The Gophers Women's Basketball team is getting set for a home game in the NCAA Tournament opener Friday against Wisconsin-Green Bay, a return to the "Big Dance" for the University of Minnesota for the first time since 2018.
"Each year we've made little, little strides like in the WNIT and then won the WBIT," guard Amaya Battle says. "So just continue to build off that with experience. But I think it means a lot to show that we finally made it to where we wanted to be."
And having at least one home game is huge for the team, say center Sophie Hart and forward Grace Grocholski.
"I think we've almost sold out of our tickets, but it's just been, you know, we've been getting texts, 'we're coming to the game, 'so and so wants a ticket, can we get an extra ticket?,' says Hart. "And so it's been a lot of fun."
"It's a great perk for us. It's nice to give the seniors another chance to play at home," adds Grocholski.
The first round opponent for the 4th seeded Gophers is 13th seeded Wisconsin-Green Bay. Guard Brynn Senden says the Phoenix are a very good team, but Minnesota will be ready for them.
"They're a very good team. They're a very good team," Senden reiterates. "And I feel like we know what we're gonna do, and our coaches have done a really good job of preparing us even just in the few days we've had. But we are gonna stick to our game plan and we know what we need to do."
Tip off at Williams Arena is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the second game of the day. Gonzaga and Ole Miss play the first game with the winners meeting Sunday at Williams Arena for a chance to pay in the Sweet Sixteen in Sacramento.
Green Bay Phoenix (25-8, 20-3 Horizon) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (22-8, 13-6 Big Ten)
Minneapolis; Friday, 5 p.m. Local Time
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Gophers -22.5; over/under is 123.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 18 Minnesota plays in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Green Bay.
The Golden Gophers' record in Big Ten play is 13-6, and their record is 9-2 in non-conference games. Minnesota is 1-1 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Phoenix are 20-3 against Horizon teams. Green Bay is sixth in the Horizon with 31.2 rebounds per game led by Jenna Guyer averaging 6.3.
Minnesota makes 45.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 7.8 percentage points higher than Green Bay has allowed to its opponents (37.2%). Green Bay averages 6.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 fewer makes per game than Minnesota allows.
TOP PERFORMERS: Amaya Battle is averaging 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Golden Gophers. Mara Braun is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Guyer is averaging 15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Phoenix. Kristina Ouimette is averaging 1.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Gophers: 8-2, averaging 76.4 points, 34.8 rebounds, 16.9 assists, 8.0 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.4 points per game.
Phoenix: 7-3, averaging 69.6 points, 33.0 rebounds, 17.4 assists, 6.4 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 61.2 points.
