Three Keys: Minnesota Gophers Women’s Basketball at Penn State Nittany Lions

The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball heads eastward to State College, Pennsylvania for a 5PM tip against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Minnesota comes in on a two game winning streak after defeting Oregon on the road last Wednesday 65-60 and then crushing Wisconsin at Williams Arena last Sunday by 35 points 88-53. If there is such a thing as a must-win in the Big Ten this is it, as the Nittany Lions are awful, and a loss to them would be inexcusable.

Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 7-14 (0-10)
NET Rank: 97

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 14-6 (5-4)
NET Rank: 13

KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN:

Play Elite Defense:

The Nittany Lions can score. They average almost a point a game more than the Gophers do. PSU has two of the top scorers in the Big Ten in Kiyomi McMiller and Grace Merkle both averaging more than 19 points a game. McMiller is a threat from all over the court and she returns to action after sitting out most of the seas a year ago with Rutgers. Merckle is 6’6 and it will be on Dawn Plitzuweit to come up with a good plan to cover her that involves both Sophie Hart and Finau Tonga and some back help from the Gophers guards doubling in the post. But they need to make sure they keep an eye on Moriah Murray who ranks second in the Big Ten in three pointers (55) and third in three pointers per game (2.62). Minnesota would rather give up two to Merckle than three to Murray. If the Gophers are careless on defense this game could be one where the first team to 80 wins, which is not the Gophers style. But their depth runs out very quickly. After the top two, they have nobody else in double figures and after their top four they have nobody else even averaging more than five points a game. Contain McMiller and Merkle and this should be an easy win for the Gophers. Minnesota is the 4th best defensive team in the conference this season allowing just 64.8 points—so keep that up.

Let Your Scorers Score:

While Penn State is decent offensively, they are DREADFUL defensively giving up the most points in the Big Ten this season at over 90 points per game in conference play. Yes over 90 per game. Three teams have scored more than 100, and four others have been in the 90’s. The Nittany Lions let opponents shoot 38% from three point range. If Grace Grocholski is on, she should have a legitimate chance at 30-40 points tonight. Add in the recent hot offensive play of Amaya Battle and the post game of Sophie Hart and if Minnesota takes care of business, this should be a run away.

Do The Little Things:

It’s the little things that matter in a game like this. You are on a long road trip, you’re tired, you are playing a hapless opponent. But if you do the little things right, it should be an easy win—get your ice cream and head on home. Protect the ball—the Gophers turn the ball over the least of any team in the Big Ten. Play smart. Crash the boards—Minnesota averages seven more rebound per game that the Nittany Lions. Dominate the boards with great play from your guards in Battle, Tori McKinney and Mara Braun. Get to the free throw line—and then make them. Penn State averages seven more fouls a game that Minnesota. Get their stars in foul trouble and this is a piece of cake. While the Gophers aren’t the best foul shooting team in the Big Ten, Penn State is dead last.

Prediction:

Minnesota should have a full lineup for the game tonight and hopefully can jump out on Penn State just like they did on Wisconsin. If they can—this one should be over by the third quarter. Minnesota wins 94-71.