The player

Rachel Banham is a senior and as critical as ever to this squad. Last year she led the Big Ten in scoring. This year she could surpass Lindsay Whalen's career scoring record at Minnesota. But personal achievements aren't enough for the guard this year: She has her eyes set on the NCAA tournament.

The games

The Gophers will get an early test when they head to Fort Myers, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Showcase on Thanksgiving weekend. If they win their first-round game against sturdy Vanderbilt, they could face two-time defending national champion Connecticut, ranked No. 1 in ESPN's preseason poll, in the second round.

The style

Get ready for a big change at Williams Arena, with Marlene Stollings bringing in a style different from that of former coach Pam Borton. Expect to see a fast, offense-oriented game with plenty of shots coming from the perimeter.

Amelia Rayno