So far the Gophers women’s basketball team hasn’t provided many surprises, at least as far as results.
The Gophers were a perfect 12-0 in nonconference play against teams they were expected to beat. They have gone 2-1 in Big Ten Conference play so far, struggling against a Nebraska team that has been ranked at points this season while beating two teams — Penn State and Wisconsin — not expected to be big factors in the conference race.
But they have won those games. The Gophers avenged a blowout loss to Penn State at the end of last season with a 90-54 blowout win last Saturday. Then they went to Wisconsin and beat the Badgers 59-50 for the first time in two seasons, winning their second conference road game under coach Dawn Plitzuweit.
Here are five things we learned from Tuesday’s victory in Madison:
The Gophers play defense
Minnesota ranks first in the Big Ten in opposition points per game (50.1), third in defensive field-goal percentage (34.8) and second in three-point defense (25.0).
After Tuesday’s game, Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley talked about how much better and more physical the Gophers defense is in the second year under Plitzuweit. “They really turned up the heat with their physicality,” Moseley said.
One big reason could be 6-1 freshman guard Tori McKinney, who has been starting in place of the injured Mara Braun. McKinney has length and quickness and has assumed the job of picking up the ball at the top of the defense.
“They have a lot of similar players,” Moseley said. “They can switch on defense [rather than fight through picks]. Second year with that group? Definitely a difference.”