UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOPHERS WOMEN’S OPEN MAROON AND GOLD SHOWCASE

On Oct. 13, the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team held a Maroon and Gold Showcase. This was the first time that the media and fans got a chance to see the 2019-2020 Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball team in action. 

The team came out and was warming up as they would under normal game conditions. Then the whole basketball staff was introduced to the crowd including the practice squad and team managers. The practice squad was in their maroon practice gear and the women basketball team was in their gold practice gear. 

After the introductions, they put 20 minutes on the clock. The practice squad and the Gophers team then went to different ends of the court and started with layup drills and mid-range jump shots. 

After the warmup period, Lindsay Whalen talked to her players and then the team went up against the male practice players. There were officials and Whalen were instructing her players from the sideline. Then they put 10 minutes on the clock and the practice squad
 went up against the Gopher women’s team. 

After the first quarter, it was the Gophers 24, Practice Squad 17.

Destiny Pitts, the junior out of Detroit Michigan looked good. She came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. She was able to get her teammates in offense. 

The practice squad gave the Gophers troubles inside. 

There was a media timeout with 4:51 left in the second quarter. The score was Gophers 34, Practice Squad 29.  

Both teams continued to run plays and move the ball down the floor. They both ran plays on the offensive end. 

At halftime, the score was Gophers 41, Practice Squad 35. 

As the third quarter got underway the Gophers continued to push the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition. 

There was a media timeout with 4:44 left in the third quarter the score was Gophers 53, Practice Squad 46. 

The Gophers used a fast break to get down the floor and score baskets in transition.  

After three quarters the score was Gophers 58, Practice Squad 50. 

As the fourth quarter got underway the Gophers continued to push the ball down the court and looked for layups in transition. 

There was a media timeout with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter. The score was Practice Squad 63, Minnesota 62. 

Minnesota continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. 

There was a media timeout with 3:39 left in regulation. The score was Practice Squad 64, Minnesota 68. 

As the scrimmage ended both teams continued to attack the basket. 

The Practice Squad came away with the 75-67 victory over Minnesota. 

After the game Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen talked to the media about the open scrimmage and the outlook to the season. Also, Destiny Pitts, Jasmine Brunson, and Kadi Sissoko talked to the media about the scrimmage and the season. 

Overall, I am excited about this Gopher women’s basketball season. Last season the Gophers fished with an overall record of 21-11. They were 9-9 in the Big Ten Conference. They lost in the Second Round of the WNIT.