Recent content from Kent Youngblood
Lynx land dynamic scorer Pili with No. 8 pick in WNBA draft
Alissa Pili averaged 21.1 points over her final two seasons at Utah and can score with high efficiency inside and outside. Caitlin Clark went No. 1 overall while LSU star Angel Reese went to Chicago at No. 7.
WNBA mock draft: Who's going where in the first round?
The first pick is a no-brainer: Caitlin Clark to Indiana. But what happens next? Who will the Lynx take? Here's WNBA writer Kent Youngblood's look at the first round.
Lynx move down one spot in WNBA draft in trade with Chicago
The Lynx moved down one spot in the first round from No. 7 to No. 8 and acquired post player Sika Koné.
Lynx have seventh pick in Monday's WNBA draft
After Caitlin Clark goes No. 1 overall, Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx will wait on 'best player available'
Gophers women's basketball gets Nebraska transfer Annika Stewart of Wayzata
Annika Stewart averaged 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds this season coming off the bench for a Cornhuskers team that made the NCAA tournament.
Lynx games to be shown on BSN, four national networks
BSN will show 28 games on the 40-game schedule, with others also being shown on national networks and streaming platforms. Here's where you can see them.
WNBA moves quickly to showcase Caitlin Clark
The Indiana Fever get top billing in the league's national TV and streaming plan. The league also announced the Lynx's TV schedule.
Postseason push runs out for U women's basketball with WNIT championship loss
Amaya Battle, who had averaged 17 points in her first four WNIT games, was held scoreless as the Gophers turned the ball over 20 times and made just four of 23 three-pointers.
Gophers point guard reaches new level as team readies for WNIT final
Minnesota has seen some notable postseason growth, especially from Amaya Battle, entering Saturday afternoon's WNIT championship game vs. St. Louis.
Gophers women's basketball vs. St. Louis game preview: WNIT championship game analysis
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: The Gophers will have a tough test, facing a St. Louis team that ousted Wisconsin from this tournament in the quarterfinals.
Paige vs. Caitlin in the Final Four. 'It will be epic,' Reeve says.
Cheryl Reeve, Lindsay Whalen and others are riveted by Friday's Final Four matchup between Iowa and UConn and talked about what they're expecting to see.
How to watch Gophers vs. St. Louis for the WNIT championship
The Gophers women's basketball team will face Saint Louis on Saturday at 2 p.m., for the WNIT championship on the campus of Southern Illinois Edwardsville.
U women move into WNIT title game with another win on the road
Grace Grocholski sank a key three-pointer in the final minute, and the Gophers continued to thrive on a tough road route by defeating Troy to reach Saturday's WNIT championship game.
Gophers set to face a dominant Troy (Ala.) team in WNIT semifinals
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: Amaya Battle will have to keep up her recent play for the Gophers to advance to the WNIT title game.
Battle steps up with Braun sitting out, leads U to WNIT semifinals
With their top player on the bench, Amaya Battle stepped up with a 29-point night, almost half of them in the fourth quarter, as the Gophers won at Wyoming.
Gophers women at Wyoming WNIT preview: Health could be critical
Both the Gophers and the Cowgirls lost to Nebraska by 19 points this season, the only opponent the two teams have in common.
U star Braun expected to miss WNIT game tonight as injury flares up
The Gophers won both of their WNIT games so far with Mara Braun in the lineup after finishing the season with a 2-9 record in the games she missed.
Gophers women escape NDSU's rally for 69-65 win in WNIT Super 16
Minnesota entered the fourth quarter up 14 but saw the lead dissipate before an Amaya Battle jumper with 34 seconds remaining pulled the Gophers ahead for good.
Gophers to face vastly improved NDSU in Super 16 WNIT game
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: Expect a closer game than when Minnesota defeated NDSU by 22 points early in the season. The Bison are a different team.
Clark, other stars turn women's Sweet 16 into must-watch TV
Kent Youngblood's College Basketball Insider: The NCAA women's basketball Sweet 16 is brimming with talent and compelling story lines that gives it more drama than the men's field.
U women open WNIT play with 77-62 victory vs. Pacific
Mara Braun and Sophie Hart combined for 26 points in their return from injury, and the Gophers advanced to face North Dakota State in the WNIT Super 16.
Gophers set for second-round WNIT home game vs. Pacific
After a first-round WNIT bye, the Gophers should have Mara Braun and Sophie Hart back from injury.
With Braun back from foot injury, Gophers aim for WNIT run
The Gophers women's basketball season changed for the worse when Mara Braun broke her foot in January, with the team going 2-12 while she was out.
WNBA superstar Moore will have jersey retired by Lynx
Maya Moore was an All-Star fixture who won four league titles in Minnesota before her abrupt retirement to concentrate on freeing her future husband from an unjust prison sentence.
The big list: Bueckers, 36 other Minnesotans in NCAA women's tournament
UConn's Paige Bueckers and Kansas State's Ayoka Lee may be the biggest stars. But you'll see Minnesotans all over the tournament. Here's our list of 37 players..
NCAA women's basketball bracket. Youngblood's picks and highlights.
Star Tribune women's basketball writer Kent Youngblood takes you through the NCAA women's tournament from the first round to the title game.
Gophers women's basketball gets first-round WNIT bye
The Gophers will play either Cal Poly or Pacific in the second round.
NCAA women's basketball: What to watch in all four regions
Four must-watch players and four must-watch matchups from the 68-team field which was announced Sunday.
U women accept WNIT bid after missing NCAA and WBIT fields
The Gophers women's basketball team extended its season, with its next opponent and game time TBA as of late Sunday night.
Gophers women waiting for invite Sunday from new WBIT or the WNIT
The Gophers are 16-15, with no chance of an NCAA bid, but they hope for a postseason berth. The new WBIT is a possibility, along with the WNIT.
Hiedeman should give Lynx better options at guard
The Lynx open the WNBA season on May 14 at Seattle with the goal of improving on defense.
Newcomers Smith, Williams add depth, experience to Lynx
Veterans Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams represent significant transformation for the Lynx.
Clark. Iowa rallies again (and again) to win title in overtime
The Hawkeyes defeated Nebraska for their third straight Big Ten tournament title after trailing by double-digits at halftime, and by eight with under two minutes left in regulation.
Clark's 28 points, 15 assists lead Iowa into Big Ten title game at Target Center
The Hawkeyes dished out 30 assists as a team in the blowout victory over Michigan and will face Nebraska on Sunday for another conference championship.
Far from her best, Clark still leads Iowa over Penn State in Big Ten quarters
Despite not making one of her signature three pointers until the fourth quarter, Caitlin Clark still had a team-high 24 points sending the Hawkeyes into Saturday's semifinals.
What's next for Gophers women's basketball after Big Ten exit?
The Gophers hope for a WNIT bid on March 17 and the next day, the transfer portal opens.
Little drama as U women lose to Michigan, exit Big Ten tournament
The start was slow and the shots didn't fall. The Gophers women were no match for sixth-seeded Michigan in the second-round defeat.
Battle's career night boosts Gophers past last-place Rutgers; Michigan next
Amaya Battle scored 32 points as the Gophers won for the second time in their last 12 games to move into the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Gophers in tatters as they open Big Ten women's tournament
Remember when the U was projected to make the NCAA tournament field? That was before a key injury and 10 losses in their last 11 games. The last two were by a combined 104 points.
Gophers women to open Big Ten tournament vs. 8-23 Rutgers
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: The Gophers and Rutgers have both struggled mightily since their Feb. 13 matchup, which the Scarlet Knights won 81-73.
Caitlin Clark named Big Ten women's basketball Player of the Year again
The Gophers' Grace Grocholski was a unanimous pick for the Big Ten all-freshman team, with Mara Braun and Amaya Battle getting honorable mention honors.
Ten players to watch at this week's Big Ten women's tournament
The Big Ten women's basketball tournament brings stars from across the 14-team conference, with a champion set to be crowned Sunday at Target Center.
Five Minnesotans to watch in the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Here's some of the homegrown talent returning to the state to demonstrate their skills at Target Center.
U women's season hits low point with loss by 56 points to Penn State
The loss was the second worst ever in program history and comes days after a 108-60 loss to Iowa. The Big Ten tournament opens Wednesday.
Gophers women head to Penn State for final regular-season game
Given how much the Nittany Lions have to play for, and given Minnesota's injuries, an upset on the road will be difficult for the Gophers.
Trade for Caitlin Clark? 'Not a chance,' says Lynx coach Reeve
Cheryl Reeve said there's no doubt Clark will be the No. 1 overall pick and that Indiana won't trade the pick. People will say, 'Sell the farm to get her. Well, the farm ain't going to be enough.'
Clark sets scoring record as the GOAT goes wild at the Barn
Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark hit a three-pointer with 4:29 to play to set the women's Division I scoring record as fans of the Hawkeyes and Gophers cheered her on.
Iowa's Clark breaks another record, this time against the Gophers
The Gophers couldn't stop Caitlin Clark's record-breaking run Wednesday, as she surpassed Lynette Woodard as the highest-scoring major-college women's basketball player of all-time.
Clark's historic visit to Williams Arena comes with perfect timing
The explosion of popularity for women's sports in general has provided the backdrop as Caitlin Clark and her Iowa teammates play before sellout crowds everywhere they go.
Gophers injuries will make it doubly tough to stop Clark, Iowa
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: Caitlin Clark has talented teammates, too, and the Gophers are a longshot to win, especially given their injury situation.
Gophers women's basketball crushed 70-51 at Nebraska
It was the eighth loss in the past nine games for the Gophers, who continue to struggle mightily without injured starters.
Gophers women's basketball heads on the road to face red-hot Nebraska
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: The Gophers are battling injuries, while the Huskers have won four of five, including an upset win at Iowa.
Big Ten women's basketball tournament officially sold out
Iowa's Caitlin Clark has been a huge draw, helping spur sellout crowds for the conference tournament at Target Center.
U women's basketball gets Wisconsin high school standout as 2025 commit
Makena Christian is a 6-foot forward/guard ranked No. 39 in the 2025 class by ESPN. She is averaging 25.5 points per game this season for Hartford (Wis.) Union High School.
U women unable to dig out of early hole in 67-56 loss to Wisconsin
Serah Williams scored 30 points to lead the Badgers past the Gophers, who couldn't overcome a 15-point halftime deficit and lost its seventh in eight games.
U women seek redemption vs. Wisconsin after snapping skid
After ending a losing streak Saturday, Minnesota is looking for its first victory against the Badgers since 2022. The two teams are both 5-9 in conference play.
U women's basketball ends losing skid with 88-63 victory over Northwestern
Grace Grocholski (27 points) made her first eight shots and finished the game 10-for-13.
Lynx sign 6-foot-4 forward to training camp contract
Veteran forward Ruthy Hebard, who played for Chicago, is on a training camp deal along with four others who have WNBA experience.
Gophers women look to bounce back against Northwestern
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: This is an opportunity for the Gophers to snap their losing streak, but they've had other chances and missed.
Areas of concern: How can U women end their six-game losing streak?
The Gophers need a reset after Tuesday's loss at last-place Rutgers. They'll look to snap their losing streak on Saturday vs. Northwestern.
The Caitlin Clark show arrives here soon. Seeing her won't be cheap.
Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, the new NCAA women's basketball career scoring leader, faces the Gophers at Williams Arena — and will be back in Minnesota for the Big Ten tournament.
Gophers women's skid continues in loss to last-place Rutgers
Minnesota led by 10 points after the first quarter but ended up falling to a team that had won only one of its previous 15 games.
Chance for Gophers women's basketball to start making up ground
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: The Gophers' losing streak should end at Rutgers, but they need to avoid the one bad quarter that has plagued them in recent games.
Gophers still struggling to find offense in 71-47 loss to Ohio State
Thanks to some tenacious Minnesota defense, it was a five-point game at the half. But the No. 5 Buckeyes took advantage of Gophers turnovers in the second half to run away with their 10th consecutive win.
Game preview: Gophers women aim to end four-game skid vs. red-hot Ohio State
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: It will be difficult for the Gophers to stop their losing skid here. Ohio State is one of the hottest teams in the nation.
Gophers women can't overcome huge halftime deficit in loss to Spartans
A spirited second half rally and a stellar game from Janay Sanders wasn't enough after the Gophers fell behind by 23 points at the half against Michigan State.
Nikolina Milic could miss Lynx season
Milic has injuries that might sideline her, but Cecilia Zandalasini could return to the team.
Gophers women face tall task at Michigan State
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: Winning at the Breslin Center, where the Spartans thrive, will be a huge challenge for the Gophers.
Lynx lose ex-Gophers star Banham to Sun through free agency
Rachel Banham was a popular member of the Lynx during her four seasons with the Lynx, who are bringing back another of their veterans.
By trade and free agency, Lynx add two veteran point guards
The Lynx are in the process of overhauling their roster to prepare for 2024 and the next set of moves is expected to bring change to the front court.
First game minus Braun isn't pretty as Gophers thumped by Penn State
Minnesota had trouble with Penn State's press, missed almost all of its three-pointers and fell victim to defensive breakdowns in the first game without injured star Maya Braun.
Lynx trade Mitchell to Sun for Hiedeman
The exchange of starting guards, with Minnesota swapping Tiffany Mitchell for Natisha Hiedeman, included the Lynx sending a draft pick to Connecticut.
Gophers-Penn State preview: First game without Braun on the floor
Kent Youngblood's breakdown: Penn State is one of the Big Ten's hottest teams and biggest surprises this season, a challenge for a Gophers team without Mara Braun.
Gophers women hope to turn star player's injury into chance to grow
The Gophers women's basketball team faces Penn State on Wednesday in the first game since losing star guard Mara Braun to a foot injury.
U women's basketball star Braun out indefinitely, needs foot surgery
Sophomore Mara Braun ranks fourth in the Big Ten in scoring and has shot 37% from three-point range. She hurt her foot in the second half of Sunday's game at Illinois.
