that reflects on Merkle. They also played a very up tempo offensive game which wouldn't work well with her transition game... given that her transition would be slow, can't argue with her shooting percentage.
I have watched parts of several Iowa State's games. To me, Crooks appeared to be "half in/half out", certainly wasn't in the Precious Presence... appeared disinterested.

$$$ aside, my vote would go for Merkle. The style of play Coach P seemed to prefer this year, getting the ball up court quickly looking for quick opportunities... but if no opportunities, settling into a more patient half-court game... would suit Merkle well and she is a back-to-the-basket post. She is also taller than Crooks.

I think big time sponsor would have to step-up for either.

Support our team with your $$$.
 


Lynx said:
Bring in both Merkle and Crooks. Each can play 20 minutes. 3M can sponsor Merkle, and Target can fund Crooks. Problem solved. 😂🤣
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And, NIL money is not where either of these corporations spends their money. And that is not going to change anytime soon.
 

ISUnorth said:
I can't see an elite program changing their entire system to accommodate her for a one year run. She is not a plug-in-and-play type player. And, as great a scorer as she is, she can't run the court and plays half-ass defense most of the time. I think her options are going to be more limited than people think. Gopher won't be able to do big NIL but might be able to offer her a spot in good league.
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I agree with this. She puts up great raw offensive numbers, but lack of defense and the fact she's a black hole on offense have to make it tough to play with her. Hey you 4 play defense, then just stand there on offense while I back someone down. Be pretty tough to play with a full season. Especially is she wants to get paid the big $$.

If my options were Crooks or the best defensive player in the country who scored 4 points a game, give me player #2.
 

leib0039 said:
I agree with this. She puts up great raw offensive numbers, but lack of defense and the fact she's a black hole on offense have to make it tough to play with her. Hey you 4 play defense, then just stand there on offense while I back someone down. Be pretty tough to play with a full season. Especially is she wants to get paid the big $$.

If my options were Crooks or the best defensive player in the country who scored 4 points a game, give me player #2.
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Hit the nail on the head here. I don't think she's a good fit here or at most top programs. It will need to be a place that is willing to totally adjust the style of play to accommodate her. An established program can't afford to alienate it's current players for that or you risk burning down the roster/recruiting. I see her more as going to a team from the bottom of a power conference with a bit of cash to spend to rise up for one season. She's a force in the paint and would definitely elevate some teams but I don't see a fit here. Any $$ Dawn has to spend would be better spent elsewhere.
 

I agree. A team like South Carolina is all about balance. Joyce Edwards is the lead scorer with 19+ points a game. Then the other 4 top scorers are all in the low teens. The bench contributes almost 27 points a game. Dawn Staley has said before the reason they win championships is because no one is thee star and on any given night someone can step up and score 20+ points if needed.
 

Crooks touch around the rim and power down low would be a huge benefit. She doesn't miss the easy bunnies. I may be the only one to think this; but, I think she could really push this team to the next level/round of the tourney.
 

LakeWoebegone said:
I agree. A team like South Carolina is all about balance. Joyce Edwards is the lead scorer with 19+ points a game. Then the other 4 top scorers are all in the low teens. The bench contributes almost 27 points a game. Dawn Staley has said before the reason they win championships is because no one is thee star and on any given night someone can step up and score 20+ points if needed.
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We don't have the right amount of money or a good enough national profile to get the same level of talent in bench players. Those bench players commit to playing at a legendary school for the name recognition and because they're (probably?) still making more money than what Minnesota could offer them to start and play for 30+ minutes. That's why we can never compete with the likes of UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA.

Sure, we can manage great starters and 2-4 solid players off the bench, but we will really struggle to become one of the super teams we're seeing, who are able to blow out 2/3 seeds by 30+ points in the tournament.
 

MaroonMagic said:
We don't have the right amount of money or a good enough national profile to get the same level of talent in bench players. Those bench players commit to playing at a legendary school for the name recognition and because they're (probably?) still making more money than what Minnesota could offer them to start and play for 30+ minutes. That's why we can never compete with the likes of UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA.

Sure, we can manage great starters and 2-4 solid players off the bench, but we will really struggle to become one of the super teams we're seeing, who are able to blow out 2/3 seeds by 30+ points in the tournament.
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My point was Crooks wouldn't be a good fit for South Carolina unless she was willing to score less than 20 points a game on average.
 




DietCokeFan said:
Crooks could really bring Gophers to an elite 8 next year. I am sure it won't happen; but, I at least hope Coach P makes a call.
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No thanks. She plays 25 minutes and has no defense. She's worse than a matador. Neither she nor Merkle are what the team needs.

We need centers who can play 30+ minutes, and absolutely lock down the paint on defense in crunch time.

Crooks and Merkle have poor conditioning and cannot defend. They have a Doncic problem. You can't win big them.
 

CBS sports Jack Maloney lists UCLA, Iowa and the gophers as potential Gophers landing spots
 

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