B1G Game 15: Gophers Host Penn State (2-17-19)

Ignatius L Hoops

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Can the Gophers Silence Another Coach?

It could be worse. Penn State (3-10) have lost five in a row. It likely would’ve been six; but the Michigan State game on 21 January was postponed because of the Polar Vortex embracing East Lansing. After winning three consecutive B1G titles, Coquese Washington’s squad has dropped into the also participating category. Their last four B1G records are (beginning with the most recent): 6-10, 9-7, 6-13 and 3-15.

During the title years, the Lady Lions finished with a 6-0 run versus the Gophers. During the last four years PSU has sunk to 2-7 against Minnesota (7-7). The Gophers swept the Lady Lions last season. The second game was a rout. At Williams Arena, Minnesota outscored Penn State 33-18 in the first quarter and 22-8 in the second on the way to a 101-68 win. The Gophers were 13-23 from three in the romp. No Gopher starter played more than 29 minutes. Last year’s first meeting, in State College, was slightly closer. Minnesota only led 48-31 at the half and didn’t break a hundred in a 91-71 Gopher win. Minnesota was 10-17 from three.

And now, after 13 straight wins over Northwestern, Penn State dropped last night’s game in Evanston. It was, amazingly, Joe McKeown’s first win over the Lady Lions. Yes, Penn State is officially bad; but it doesn’t mean they are fun to play. Teniya Page (2nd in B1G scoring), Amari Carter and any of three of four other players can burn you if your attention wanders. Last night, PSU trailed the Wildcats 44-22 before running off 9 quick transition points (it should have been at least 11 points but a turnover gave the game back to Northwestern). Anyway, Northwestern put together a couple of surges turning the game into a laugher.

Two other notable PSU moments from last night: 1) Lauren Ebo took exception to being assessed her fourth foul and subsequently drew a technical for the fifth when she persisted in complaining. 2) In the third quarter, Starter Alisia Smith was helped to the locker room with a left leg injury and did not return. I'm expecting her not to play Sunday.

Penn State’s wins are Wisconsin (2) and Illinois. The Lady Lions play man and 2-3 zone; but as befits a 3-10 team neither are special. More important, the Gophers must keep Coquese Washington’s squad on its downward spiral.


B1G Wins: Wisconsin 61-77, Illinois 62-48, @ Wisconsin 65-59.

B1G Losses: Maryland 61-77, @ Indiana 75-83, @ Rutgers 61-74, Ohio State 71-76 OT, @ Maryland 67-79, Rutgers 61-69, Iowa 61-81, @ Ohio State 73-78, Michigan 62-66, Northwestern 63-78.


Starters: (B1G Conference Stats)

5’7” G Sr Teniya Page (19.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists in 35.6 minutes/game)
5’9” G Jr Siyeh Frazier (8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds in 22.1 minutes)
5’8” G Sr Amari Carter (9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 35.5 minutes)
6’3” F So Alisia Smith (8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds in 25.2 minutes)
6’0” G Fr Karisma Ortiz (3.7 points, 4.1 rebounds in 22.8 minutes)


Other:

6’4” F Fr Lauren Ebo (4.0 points, 5.2 rebounds in 18.9 minutes)
6’2” G Jr Jaida Travascio-Green (5.8 points, 1.5 rebounds in 19.6 minutes)
5’10” G So Kamaria McDaniel (5.8 points, 1.5 rebounds in 19.6 minutes)
6’3” F Fr Bexley Wallace
 

Due for a Illinois-like trap game?
 

Well, nothing comes easy for this Gopher team. That being said, PSU's only conference wins have been over two of the BIG's bottom quadrant teams, Wiscy and Illinois. I'm wondering if Coquese Washington is on the hot seat at PSU. If not, she should be. It's been quite a while since PSU has had a good team and Washington hasn't been able to recruit the talent necessary to compete in the big, even though she's had quite a bit of time to do so.
 

As crazy as it is this is a must win. You can't have this loss if you have hopes of dancing. Big boost of confidence heading into the final 3-game gauntlet that is @Maryland, @Rutgers, and MSU. Every win matters and this is just the next one in line. Give the home crowd a treat as we won't seem them again at home for 2 weeks and the season finale.
 

https://gophersports.com/documents/2019/2/16//26_PSU_Notes.pdf

• Through the first seven games of Big Ten play, Destiny Pitts was averaging 9.6 points per contest while shooting 33.8 percent on fi eld goals and 20.0 percent on 3-pointers, making 9-of-45 attempts from beyond the arc. Since then, she is averaging a team-high 19.4 points per game over the last seven contests while shooting 46.2 percent from the fl oor and 44.9 percent on 3-pointers (22-for-49). In her last two games, Pitts scored 21 against Northwestern and 27 at Purdue, marking the first time she’s scored 20+ points in consecutive games in her career.

• Few teams in the country get to the free throw line more than Minnesota. Through Thursday, the Golden Gophers ranked fourth in the NCAA in both free throws made (399) and free throws attempted (584). Kenisha Bell has been the most prolifi c free throw shooter for the team, leading the country in attempts (203) and ranking seventh in makes (137), while Annalese Lamke ranks fifth in the B1G in percentage (80.2) and Destiny Pitts is eighth (78.9).
 


As crazy as it is this is a must win. You can't have this loss if you have hopes of dancing. Big boost of confidence heading into the final 3-game gauntlet that is @Maryland, @Rutgers, and MSU. Every win matters and this is just the next one in line. Give the home crowd a treat as we won't seem them again at home for 2 weeks and the season finale.

Can't wait to watch the game against PSU on BTN 1:00 PM Central. This is most certainly a big game that can be a trap game if the Lady Gophers are complacent.

The finish couldn't have been scripted better. The final three games are a real test. The finale at home against MSU is going to be rocking.
 
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Looks like our bench is even shorter today. Kehinde has joined Hubbard Tomancova and Staples in street clothes.
 





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Thank god Bell came back after rolling her ankle. Let's see if Page does, she's getting taped up on the bench.
 

That was Page that went out of the game with an ankle injury. She's back now with the score at 9-8 PSU.
 

That was a pretty in rhythm three by Perez.
 





Nice response after falling down 9-2 early. Pitts is drilling 3s!
 

Well that was a fun quarter. Getting alot of good looks from deep against this bad psu defense.
 

I like the way Garrido Perez shoots 3’s
 


I'm shocked Bello didn't travel on that transition drive. She almost always travels when she tries to dribble.
 

I don’t know if it’s the 2K Point Award before the game or what ... but Bell has found her inner Whalen.
 

Holy half Batman! Keep this fire going in the 2nd half! Looking great so far!
 

I'm shocked Bello didn't travel on that transition drive. She almost always travels when she tries to dribble.

That actually was some pretty impressive dribbling and ball control - for any post, really. Perhaps Taiye is bucking to be the 5th guard in a 5-guard lineup.
 

That actually was some pretty impressive dribbling and ball control - for any post, really. Perhaps Taiye is bucking to be the 5th guard in a 5-guard lineup.

Her travels are normally from jab and gos when she picks up the pivot before replacing the jab foot. Her ballhandling is pretty good. Don't forget the umich game
 

Hey folks, it’s only halftime but we’re already close to 5 starters in double figure (Pitts and Bell there already). And potential for double-doubles by Bell and Bello.

Hope this is a real confidence builder for remaining games.
 

On pace to score 118. Keep the foot on the gas and break Penn states will to compete and close the game. If this is how they could play every game, this would be a top 10 team in the country. Maybe it has more to do with the competition, but the execution has been impeccable.
 

This is a really bad defense but Gophers ball movement today has been very impressive. Getting anything they want.
 


What a tremendous half ! When we shoot this well and play tenacious D we are difficult to beat.
 





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