WBIT Game 2: Gophers visit Missouri State (3-23-25)

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Minnesota earned a trip to Springfield Missouri and a meeting with Missouri State (26=8, 16-4 MVC). The Lady Bears have some NCAA history with two final fours in 17 tournament appearances. And the Gophers have some history intertwined with Missouri State.

Minnesota and Missouri State previously met at Williams Arena in November 2019. The Lady Bears defeated the Gophers 77-69. It was head coach Amaka Aguagua-Hamilton’s first season in Springfield. She stayed three seasons before success took her to the University of Virginia. Aguagua-Hamilton was replaced by current Lady Bears head coach Beth Cunningham who was fresh off assistant coaching stints at Duke and Notre Dame plus a run as head coach at VCU.

Yes, it was Cunningham’s resignation from VCU that brought Marlene Stollings to the Rams and eventually Stollings, Villa 7 and two NCAA appearances to Minnesota. It was the spring of hope it was the winter of despair…etc

 

[Gophers112233]

Missouri State put up 107 points..

made fourteen 3 pointers..

6 players in double figures

 

[drewhaus7]

Missouri State put up 107 points..

made fourteen 3 pointers..

6 players in double figures

They have a deeper team and 5 ladies willing to shoot the 3 and are 33% or higher on the year. We have had trouble with arc shooting teams so it will be interesting. Rah!

Still wasn't too impressed with our overall offense as seemed nothing has changed much in last two weeks of practice. Need to move more off screens without the ball, but we seem to lack foot speed to do so. Seems like we either rely for one on one play or we telegraph that we are trying to force feed it down low to Hart hoping she can finish. Got the W and move on I guess what matters! Impressed with Toledo's crowd. Rah!

 

[MaroonMagic]

Missouri State put up 107 points..

made fourteen 3 pointers..

6 players in double figures

I'm not so concerned how they'll do against the Gopher defense, which is undoubtedly much better than Oral Roberts's defense.

Missouri State only played two Power Four teams this year, and they lost both games. Florida State was 97-66 and Texas Tech was 72-69.

 

[DietCokeFan]

They have a deeper team and 5 ladies willing to shoot the 3 and are 33% or higher on the year. We have had trouble with arc shooting teams so it will be interesting. Rah!

Still wasn't too impressed with our overall offense as seemed nothing has changed much in last two weeks of practice. Need to move more off screens without the ball, but we seem to lack foot speed to do so. Seems like we either rely for one on one play or we telegraph that we are trying to force feed it down low to Hart hoping she can finish. Got the W and move on I guess what matters! Impressed with Toledo's crowd. Rah!

I noticed this too. As much as I like Battle the ball just sticks in her hands and dribbles too much. She has the mid range game, but the ball does not move well when she is operating. I really want this team to bring in an experienced PG next year even though I don't think Coach P will. I will add I thought Battle was trying to push the call up the court faster last night.

 

[MaroonMagic]

I really want this team to bring in an experienced PG next year even though I don't think Coach P will.

Battle IS an experienced point guard!!! And without a lot of money to throw around, we're just not going to get anyone better in the portal (because Battle already ranks in the top 10 of Big Ten players for some key stats).

She'll be a senior next year and with her this season, the Gophers already had the fewest turnovers per game and the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Ten! She is a big part of that, especially given that Braun, one of the best ball handlers, was out after just 5 games. She was also our second leading scorer after Grocholski. A lot rested on her shoulders this season and last, and this season she handled it very well. I'm excited to see her play hopefully a full season with Braun next time, because then things will click a lot better.

 

[DietCokeFan]

Batt

Battle IS an experienced point guard!!! And without a lot of money to throw around, we're just not going to get anyone better in the portal (because Battle already ranks in the top 10 of Big Ten players for some key stats).

She'll be a senior next year and with her this season, the Gophers already had the fewest turnovers per game and the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Ten! She is a big part of that, especially given that Braun, one of the best ball handlers, was out after just 5 games. She was also our second leading scorer after Grocholski. A lot rested on her shoulders this season and last, and this season she handled it very well. I'm excited to see her play hopefully a full season with Braun next time, because then things will click a lot better.

Battle does A LOT of things well, and I think she is a great player; however, getting her team in an offensive flow and ball movement is not her strength. Is this entirely her fault? probably not, but as a PG all eyes tend to go towards her. Maybe getting Braun back will help, and I hope it does. Time will tell.

 

[wbbaddict]

This will be a very tough game for the Gophs. Missouri State has not lost a regular season home game. Our chances of winning would have been really good if we were hosting as we should have been. Much more difficult to win on the road during tournament play.

 

[BigTenGuy]

This will be avery tough games for the Gophs. Missouri State has not lost a regular season home game. Our chances of winning would have been really good if we were hosting as we should have been. Much more difficult for win on the road during tournament play.

Missouri St is 69 in the NET. A victory would be the Gophers first top 100 NET victory away from Williams Arena this season.

 

[drewhaus7]

This will be avery tough games for the Gophs. Missouri State has not lost a regular season home game. Our chances of winning would have been really good if we were hosting as we should have been. Much more difficult for win on the road during tournament play.

And NCAA pays for the approved operating expense but does collect the ticket revenue. No excuse for the Gophers to not be able to host the events. It does however give the team some experience playing away from home is about it.