U women gameday: Gophers at Utah

Last update: November 17, 2009 - 12:10 AM

Preview: This will be Minnesota's first tough test of the regular season after Sunday's 84-45 home-court rout of Lamar. Utah has a 50-15 record and two NCAA berths in the past two years and has reached the NCAAs four of the past five years. Coach Elaine Elliott is in her 27th season and has a 559-223 career record with 15 NCAA appearances. The Utes are 0-1 after losing their season opener at Utah State 67-58. The Utes are in a rebuilding mode, returning just two starters from last season. The top freshman is 6-3 center Taryn Wicijowski, a member of Canada's National Junior team. The Gophers, in contrast, return four starters from a year ago.

Key players: Utah senior Kaylee Whipple is a three-time All-Mountain West selection who averaged 17.0 points and 5.9 rebounds a year ago. The 6-foot forward had 21 points in the season-opening loss to Utah State. It's becoming clear after the Gophers' two exhibition games -- one a loss to Winona State, and the other the victory over Lamar -- that sophomore Kiara Buford will carry Minnesota's scoring load. She had 23 against Lamar.

Numbers: The Gophers shot 40 percent from three-point range (10 of 25) against Lamar, and it will be interesting to see if they can match that sharpshooting again. Utah hit only four of 13 threes against Utah State.

DENNIS BRACKIN

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