Gopher Women off-season thread

One of the top players in the state who is from Shakopee for the class of 2016 committed to North Carolina yesterday. It doesn't seem like Stollings was given much of a chance to build a relationship, but with signing day a year and a half away, hopefully they continue recruiting her:

http://keepingitheel.com/2014/06/30...tm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Trending on FS

Go Gophers!!

I'm surprised this wasn't the lead sports story on Kare 11! I didn't catch much coverage of our recent football commitments, but they were "Johnny on the spot" to report Jashon's commitment to OSU and Wally's transfer to Marquette.
 

One of the top players in the state who is from Shakopee for the class of 2016 committed to North Carolina yesterday. It doesn't seem like Stollings was given much of a chance to build a relationship, but with signing day a year and a half away, hopefully they continue recruiting her:

http://keepingitheel.com/2014/06/30...tm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Trending on FS

Go Gophers!!
I think Bobby Bowden use to say that Verbals only gave him an indication of the competition :)
 

MN Daily: Gophers adjusting to new style
Head coach Marlene Stollings runs her practices differently than Pam Borton.

Head coach Marlene Stollings said at the beginning of the summer that she’d use the first few weeks of Minnesota’s summer workouts to feel out the skill sets of her new players.

Nearly a month in, the players are getting a feel for their new coaching staff, too.

“They’re very intense, but in a good way. They’re teaching us fast, so you’ve got to pay attention,” senior Shae Kelley said. “They’re going to explain something and expect you to be able to do it.”

Chmiel said he’s already seen reigning Big Ten leading scorer Rachel Banham go head-to-head with highly touted incoming freshman guard Carlie Wagner.

“They’re two special players, and they’re competitive. You can tell that they’re going to bring a lot to the team. I’m excited about both of them,” said Chmiel, who’s in charge of guard development.

http://www.mndaily.com/sports/womens-basketball/2014/07/15/gophers-adjusting-new-style

Go Gophers!!
 

Minnesota was on Romero's list of 94 schools she wanted to be released to. It was visible on the Outside the Lines they did with her. :D She would fill in nicely when Banham graduates.

Romero ended up transferring to Florida St and will sit out the upcoming year. Looking forward to seeing how good our team can be.
 

I think the ladies are going to really create a buzz this year. Any chance we'll get more than 3 or 4 games on TV?
 


I think the ladies are going to really create a buzz this year. Any chance we'll get more than 3 or 4 games on TV?

I'm sure several will be on ESPN3 and I won't see them...
 



PiPress: Gophers basketball: Marlene Stollings brings 'fury' to U

Being the most fit women's basketball team in the Big Ten is the goal under new coach Marlene Stollings, who brings a faster, more up-tempo style of play than the one taught by predecessor Pam Borton.

"The biggest difference this year is we do track conditioning," said Banham, the Big Ten's leading scorer last season. "That's all she talked about, that 'you guys are going to have to be in shape.' "

Banham already was in impressive physical shape. During a stretch of the Big Ten season last year, she played at least 40 minutes in seven of eight games, including two 44-minute overtime performances.

"I thought I was in shape," she said, "but now I'm like, 'No way; not even close.' "

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_26209819/gophers-basketball-marlene-stollings-brings-fury-u

Go Gophers!!
 



STrib: Gophers freshman Wagner possesses eye of the tiger

At 6 a.m., the sun begins to peek through the fence vines enclosing the Bierman track. Most of the players, in the midst of a grueling set of sprints, are hurting. They lean down over their thighs, arms resting on knees.

Wagner is upright and practically bouncing. She lines up next to sophomore Joanna Hedstrom — they are the team’s quickest — on the sun-baked grass.

“Seven more,” Hedstrom breathes, leaning against a fence pole.

“We got it, we got it,” Wagner says with encouragement. Her eyes are already on the other end of the field.

“That’s who she is,” new Gophers coach Marlene Stollings would say later. “From a basketball standpoint, people would probably be shocked if they were to find out that she has this other side off the court because she is so intense and competitive.”

As the 100-meter sprints pile up, the distance between Wagner and her trailing teammates grows.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/268978441.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!
 

Lady Gophers are going to be fun to watch this year. Hope we get more TV games, but not holding my breath.
 

Both the men and women should make the NCAA Tournament provided everyone that's supposed to be here in the fall shows up, but I expect the women will have a better chance to advance deep into March. Will be surprised if the new coach doesn't get a Sweet 16 appearance out of the Fab 4 of Dre's girlfriend (Banham), ZB, Wagner, and the talented transfer from ODU.
 

Neat part of the story about Wagner in the paper today was the small town girl who had always dreamed of playing for the Gophers. Best player in the state wanting to be a Gopher from the start. Wish that would happen in football and men's basketball, but it feels like those days are gone even if Kill and Pitino can have some in-state success.
 



Neat part of the story about Wagner in the paper today was the small town girl who had always dreamed of playing for the Gophers. Best player in the state wanting to be a Gopher from the start. Wish that would happen in football and men's basketball, but it feels like those days are gone even if Kill and Pitino can have some in-state success.

I think that will always be more true of the out-state players. They get a chance to go away to the 'big city' To the metro players it is just staying home.
 

As far as recruiting MN, the new regime pissed off a lot of aau coaches when it passed on the final big summer tournament locally, the North Tartan Meltdown at Hopkins HS. Apparently no Gopher coach set foot in Hopkins HS the entire weekend. More than 200 other college coaches, apparently, did.

Taylor Koenen, the Shakopee kid mentioned above, was a loss. A 6-1 combo guard, she can really play. Nia Hollie, 6-footer, has morphed from a combo guard to forward in the past year. Better than Nia Coffey? No but she can hit the mid-range jumper and pound the boards. Courtney Fredrickson, a 6-1 forward, does a little bit of everything. Jamie Ruden from Rochester is 6-2, her position is mid-range scorer. She's just got the best jump shot in the (2016) class. That's your big 4, one down, 3 to go. Whether they want or can get any of them remains to be seen.
 

As far as recruiting MN, the new regime pissed off a lot of aau coaches when it passed on the final big summer tournament locally, the North Tartan Meltdown at Hopkins HS. Apparently no Gopher coach set foot in Hopkins HS the entire weekend. More than 200 other college coaches, apparently, did.

Taylor Koenen, the Shakopee kid mentioned above, was a loss. A 6-1 combo guard, she can really play. Nia Hollie, 6-footer, has morphed from a combo guard to forward in the past year. Better than Nia Coffey? No but she can hit the mid-range jumper and pound the boards. Courtney Fredrickson, a 6-1 forward, does a little bit of everything. Jamie Ruden from Rochester is 6-2, her position is mid-range scorer. She's just got the best jump shot in the (2016) class. That's your big 4, one down, 3 to go. Whether they want or can get any of them remains to be seen.

There are more fish in the sea. In year 1 of recruiting, it could be the new coaches have already established connections to players out east and feel like they have a better chance of landing those kids. I'm sure as the coaches become more comfortable with local scene that recruiting will pick up.
 

There are more fish in the sea. In year 1 of recruiting, it could be the new coaches have already established connections to players out east and feel like they have a better chance of landing those kids. I'm sure as the coaches become more comfortable with local scene that recruiting will pick up.

Pretty tough to overcome a bad first impression, particularly in a provincial environment. Unless the entire coaching staff had high probability targets elsewhere, there should have been a presence at the tournament. The new coach doesn't appear more dynamic or talented than Borton (who I thought deserved to go) and this was an indication that she needs a Minnesotan in her inner circle to tell her how to navigate the local scene.
 

Pretty tough to overcome a bad first impression, particularly in a provincial environment. Unless the entire coaching staff had high probability targets elsewhere, there should have been a presence at the tournament. The new coach doesn't appear more dynamic or talented than Borton (who I thought deserved to go) and this was an indication that she needs a Minnesotan in her inner circle to tell her how to navigate the local scene.

We'll see. Norwood hasn't led us wrong on a hire yet, so I'll give Stollings the benefit of the doubt. Have some faith, padawan.
 

Pretty tough to overcome a bad first impression, particularly in a provincial environment. Unless the entire coaching staff had high probability targets elsewhere, there should have been a presence at the tournament. The new coach doesn't appear more dynamic or talented than Borton (who I thought deserved to go) and this was an indication that she needs a Minnesotan in her inner circle to tell her how to navigate the local scene.

Now, I'm not trying to tug strings here, but do YOU happen to be one of the angry local AAU coaches? Besides Nia Hollie (who I certianly hope they've been in contact with), I don't see anyone else in the 15/16 classes in Minnesota worth offering. 2017s have some names though!
 

Pretty tough to overcome a bad first impression, particularly in a provincial environment. Unless the entire coaching staff had high probability targets elsewhere, there should have been a presence at the tournament. The new coach doesn't appear more dynamic or talented than Borton (who I thought deserved to go) and this was an indication that she needs a Minnesotan in her inner circle to tell her how to navigate the local scene.

First impression has actually been pretty good. Seems to have hired a solid coaching staff; kept all of the recruits for this year; looks like the returning players have bought in; and Stollings got a transfer, Shae Kelley, who can play this year and looks to be a major contributor.

That said, something got screwed up. You don't get to this level and not realize that you have to foster good relations with local high school and AAU coaches. Doesn't need a Minnesotan to tell her that, although I applaud your provincialism.
 

On the tee: Rachel Banham

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Now, I'm not trying to tug strings here, but do YOU happen to be one of the angry local AAU coaches? Besides Nia Hollie (who I certianly hope they've been in contact with), I don't see anyone else in the 15/16 classes in Minnesota worth offering. 2017s have some names though!

Oh gosh no. I just want gopher hoops to succeed.
 

First impression has actually been pretty good. Seems to have hired a solid coaching staff; kept all of the recruits for this year; looks like the returning players have bought in; and Stollings got a transfer, Shae Kelley, who can play this year and looks to be a major contributor. That said, something got screwed up. You don't get to this level and not realize that you have to foster good relations with local high school and AAU coaches. Doesn't need a Minnesotan to tell her that, although I applaud your provincialism.

It's not provincialism. It's common sense. At some point she's going to need some of those coaches and she's put herself in a position for them to bad mouth her.
 

COMMON SENSE

It's not provincialism. It's common sense. At some point she's going to need some of those coaches and she's put herself in a position for them to bad mouth her.

Common Sense! My gosh, Stollings not showing up to meet and greet, support North Tartan, be visible to
to all of the top Minnesota girls basketball players of all ages for one of 3 or 4 days is just short sighted
and dumb. She has to be there one day at minimum. She has to send somebody else from her staff the other days
at minimum. That's just very basic common sense. It's basically the only opportunity for Division one coaches
to see girls play in Minnesota on the NCAA summer recruiting calendar.

Do you realize how many parents of daughters are pissed off that the U of M did not even bother to
see and evaluate their daughter as a possible Gopher? Any parent thinks there is an outside chance
if their daughter has a great game while Stollings is watching, this might be their chance. However,
unlikely is not the point. Being ignored is pretty hard to remedy with the girls and parents. Not to
mention coaches and program leaders. If you are the U of M you can't ignore your home state or cherry
pick the top two, three girls leaving everybody else with no hope or incentive to dream. How is that
going to elevate the level of play in Minnesota?

Just so dumb, so short sighted on so many levels.

I will say this for Pam: she and her staff were always visible to Minnesota players, both at home and
at out of state tournaments. Pam just chose to target the wrong players to offer too often.
 

If you are the U of M you can't cherry pick the top two, three girls leaving everybody else with no hope or incentive to dream.
of course you can.
 

60's Guy wrote: Do you realize how many parents of daughters are pissed off that the U of M did not even bother to
see and evaluate their daughter as a possible Gopher

Wow...Are we Minnesotans that fragile?

60's Guy wrote: Pam just chose to target the wrong players to offer too often.

She offered everybody good but got who she got which is why she's not here anymore.

60's guy wrote: leaving everybody else with no hope or incentive to dream.

Welcome to the real world. Everyone gets a participation trophy. Isn't that enough?
 

It is interesting that none of the coaches were at the event but were they someplace more important?
 

It is interesting that none of the coaches were at the event but were they someplace more important?

Can you let them coach a season or two before you start telling us how they are failing because your daughter isn't on the team?
 




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