Recent content from Kent Youngblood
Braun, Gophers women's basketball rise up late to beat Drake in 2OT
The Gophers outscored the Bulldogs 20-9 to close the fourth quarter, then held on in two overtimes at Williams Arena. Mara Braun scored 14 of her 33 points after regulation.
Gophers women will get tested Saturday against a formidable Drake team
Kent Youngblood's analysis: This is the last of seven straight home games to start the season for Minnesota, and after the UConn game, likely the most challenging.
Early impressions as U women's basketball enters a tough matchup
Plitzuweit has the team playing better defense, but depth could be a problem entering Saturday's game against Drake and beyond.
Grocholski scores career-high 26 as U women trounce Norfolk State
Grace Grocholski made nine of 14 shots overall and went 5-for-8 on three-pointers. The freshman had 17 points in the first half as Minnesota built an 18-point halftime lead.
Gophers women take on HBCU conference champion in Norfolk State
Kent Youngblood's analysis: Norfolk State, which is off to a 6-1 record, is a competitive mid-major team the Gophers can't afford to overlook.
Farmington's 'Soph the Goph' makes impact for U women after transfer
Sophie Hart's father sees her finding a rhythm with after not being able to play last season following her transfer from North Carolina State.
Big second-half run sparks Gophers women over Stony Brook
Sophie Hart and Mallory Heyer led the way as the Gophers responded after the Seawolves tied the score in the third quarter.
Gophers women's basketball vs. Stony Brook game preview: broadcast info and analysis
Kent Youngblood's analysis: The Seawolves are the first of three mid-major opponents expected to make the NCAA tournament.
Gophers women rebound from UConn loss with huge rout of Cal State-Northridge
The Minnesota women beat Cal State-Northridge 84-31 for the program's third-largest margin of victory.
U women look to get back on track vs. Cal State Northridge
Kent Youngblood's analysis: The Gophers were ice-cold shooting against UConn on Sunday, but this should be a chance to heat up.
Loss to UConn shows Gophers women 'we can hang with good teams'
The Gophers women's basketball team enters Wednesday's game against Cal State Northridge looking to build off a solid defensive showing against UConn.
Bueckers gets warm reception, leads UConn over cold-shooting Gophers
The crowd at Williams Arena, only the second one bigger than 10,000 since 2007, roared when Paige Bueckers was introduced. The former Hopkins superstar called the experience surreal.
Bueckers, Battle, Braun look forward to reunion at the Barn
Buzzing with homecoming energy, the Gophers-UConn game reunites longtime friends Paige Bueckers, Amaya Battle and Mara Braun and brings Bueckers back to Minnesota.
Bueckers, UConn enter Sunday's game vs. Gophers riding sky high
Kent Youngblood's analysis: Connecticut's blowout victory over Maryland on Thursday was another reminder of how difficult this test will be for Dawn Plitzuweit's Gophers.
Gophers women take charge early, avenge last year's loss to NDSU
Minnesota raced to a 21-5 start and cruised to victory over North Dakota State. Amaya Battle led the way with a career-high 20 points and nine assists.
Gophers women's basketball vs. NDSU game preview: Difficult test coming
Kent Youngblood's analysis: The Gophers lost to North Dakota State last year, so this game should have their full attention, even with UConn coming next.
U women's basketball gets glimpse of freshman center's raw potential
Freshman center Ayianna Johnson, who scored 19 points in Minnesota's 100-42 win over Chicago State, didn't follow the same path to college basketball as most of her teammates.
Braun dominates in leading U women to rout of Chicago State
Mara Braun scored 23 of her 25 points in the first half, sending Minnesota on its way to a 100-42 victory over Chicago State on Sunday.
Gophers women's basketball vs. Chicago State preview: Broadcast info, analysis
Kent Youngblood's analysis: The Gophers beat the Cougars 105-54 last season.
Wolves best Spurs 117-110 to open in-season tournament play
Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 29 and 28 points, respectively, and Minnesota recovered from a sloppy first quarter in San Antonio.
Feel-good night: Gophers women win by 35 in Plitzuweit's debut
Mara Braun scored 25 points, and Minnesota earned an easy 92-57 victory over Long Island University in Dawn Plitzuweit's debut as coach on a night of firsts.
U women's opener had a lot to like — except for one nagging problem
A 34-9 lead after a quarter and a 35-point win. Shooting 54% led by a core of returning players. But there was one nasty negative that stood out in the season opener against Long Island University.
Gophers make it official signing Tori McKinney and McKenna Johnson
Dawn Plitzuweit completed her first recruiting class as Gophers coach on Wednesday's national signing day.
Gophers women's basketball vs. Long Island game preview and analysis
Kent Youngblood's analysis: The Gophers can iron out the kinks against a Long Island University team that lost 81-44 to St. John's (N.Y.) on Monday.
Whole new game for U women's hoops as Plitzuweit debuts with full roster
Wednesday's opener against Long Island University will be Dawn Plitzuweit's debut and a chance for Nia Holloway and Sophie Hart to take the court after missing last season.
Gophers women's basketball team set to sign two recruits Wednesday
The national signing period opens Wednesday, and Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit is expected to sign both of the players who have committed.
Wolves continue strong play with 123-95 victory over Jazz
The Wolves, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, broke open a tie game with a 15-2 run in the third quarter. Towns finished with 25 points. Anthony Edwards had 31.
For U women's basketball, a new era arrives with Dawn Plitzuweit
Dawn Plitzuweit's attention to detail has helped her win at every level of college basketball. Now, she's looking to bring success to the Gophers, who have struggled through three straight losing seasons.
For U sophomore Mallory Heyer, a long to-do list has turned longer
The Gophers women's basketball team grew to depend on Heyer last season. New coach Dawn Plitzuweit is asking her for even more this season.
Bueckers and 19 more: Minnesotans to watch in women's basketball
Kent Youngblood has the list of top Minnesotans who left the state to star around the country in women's college basketball this season.
Collier on Lynx: 'I feel like this is my team now'
After working hard to return after giving birth, the former UConn standout emerged as one of the league's best players.
Battle wants to lead the Gophers — but first she had to fix her shot
Over hundreds of hours in the gym, and with some help from Rachel Banham and Mara Braun, the sophomore point guard rebuilt her shooting motion.
Gophers sophomore Mara Braun named to Cheryl Miller Award watch list
Mara Braun continues to gain recognition heading into her sophomore season for the Gophers.
Lynx forward Collier named first-team All-WNBA
This is the second time Napheesa Collier has been named All-WNBA, and the first time she's been named to the first team.
U women's basketball team builds rapport with new coach 'Dawny P.'
Gophers women's basketball sophomore Amaya Battle was quick to nickname new coach Dawn Plitzuweit. And the new coach has an interesting description of her team as well.
Big Ten basketball media days — women and men — descend on Target Center
Iowa star Caitlin Clark will be a focal point Monday along with new Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit. Men's coach Ben Johnson gets his turn Tuesday.
Gophers' Braun named to preseason all-Big Ten women's basketball team
Braun, a Wayzata native who led the Gophers in scoring last year as a freshman, was one of 11 players chosen to the preseason all-Big Ten team.
Game time, broadcast info set for Gophers women's basketball vs. UConn
Paige Bueckers and UConn will take on the Gophers on Nov. 19 at Williams Arena.
Lynx's Juhász, Miller make WNBA all-rookie team
Joining Dorka Juhász and Diamond Miller on the team was Aliyah Boston of Indiana, voted the league's top first-year player.
Timberwolves' Anderson back after scary eye injury
Forward Kyle Anderson spent some anxious moments during the offseason wondering if the injury was career-ending, but surgery was successful and he was able to play for China in the World Cup.
'There is no last year' as U women open practice under Plitzuweit
The first official practice for Gophers women's basketball got underway this week, with the team building on bonds established during a summer trip to Europe.
She's back, she's gone: A player-by-player look at the Lynx roster
Two of the team's three highest paid players will be back; the other is unhappy and headed out of town. Here's a player-by-player look at the current roster from basketball writer Kent Youngblood.
Collier can't get enough help as Lynx loss to Sun ends season
Napheesa Collier had a career night, but her Lynx teammates didn't provide enough in the 90-75 loss to the Sun in the deciding Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
Gophers women's basketball loses freshman to season-ending knee injury
Kennedy Klick had a standout prep career at DeLaSalle and Maple Grove and had a chance to be the Gophers' backup point guard this season.
Will depth be the difference when Lynx, Sun meet in deciding Game 3?
For the sixth-seeded Lynx to upset Connecticut, they'll need to repeat the formula that brought them a surprising victory on the road in Sunday's Game 2.
Odd playoff format gives Lynx chance to win playoff series at home
The Lynx became the first team in league history to lose a game by at least 30 points and win the next game of its playoff series. Will playing Game 3 at Target Center spark a series win that looked improbable?
Lynx bring playoff series home for deciding game with dramatic win
Napheesa Collier battled through an injury that sent her to the locker room and Kayla McBride hit six three-pointers as the Lynx stormed back from a 30-point loss to Connecticut in the series opener.
Lynx have nowhere to go but up facing must-win vs. Sun
The Sun dominated Game 1, and can advance with a victory at their home arena. "We are going to play better," Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve declared.
Gophers star Braun helps lead USA to first 3x3 women's basketball gold
Mara Braun was one of Team USA's leading scorers, as the squad won the FIBA 3x3 Nations League tournament Mongolia, beating China by one point for the title.
Lackluster Lynx routed 90-60 in Game 1 of WNBA playoffs vs. Sun
The Lynx, making their first WNBA playoff appearance since 2021, were dominated in a road loss to the Sun in Game 1 of a first-round series Wednesday.
Lynx's Collier, Miller and Juhász earn WNBA honors from AP
Ahead of the WNBA playoffs, the Lynx had three players nab season awards Tuesday from the Associated Press. Napheesa Collier shared her co-Comeback Player of the Year honor with Brittney Griner; Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász make All-Rookie team.
WNBA first-round playoff preview: How Lynx, Sun compare
Connecticut led the league in points allowed, giving up only 79.0 points per game. Minnesota allowed 85.0, which ranked 11th out of 12 teams.
Connecticut has edge in experience as Lynx start playoffs on road
Rookies Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász will be in the starting lineup for Minnesota, which has to win at least one game on the East Coast to get a home WNBA playoff game.
U women get commitment from Minnetonka standout McKinney
A 6-1 guard from Minnetonka, Tori McKinney was ranked as the No. 4 in-state recruit by Prep Girls Hoops and the highest-ranked player still available.
Gophers star Braun thrives off international 3x3 competition
Mara Braun is the sort who always needs to be doing something. And that's why the last few months have been so perfect. She's also seeing how playing 3x3 can help her game with the Gophers.
From 0-6 to playoffs, how Lynx stars Collier, McBride made that happen
The Lynx are the first WNBA team to reach the playoffs after such a poor start. All it took was the balanced personalities of fiery Kayla McBride and composed Napheesa Colliers.
'We have no clue.' Reeve rips Lynx after regular-season ending loss
A victory would have earned the Lynx the No. 5 seed in the WNBA playoffs, but they let the Fever finish on an 18-2 run. "It's a complete lack of focus and intentionality,'' coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Hot-shooting Sky send Lynx down WNBA standings
Friday night's 92-87 loss in Chicago dropped the Lynx from the fifth seed to sixth behind Atlanta, which owns the head-to-head tiebreaker vs. Minnesota.
Kayla McBride gets multiyear contract extension from Lynx
The veteran guard has helped the team to a WNBA playoff berth.
As Lynx head to playoffs, Collier 'proud' of rebound after rough start
The Lynx could finish anywhere from fourth to seventh in the WNBA with two games left to play.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier named WNBA Western Conference player of the week
It's the fourth time the All-Star has been a player of the week as she had three double-doubles for a team that clinched a playoff spot.
Lynx fall to 7th in WNBA playoff race, lose to fully healthy Mystics
Though the Lynx entered Tuesday's matchup with a slight edge in the standings, Washington's 83-72 victory jumped the Mystics from No. 6 to No. 5.
Lynx blown out at home by New York as Breanna Stewart scores 38 points
The Lynx lost for the 11th time at Target Center this season, the worst mark for a Cheryl Reeve-coached team.
Lynx rip officials, top Wings in rematch; climb to 5th place in WNBA
"We had to withstand a lot to hang on," coach Cheryl Reeve said after the Lynx pulled out a physical rematch against Dallas.
Lynx coach: Officials needed to be in better control Tuesday vs. Wings
Reeve said the officiating crew Tuesday night needed to be "more in tune with what's going on."
Dallas star rips 'disgusting fan base' after Lynx get revenge win
Three fans were ejected near the end of the game after Dallas star Satou Sabally was injured — and then subjected to taunts — near the end of the Lynx's 91-86 win. Coach Cheryl Reeve apologized to the Wings afterward.
Lynx fail to complete season sweep of Storm with decisive loss at home
The Lynx shot only 35.3% and had trouble protecting the ball against Seattle as they lost 88-74.
Collier needs to stay out of foul trouble for playoff-chasing Lynx
Napheesa Collier has battled foul trouble recently, and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve says the team's star player needs to be more aware of the officiating crew.
Plitzuweit sees growth, promise from Gophers women's basketball team
The roster is full of contradictions — youth and experience, returning starters and tons of new faces. The first-year head coach gives her early impressions of the team.
Lynx starting guard Lindsay Allen sidelined by broken thumb
The former Notre Dame standout is averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 assists per game, and her game had been on the upswing after a slow start.
Lynx outshoot Sky 88-79 behind Collier's 29 points and Shepard's 17
The Lynx took lead after lead only to have the Sky come back. But behind Collier's 29 points on 10-for-18 shooting the Lynx came through in the end.
Rachel Banham, Dorka Juhász return to Lynx practice
Both reserves could be available when the team visits Chicago on Tuesday.
Liberty top Lynx to spoil Collier's return, Whalen's celebration
New York took control of a nail biter in the fourth quarter, spoiling Napheesa Collier's return from a right ankle injury and a celebration of Lindsay Whalen at Target Center.
Lynx All-Star Collier practices as return nears
The team has upped its game without Olympian Napheesa Collier and had success, a positive as it tries to make the WNBA playoffs.
