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DietCokeFan said:
We just landed Thomas. Excited about this pickup. Multiple double doubles this past year. A much better version of Tonga. She can also shoot the 3 ball.
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I haven't seen any games, film or highlights on her. My big question, as it is with all of our players, can they defend at a Big 10 level.
 


Gophers112233 said:
17 steals
34 blocks

and grabbed 210 rebounds
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Not really talking about the highlight defensive stats. Rebound number is pretty impressive, but I'm more interested in defensive positioning, does she have the ability to move her feet, force the other team to turn down shots and rotate the ball away from her, play team defense and execute team defensive concepts.

Guessing that if Coach P went after her, she sees great defensive potential in some of the important defensive concepts that don't show up in a box score.

Thanks for the numbers though.
 


Chico Gopher said:
Not really talking about the highlight defensive stats. Rebound number is pretty impressive, but I'm more interested in defensive positioning, does she have the ability to move her feet, force the other team to turn down shots and rotate the ball away from her, play team defense and execute team defensive concepts.

Guessing that if Coach P went after her, she sees great defensive potential in some of the important defensive concepts that don't show up in a box score.

Thanks for the numbers though.
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I haven't seen much of her highlights as she played at Northwestern so I kind of think we should also take that with a grain of salt as northwestern was great last season.. but like you said Coach P must see something if they went after her. I'll see if i can track down any highlights tomorrow.
 

A point is a point. A rebound is a rebound. And so on, and she did it against Big Ten teams. Proven herself against top competition. I guess we could discount Michael Jordan's early years when the Bulls stunk. :unsure: :D I'm counting this a great addition to our already strong team. Hoping Merkle's visit goes well! And I'd bet Dawn isn't talking to either of them about being back-ups. I would imagine they would both get a lot of playing time.
 

LakeWoebegone said:
A point is a point.
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You’ve got a point 😎

LakeWoebegone said:
A rebound is a rebound. And so on, and she did it against Big Ten teams. Proven herself against top competition. I guess we could discount Michael Jordan's early years when the Bulls stunk. :unsure: :D I'm counting this a great addition to our already strong team. Hoping Merkle's visit goes well! And I'd bet Dawn isn't talking to either of them about being back-ups. I would imagine they would both get a lot of playing time.
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LakeWoebegone said:
A point is a point. A rebound is a rebound. And so on, and she did it against Big Ten teams. Proven herself against top competition. I guess we could discount Michael Jordan's early years when the Bulls stunk. :unsure: :D I'm counting this a great addition to our already strong team. Hoping Merkle's visit goes well! And I'd bet Dawn isn't talking to either of them about being back-ups. I would imagine they would both get a lot of playing time.
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Yeah if we can grab Merkle that is a pretty dang good group (Merkle, Thomas, Woodson, Breshers) Coach P would be able to do a lot of different things - Thomas/Woodson can run the floor and play fast with Tori and Harmons. Merkle and Breshers can play the slow game more so with GG
 



DietCokeFan said:
Yeah if we can grab Merkle that is a pretty dang good group (Merkle, Thomas, Woodson, Breshers) Coach P would be able to do a lot of different things - Thomas/Woodson can run the floor and play fast with Tori and Harmons. Merkle and Breshers can play the slow game more so with GG
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Ability to play different styles separate the good teams from the great ones. See UCLA.
 

Exactly, and per my backup comment, I was referring to when that term is used, it really speaks to how mediocre teams think. Let's have a star player and a back up player. I can't imagine that goes well in recruiting when approaching the back up player and it doesn't work well on the court either. I would have to imagine Dawn is rather thinking what you suggest on the different styles of play and options of bringing different players in in different situations. That's how great teams win and you don't have to be a #1 seed to do it.
 

I suppose that after signing Harmon and Thomas, Coach P/DTA probably understand how much $$$ are left in the bank.
 

AllEars said:
I suppose that after signing Harmon and Thomas, Coach P/DTA probably understand how much $$$ are left in the bank.
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Likely but not necessarily. I read somewhere recently that coaches get players to sign without certainty where the 💰comes from.
 




Merkle was a crazy good shooter! 72.5 shooting percentage for the year!
 

Willwin40 said:
Merkle was a crazy good shooter! 72.5 shooting percentage for the year!
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Her in-conference field-goal percentage this year is the highest conference FG% in Big Ten history. She shattered the previous record of 70.7%.

.726 Gracie Merkle (119-164)

1. .707 Brionna Jones, Maryland (130-184) 2017
2. .703 Monika Czinano, Iowa (135-192) 2023
3. .694 Star Allen, Ohio State (84-121) 2007
4. .687 Megan Gustafson, Iowa (211-307) 2019
5. .686 Janel McCarville, Minnesota (94-137) 2003
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana (166-242) 2024
 











Speaking from experience with job negotiations, if I were her agent, I'd probably still have her visit Washington and Oregon if she hasn't the latter already - and she knew she'd still have a spot here if she wanted it. Doesn't hurt in terms of negotiating for NIL if that's a factor. I'm sure she wants to get this right too after committing to Maryland last year and then walking that back and returning to Penn State. Regardless, I know Dawn and team will find someone good!
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Or she’s waiting to announce for us once she’s home🤷‍♂️
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Not sure this means anything at all because I rarely use Instagram and maybe she was doing this the whole time. Merkle is friends with the whole gophers team. Including the big returning starters, deep bench players like Bershers and the new gopher Leah Harmon.
 



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