As my final submittal in the pre-season poll accuracy dispute, I cite one of the world’s greatest deliberative bodies-the NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Committee. This esteemed group spent weeks examining data from every perspective. And then declared they required 48 more hours of intense attention to a small group of teams including the Gophers. Finally, they delivered a determination ranking Minnesota as the sixth best team in the Big Ten. Thus, clearly fitting the parameters of my pre-season ranking.
As for coaching, I do find it amusing that following years of general Borton bashing by fans and media, the program has been turned over to Pam’s best player (who in her introductory presser included Geno, Dawn and Pam in her pantheon of great coaches) and two of Pam's former assistants whom perfectly book ended Pam’s tenure. Danielle was the first assistant Pam hired and Kelly was the last to be sent packing. The new staff does have a lot to prove. And though I think this team is tournament ready, the team has the holes you mentioned.
As an aside; It is oddly normal for a new Gopher staff to inherit a tournament ready team. Brenda, Pam, Marlene and now Lindsay did so. The first three immediately made NCAA trips. Marlene increased her chances by recruiting grad transfer, Shae Kelley. Lindsay will likely need to address the post needs with a similar approach. That may mean a grad transfer or an international player. I don’t know how you do this as a first time, part time coach; but we’ll see.
The team has three of the B1G's best players. That's a solid start. Hubbard needs to step into Wagner's role and yes I'm assuming at least one of the new recruits will step up. Marlene seemed able to make that happen. I'm assuming the new staff can provide a couple of positives.
Yes it's early to make the NCAA call, primarily because Lindsay has yet to say a word about the offensive and defensive styles she's implementing. And I have no idea whether Danielle or Kelly are offensive or defensive specialists. It will be fascinating how the offense is implemented during summer session-almost as fascinating as the defensive implementation. Most of us thought anyone could coach better defense than Marlene-now we're going to find out.