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B1G Preview: Maryland, and Michigan, and Minnesota…..oh my!

By Jasmine Brown

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Lindsay Whalen, joined by athletic director Mark Coyle, holds up a jersey with her name on it as she is introduced as the new University of Minnesota women’s basketball coach at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Friday, April 13, 2018. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Lindsay Whalen, joined by athletic director Mark Coyle, holds up a jersey with her name on it as she is introduced as the new University of Minnesota women’s basketball coach at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Friday, April 13, 2018. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) /

Predicted finish: 7th

Last year’s record: 23-8, 11-5 B1G

Key returners:

G- Kenisha Bell 5’9 RS Sr.18.1 PPG, 40% FG, 34.2 MPG

G- Destiny Pitts, 5’9 So. 13.3 PPG, 37.3% 3FG

Newcomers:

G- Mercedes Staples 5’10 (Centerville, Utah) Fr, (no. 64 on ESPN Hoopgurlz)

F-Barbora Tomancova 6’2 (Brno, Czech Republic), Fr.

F- Delanie Byrne 6’2 (Arvada, Colorado) Fr.

Key non-conference games: 

11/29: Syracuse

12/9: Boston College

Head Coach: Lindsay Whalen-1st season: 

Going to guess you guys know who Lindsay Whalen is.The now-former Minnesota Lynx guard has returned to her alma mater as head coach. She hopes to deliver the same type of success she garnered while with the Lynx. Whalen comes to the Gophers with a highly impressive WNBA resume: 5x WNBA All-star, 4x champion,  a 2x All-WNBA second team, and WNBA playoffs all-time assist leader. Transitioning from the pros straight to coaching is always an interesting thing to do, but Whalen will make sure her team has it together and the state of Minnesota will rally around her during this process.

Outlook:

Minnesota will have their work cut out for them with the added attention of Whalen, but Kenisha Bell is a stud and will have this team together. The team will also have newcomers Mercedes Staples, who is no. 64 on ESPN’s Hoopgurlz incoming freshmen, and two 6’2 forwards in Barbara Tomancova and Delanie Byrne.

Because of Whalen, look for this team be a more defensive-minded team, as steals and blocks will play a huge factor in determining their identity. The Gophers came in first in rebounding at 42 per game, so they will look to build on that even more. This will be an exciting season for Whalen and Minnesota, and you bet against Lindsay Whalen at your peril.

Best case scenario: Minnesota thrives off the defensive improvement and gives opponents fits.

Worst case scenario: Minnesota only thrives on offense and struggles to put away opponents.

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