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Can the Gophers pick up the biggest win of the Dawn Plitzuweit era?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s basketball team will try and keep their four game winning streak alive with a huge game at #10 Iowa on Thursday night. The Hawkeyes have dropped two games in a row on the west coast against both USC and UCLA and will be looking to get back in the win column against the Gophers. Tip off is set for 6 PM and the game will air on Big Ten Network.

Iowa Hawkeyes
Record: 18-4 (9—2)
NET Rank: 13

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 16-6 (7-4)
NET Rank: 10

KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN:

Play Elite Defense:

Minnesota has the best scoring defense in the Big Ten allowing just 54.8 points per game in conference play. Iowa averages nearly 80 points per game. The answer for this one is easy. If the Gophers can play elite defense and keep this game in the 60’s they have a really good chance to pull off the upset. Minnesota matches up decently well defensively with the Hawkeyes. Iowa has three players averaging in double figured led by 6’4 sophomore center Ava Heiden at 16.3 ppg. . Hannah Stuelke is averaging 14 points per game and Chadazi Wright is averaging 12.6 ppg. The one major advantage Iowa has is depth as they regularly play an 8-player rotation compared to Minnesota’s seven. Minnesota must shut down the inside-out game that Iowa wants to play with Heiden and the Hawkeye shooters who are 5th in the Big Ten at 36% from the three point arc. They have done a good job for most of the season at that.

Let Your Stars Shine:

This is a game if the Gophers want to win, their brightest stars need to be the best players on the court. Amaya Battle has been on fire as of late for the Gophers adding a third threat to Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney to score and facilitate. Sophie Hart will need to have a good game in the paint both shutting down Heiden and trying to get points of her own. Grocholski will need to be on from beyond the arc. Minnesota will need to shoot well from three—not necessarily the 50% they shot in their win over Purdue last Sunday but It may need to be close. If Iowa can shut down the Gophers stars, then it should be a fairly easy win for the Hawkeyes.

Do The Little Things:

You can say this for every game, but this one it is critical. Iowa turned the ball over 6 more times per game that then Gophers do. That needs to happen. Minnesota needs to protect the ball. Iowa averages about two more rebounds a game that the Gophers. Minnesota needs to win the battle on the boards and not give up second chance opportunities. Getting to the line will be key—and you won’t get any help from the refs at Carver Hawkeye Arena. Iowa and Minnesota are the two least fouling teams in the conference. Getting those calls and then making those free throws can easily be the difference in this game. Minnesota needs to try and jump out early and not let the crowd get involved. It can be an intimidating environment—especially when they are hosting a rival.

Prediction:

Minnesota is still looking for the biggest win of the Dawn Plitzuwiet era. Could it be tonight in Iowa City? If Minnesota plays as they have in the last few weeks, and they can catch Iowa still reeling from their first two conference losses of the season, they have a chance. They MUST protect the ball and figure out how to beat a full court press in a close environment—something that has cost them one game allready and nearly a second. I want to believe, but I think the Gophers come up just short. Iowa 73, Minnesota 68.