NBA Draft Lottery Coming on Wednesday Night

The NBA Draft 2012 is just a month away and we still don't know who will be drafting #1, #2, etc. We know, of course, who will be drafting #18 and that is the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold the Utah Jazz' pick as a result of the Jazz having snuck into the 2011 WNBA playoffs.

There's been vastly less excitement and interest in the Wolves draft pick to date, as compared to the past several years when the Wolves were truly horrible and therefore had several  top 5 picks that turned into Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams, and others. At #18, the Wolves are not going to get a blue-chipper or anything like that. Maybe a guy who can play a few minutes, but hey, they already got that at #2 last year. So maybe not even that.

But, whatever, you pick the best guy you can get and at #18 that looks like.... Just teasing. You've gotta go through a mock draft to know who they fan get at #18. And I'm not gonna go through a complete mock draft just yet.

But I will say this:

1. Anthony Davis, Kentucky, 6-10, C-PF. No matter who has the 1st pick is gonna pick Davis, who is head and shoulders ahead of everybody else in what may be a weak draft (after him). I mean, how many guys can go 1-for-10 from the field and still be far and away the best player on the court, as Davis did in the NCAA final? 6 points, 16 boards, 5 assists, 6 blocks, 3 steals.

The rest of the top 5 is entirely dependent on who's doing the drafting, however. If the lottery goes according to the standings you'd have Charlotte at #1, followed by Washington, Cleveland, New Orleans and Sacramento, but that's not going to happen. One almost hopes for Mr. Davis' sake that Charlotte, the most dysfunctional NBA franchise in history, drops out of #1, but then you'd be wishing Charlotte on somebody else and who could do such a thing?

In any event, the top 6 candidates regardless of order are as follows. It will be a surprise if these are not the top 6 picks.

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, SF. Started his college career as the #1 guy in his class, has slipped to #5 or #6. "Barnes' tourney performance didn't do him any favors, as his inability to create shots for himself (without Marshall) was exposed, but ... his high basketball IQ and strong character make him a GM's wet dream, and a potential cornerstone at the small forward position for all of his suitors." Comp is Glen Rice.


Bradley Beal, Florida State, 6-4, SG. "More than just a spot-up threat, Beal can change directions, pull back and shoot off the dribble. As a ballhandler, he sees the open space whether it's splitting a double team or spinning away from his defender. He's also an excellent passer for a 2-guard." Comp is Eric Gordon. 


Davis. "Davis has an almost unfair comb inaction of length, reflexes and intensity. He should become a defensive enforcer at the NBA level and if he can bulk up and develop a post game, the sky is the limit." This Web site goes on to compare him to Kevin Garnett. 'Nuff sed.

Andre Drummond, Connecticut, 6-10, PF. "Drummond had an up-and-down season and is considered by some as a possible bust. He stands a great chance to get a GM fired whether it be for selecting him too high, or not taking him. An absolute physical specimen with incredible mobility and athleticism for a player his size. Unfortunately his motor runs hot and cold, and his body language is not great...." The chomp is Amare Stoudamire.


Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky, 6-7, SF. "A strong 6-foot-7 forward with substantial length (7-foot wingspan) and athleticism, Gilchrist projects as a shutdown defender at the 3 position. He may not be your most adept shot-creator, but ...MKG proved all year that he never takes a play off." Gerald Wallace is the comp.

Thomas Robinson, Kansas, 6-9, PF. "Showing the ability to consistently knock down mid-range jumpshots, as well as get to the rim off the dribble, elevated his stock to possibly being the second overall pick." Then comes the caution, however. The Web site that said this then said he compares to Derrick 

Williams. So he'll need some time to become a contributor at the NBA level. 

If the lottery went in order (Charlotte, Washington, Cleveland, New Orleans, Sacramento) the picks would probably be Davis to Charlotte, Robinson or Kidd-Gilchrist to Washington, Kidd-Gilchrist or Beal to Cleveland, Robinson or Drummond to New Orleans, Barnes to Sacramento. (Kidd-Gilchrist is gone at #3 if not #2, Robinson is gone at #4 if not #2, which means that #6 (Portland) would be Beal or Drummond, whichever remains, but Portland would vastly prefer Beal to be available.)


Full mock draft to come. 

A Look Back at the 2012s

I've probably forgotten a few who should be on the list.

1. Marissa Janning, Watertown-Mayer, point guard. Creighton-bound. Rated #1 in her class back in 8th and 9th grade. Gave way to Johnson, then Cichy, then some others over time. But nobody much objected when she was named Ms. Basketball and PoY by various services. A really really sweet player.

2. Jackie Johnson, Eden Prairie, post. Minnesota Gopher recruit. The best inside player among the 2012s. Plays hard, finishes. It will be interesting to see how far she can play away from the basket in the Big 10 because she's undersized in the middle at the next level.

3. Sydney Coffey, Hopkins, wing-guard. Going to Marist. Became a great shooter, can get to the rim, too. And she is an excellent defender, to boot.

4. Shayne Mullaney, Eden Prairie, point guard. Another Gopher recruit from EP. It will be interesting to compare her progress at the next level with Janning's. I've always been a big Mullaney supporter. She is very creative, a great scorer, has great court sense. But was she really the guard that Borton wanted, or will Janning be a more productive collegian?

5. Whitney Tinjum, Chisago Lakes, forward. Washington State recruit. Skilled and 6-2, too. Great scorer in high school, at least.

6. Alexis Foley, White Bear Lake, guard. Going to Illinois State. Another glue-type player, made her teammates better. Great on both ends of the court.

7. Katybeth Biewen, Edina, point guard. Another hard-nosed, creative 1 with the ability to score or pass. Great floor leader, great glue-type player.

8. Marissa Grossfeld, Wayzata, forward. Under-rated. Teammate Kayla Timmerman is Iowa-bound, Grossfeld going to Illinois-Chicago. But it was Grossfeld who did the dirty work every single night and never took a night off. Did it all.

9. Kali Peschel, Sauk Centre, small forward-wing-off guard. Rated as high as #2 by some, but injured as a senior and dropped down my list. Has every opportunity to re-establish herself as an Iowa Hawkeye. I wonder what position she will play. Probably off guard, but she's not a great ball-handler nor big enough to play inside.

10. Brittney Scherber, Bloomington Jefferson, point guard. Ditto what I said about Biewen. Ball-handling, scoring, glue, outstanding all-around guard.

11. Kadidjah Shumpert, Benilde-St. Margaret's, big forward. Solid, athletic.

12. Tessa Cichy, Hill-Murray, combo guard. Dropped all the way from #1-#2. Had a spectacular summer after her sophomore year and moved way way up, and once scored 51 points in a game. But she also had 2 widely noted melt-downs in 2 state tournaments. Ended up at Wisconsin, some say as a walk-on. Still, has a chance to re-establish herself in the Big 10.

13. Mikayla Bailey, Osseo, combo guard. Great defender, hot and cold as an offensive threat. Seems to be a reach by Pam Borton to make her a Minnesota Gopher. But, hey, a chance to re-establish herself against the best in college ball.

14. Anne Marie Healy, Providence, forward. Solid, a cog for Ray Finley's machine, but a really solid all-around cog.

15. Mia Loyd, DeLaSalle, forward. Missed much of her junior year with a knee, but came on strong down the stretch as a senior.

16. Kayla Timmerman, Wayzata, post-big forward. Good size but prefers to play away from the basket where she lacks quickness but has a solid 3 point shot. Iowa-bound.

17. Mariah Adanane, DeLaSalle, off guard. Great scorer inside and out. Suffered a skull fracture as a senior and, amazingly, came back to play some solid minutes in the post-season. But she was still hurting and the injury could be a problem in the future.

18. Whitney Olson, Cambridge-Isanti, shooting guard. Good scoring threat.

19. Mariah Monke, Fergus Falls, post-big forward. 6-2, mobile, nice shooting touch. Is she strong enough to play inside in college? How far from the basket can she be effective?

20. Olivia Antilla, Osseo, big forward. Not that big, not that quick, but knows how to use her body and knows how to play the game.

21. Anna Rynda, New Prague, small forward. Blossomed as a senior.

22. Kionda Nicks, St. Paul Humbold, forward. Also a late bloomer.

23. Mattie Lueck, Pequot Lakes, forward. Great scorer, fundamentally sound, will tear up the MIAC at St. Ben's.

24. Emily Spier, Buffalo, big forward. A solid inside presence.

25. Riley Nordgaard, Canby, combo guard. A do-it-all in high school but may be over her head at Augustana.

26. Katy Kuiper, St. Peter, forward.
27. Richelle Mehus, Spring Grove, shooting guard. Exploded in the post-season, great scorer.
28. Alicia Retterath, Hutchinson, point guard.
29. Josie Dillon, Benilde-St. Margaret's, small forward-off guard. Fundamentally sound.
30. Lexi Long, Maranatha, point guard. Great point with uncanny court sense and decision-making.

31. Abbey Whitney, Sartell-St. Stephen, post. You can't teach 6-5.
32. Ellie Zeller, St. Anthony, point guard. Small, but fundamentally sound and creative, too.
33. Whitney Weisz, Little Falls, forward.
34. Kendra Schmidgall, Hancock, forward. Great all-around player. Does it all.
35. Lauren Trumm, Alexandria, guard.

36. Sarah Durand, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, post-big forward.
37. Heather Bachmann, Bloomington Kennedy, post.
38. Ashley Hinsch, Zumbrota-Mazeppa, point guard. A better soccer bopper.
39. Nicole Wittman, Hutchinson, forward.
40. Mackenzie Hoelmann, Lakeville North, post.

41. Jessy Noreen, Hawley, guard.
42. Christine Thorn, St. Michael-Albertville, guard.
43. Kelsey Sorenson-Giffrow, Braham, shooting guard. Excellent long-range shooter.
44. Gracia Hutson, Hopkins, post.
45. Erika Tipcke, Goodhue, forward.

46. Haley Guetter, Sartell-St. Stephen, guard.
47. Hannah Schonhardt, Holy Family, guard.
48. Morgan Julius, Hutchinson, forward.
49. Alicia Boe, Sebeka, guard.
50. Taylor Kujava, Ada-Broup, small forward-off guard.

51. Courtney Hulstein, Fulda, guard.
52. Sophie Jaskulske, North St. Paul, post-big forward.
53. Katrina Moenkedick, Perham, forward.
54. Lindsay Lahr, Isle, guard.
55. Megan DeRuyter, Southwest MN Christian, forward.

56. Katie Myhre, Barnum, small forward-off guard.
57. Heather Strese, Brandon-Evansville, big forward.
58. Alex Freeman, Duluth East, forward.
59. Whitney Burmeister, Jackson County Central, shooting guard.
60. Amie Tunheim, Orono, point guard.

61. Savanna Handevidt, Stillwater, post-big forward.
62. Angie Guenther, White Bear Lake, post-big forward. Scored 4-5 ppg, but a great defender.
63. Jesse Hart, Eagan, guard.
64. Megan Van Hulzen, Park Center, forward.
65. Tara Roelofs, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial, guard.

66. Claire Van Dyke, Hill-Murray, forward.
67. Lauren Ulsh, Rochester Mayo, post-big forward.
68. Lindsay Johnson, Edina, forward.

69. Mariah McDonald, Ely, guard.

70. Sarah McCann, Owatonna, guard.

71. Ashley Deschampe, Cook County, guard.
72. Michaela Cassavan, Red Lake County Central, guard.
73. Courtney Pahl, Pine Island, guard.
74. Mackenzie Gerber, Worthington, forward.
75. Molly Simpkins, Prior Lake, guard. Was top 30 until knee trouble.

76. Gabby Stienstra, Minnehaha, forward.
77. Micaela Trainor, Winona, post.
78. Jessica Lillquist, Sebeka, forward.
79. Katie Nordick, Providence, forward. A serious oversight, her not making all-state tournament.

80. Alyssa Eschrich, Prior Lake, forward.

81. Gabby Zehrer, Totino-Grace, guard.

82. Anna Schlaak, NRHEG, forward.
83. Marissa Toivonen, Red Wing, post-big forward.

84. Kelsey Hennen, Minneota, guard.

85. Tayor Elton, Spring Grove, guard.

86. Dakotah Winans, Mountain Iron-Buhl, point guard. Did it all for MIB.

87. Lauren Deadrick, Waconia, guard.
88. Taylor Meyer, Farmington.

89. Sydney Schultz, Fergus Falls, guard.

90 (tie). Bryann Guyton, Richfield, forward
     Hannah Wise, Richfield, guard.

92. Shelby Auseth, Kenyon-Wanamingo, guard.
93, Paige Palkovich, Eastview, guard.
94. Megan Coomes, Isle, guard.
95. Kelsey Chambers, Jordan, guard.

96. Karina Schroeder, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial, post.
97. Alexa Thielmann, Buffalo, guard.
98. Jenna Orth, Melrose, guard.
99. Heather Lehner, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, guard.
100. Gretchen Linzmaier, Pine City, post.

Under Consideration for Top 100

Michelle Savegeau, North St. Paul, guard.

Zoe Hanson, Chisago Lakes, guard. Playing with Tinjum, unfortunately, she never learned to look for her own shot.

Tegan Molden, MACCRAY, forward.

Kayli Muckenhirn, Detroit Lakes, forward.

No Test This Time (Lynx 84 Seattle 71)

Ho hum. The Lynx made it 4-0 with an easy 84-71 win over Seattle. And in doing so, showed another way to win.

So far this year, in 3 games, they've absolutely shot out the lights from 2-point range. Let the other guy hit a few 3s, we're just gonna make 57-58 percent from 2 point range, and you can't keep up with 3s.

Well, this time the Lynx shot 8-of-14 from 3-point range--5-of-7 by Mya Moore--while making a measly 41.5 percent of their 2-point efforts, But they also held the Storm to 38 percent shooting and a pathetic 34 percent on 2-pointers.

With some easy early wins, the Lynx are finding plenty of minutes even though their going 11-deep with their regular rotation. At the same time, that means that a lot of different combinations are seeing game time together. All of which bodes well for the longer term. Yesterday the minutes looked like this:

C- Taj 24 Adair 16
PF- Brunson 19 Harris 10 Peters 10 Adair 1
SF- Moore 28 Wright 11 Peters 1
PG- Whalen 25 Wiggins 11 Thorn 4
SG- Augustus 23 Wiggins 9 Wright 8

Wright is most improved. Peters is more ready than anticipated. Thorn has been unable to dislodge Wiggins as the top back-up at the point. Otherwise the minutes are about what you'd expect, except that the starters simply haven't been needed as much as they usually are. That of course is because the starters are playing so frighteningly (for the opposition) well. Augustus is the MVP so far, Taj the most amazing, Moore the superstar in waiting, Brunson just incredibly strong, and Whalen the crafty veteran. Everybody has the ability to step up and on any given night, somebody does. This team is very likely to keep its losses in the single digits this year.

L.A. Sparks Test Lynx, but Lynx Win 92-84

After a pair of 20-point wins to open the 2012-2013 season, the defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx were pushed and hard by the Los Angeles Sparks before dominating the 4th quarter 26-14 for a 92-84 win.

The Lynx trailed 61-52 and 63-54 in the 3rd quarter when the rally began. Seimone Augustus scored 3 buckets in the final 4 minutes of the 3rd, while rookie Devereux Peters added a pair including a layup on a Seimone assist at 4 seconds to get the Lynx within 70-66.

Rebekkah Brunson scored 5 points in the 1st 2 minutes and change of the 4th period, and the Lynx led for the 1st time since 40-39. The lead then changed hands several times through 82-82 at 2;47 when Candace Wiggins and Seimone hit a pair of 3-pointers for an 88-82 Minnesota lead. Lindsay Whalen closed out the scoring for the Lynx with 4 FT.

The Lynx had had an awesome 1st quarter, starting out 7-0 and then breaking away from a 17-all tie. 5 different Lynx scored to make it 30-19 at the quarter break. L.A. roared back with a 28-14 2nd quarter edge as Candace Parker used her quickness to get open for a variety of layups and 10 2nd quarter points in all.

Parker and rookie Nneka Ogwumike gave the Sparks a big inside scoring edge with 43 total points between them. Lynx guards Augustus, Whalen, Wiggins and Monica Wright combined for 52 points on 20-of-37 shots to lead Minnesota. The Lynx shot 30-of-53 2-point FG (58 percent), and also won the possession game with +5 offensive boards and -1 turnover.

L.A. seemed at times to dominate inside but in the end the Lynx won the rebounding battle 30-27. Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 8, and Brunson and Mya Moore 7 each. Taj also led the Lynx with 4 assists and 2 blocked shots.

L.A. had had the Lynx on their heels for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but the Lynx won, first, because they battled, they played hard every possession down the stretch. Secondly, they play wonderfully as a unit. Everybody is in constant motion, with and without the ball, and everybody plays defense like they mean it.

This game showed that the Lynx--or, more to the point, their fans--ought not to be thinking seriously about an undefeated season. Yet this was a game the Lynx certainly could have and probably should have lost. That they managed a W after trailing by 9 in the late going only solidifies their status as WNBA favorites.

Three Stars: Candace Parker 23 points 6 rebounds; Seimone Augustus 25 points; Kristi Tolliver 23 points 4 assists

Lynx Unbeatable So Far with L.A. Sparks Coming to Town Thursday

The Lynx are at it again. They've started the 2012 season right were they left off in 2011, with 2 more wins--no, make that, easy wins. The Phoenix Mercury were the 1st victim in a 105-83 route. I should say that defending WNBA scoring leader Diana Taurasi was out the other night (and will remain out for awhile), sob eating the Mercury was probably never in doubt.

Then it was the New York Liberty, that is to say the "winless New York Liberty," as the WNBA's game report says. Again, it was pretty easy at 80-62.

So while the Lynx haven't yet been tested, you could say that they've won with a couple of different styles of play. Uptempo (86 possessions) vs. Phoenix, not so much (70 possessions) vs. NYC. What is a little surprising is that the Lynx have not been winning the possession game so far with 156 in 2 games to their opponents 164. The Lynx have 20 offensive boards, the other guys have 25. And the Lynx have 29 turnovers, same as the opposition.

But what the Lynx have by way of advantage, they have in spades, and that is the simply ability to put the ball in the hole. And I don't mean from 3-point range where the Lynx are 7-of-18 while Phoenix and NY have made 17 shots.

I mean from good old-fashioned 2-point range. The Lynx have made a phenomenal 69-of-121 2-pointers for 57 percent. They have outscored the other guy with 69 2-pointers to just 38 (38-for-102 or 37 percent).

Seimone Augustus tied for the WNBA's pre-season MVP in the coach's poll, and has come out accordingly. I mean, she is smokin' with 41 points and 10 boards in the 2 games. May Moore has 28 points, 9 boards and 11 assists. Rebekah Brunson 26 points, 17 boards and 5 blocks. Monica Wright has added 23 points off the bench. Lindsay Whalen and Taj have k17 and 15 points, and Taj has added 15 boards and 7 assists. Candace Wiggins has 14 points off the bench.

No wonder 10 of 12 WNBA coaches picked the Lynx to repeat as WNBA champion.

So, will Thursday night's contest against the L.A. Sparks be a better test for our local juggernaut? The Sparks feature another (along with Seimone) of the WNBA's top performers in Candace Parker, who scored 21 points with 10 boards and 4 assists in the Sparks' opener last night. And guards Alana Beard and Kristi Tolliver are a seasoned duo who scored 31 points with 12 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals between them last night. And L.A. easily won the possession game against the declining Seattle Storm, and will give the Lynx a battle on that score.

But L.A. shot just 28-for-64 last night and just 20-for-44 (45 percent) on 2s. The Lynx should be able to show L.A. a thing or two about the good old-fashioned 2-point game. Moore and Brunson match up especially well against the Sparks' forwards and may be poised for big games.

So, no. Tested? The Lynx will have to be tested another night. I will be there Thursday and will let you know what I see.

North Tartan Takes 4 of 7 State AAU Titles

North Tartan took 4 of 7 state girls AAU titles, including the featured 2013 title for seniors-to-be, Sunday at Bloomington Kennedy High School.

2013

Among the 2013s #1 seed North Tartan Nike Elite (Coury) defeated #3 MN Stars (Borowicz) 60-56. Tartan had defeated MN Fury 2013 Blue (Cerisier) 60-51 in one semi, while the Stars knocked off Tartan's second 2013 squad NT 16U (Olsen). Olsen had upset #2 seed Metro Stars Black (Amos) 34-33 in a quarter-final game. This was the only bracket in which a top 4 seed did NOT advance to the semis.

In the final, Tyseanna Johnson led with 17 points while Tesha Buck added 14 for Tartan. Phyllis Webb scored 16 and Allina Starr 12 for MN Stars.

2016

It was a tough weekend for the #2 seeds. Only 1 of them, MN Stars (Martin) (2016), made it to the finals. But once there, Martin defeated #1 MN Fury 2016 Blue (Sinn) easily at 40-19. Fury had defeated Crossfire, and Stars Martin had knocked off North Tartan 13U in the semi, as all 4 of the seeds had advanced that far.

Jasmyn Martin was the only MN Star in double figures in the final with 10, while Taylor Koenen did the same for Fury.

2014

All of the other #2s lost in the semi-finals to the #3 seeds in the various classes. One of the #3s was also successful in winning a state title. That was MN Stars (Taylor), who upset #1 North Tartan Alexander 57-53. Taylor upset #2 Metro Stars 15U, while Tartan beat MN Fury 2014 Blue in the semis featuring all 4 of the seeds.

Sydney Lamberty and Carlie Wagner led the Stars in the final with 16 points. Tonoia Wade and Cayla McMorris scored 11 and Micaela Noga 10 for Tartan.

2015

The other 3 classes, 2015, 2017 and 2018, were won by Tartan squads. At 2015 it was #1 North Tartan (Herbrechtsmayer) over #3 Metro Stars 14U Black (Weise) 36-35 in OT. Tartan defeated MN Fury 2015 Blue while Metro Stars upset #2 MN Stars (Antl) in the semis.

In the final, Maddie Guebert (Eastview) led all scorers with 16, while Olivia Hass had 12 for Tartan.

2017-2018-2019

Among the 2017s, North Tartan (Kuppe) defeated #3 MN Stars (Johnson) 34-32. Tartan head defeated #4 Fury 2017 Gold in 1 semi, and Stars Johnson beat MN Fury 20178 Blue in the other. Alison Gerald led Kuppe with 9 points, while Raennah Johnson scored 12 for the Stars.

And at 2018, it was #1 North Tartan West Theisen 46 #3 FM Fusion 30. Tartan beat MN Suns (Long) while Fusion beat #2 seeded NC Heat in the semis. Marie Olson led Tartan with 14 points.

MN Thunder (Bueckers) (2019) defeated MN Stars (Nelson) 42029 in the final. McKenna Hofschild scored 16 points and Paige Bueckers 13 for the winners.

Gopher Women Sign Their 1st 2013

The Minnesota Gopher women and coach Pam Borton have finally signed a player from the mighty 2013s, generally regarded as among the best classes that the Gopher state has ever produced. No, it's not #1 (mine) Nia Coffey or #1 (HoopGurlz') Rebekah Dahlman or my #2 Tyseanna Johnson.

It's Joanna Hedstrom, formerly of Minnetonka and rumored to be playing for the Hopkins Royals this fall. Now, I will admit to having Hedstrom rated as the #16 player in the 2013s, and the #11  guard after Coffey, Dahlman, Allina Starr, Jessica January, Phyllis Webb, MC McGrory, Taylor Anderson, Leah Szabla, Jacqie Poss and Aimee Pelzer.

Obviously I am wrong.

But am I wrong in scratching my head a bit about the signing of Hedstrom after the signings of the following:

2011--Rachel Banham
2012--Shayne Mullaney and Mikayla Bailey
2014--Kenisha Bell and Grace Coughlin, plus Carlie Wagner is reported to have a scholarship offer.

And now:

2013--Joanna Hedstrom, and we still hope like hell that Rebekah Dahlman will be signing up soon.  If so, here is the Gopher roster at the guard spot in 2014-2015:

Senior--Banham
Junior--Mullaney and Bailey
Soph--Hedstrom and Dahlman
Frosh--Bell and Coughlin (but if Dahlman signs then probably no Wagner, or vice versa, one would hope)

So with either Dahlman or Wagner but not both, that's 7 guards in 2014-2015. That seems like a lot. Or if neither signs, still there are already 6. And to think a few short years ago we had to bring in a pair of JC transfers just to fill up the guard spot to where they could play for 40 minutes!

The question now is who's gonna play in the front court after Loberg and Dvorak and Kellogg are gone. Granted Kayla Hirt and Amanda Zahui and Jackie Johnson will all just be juniors, but that leaves no depth at all. So surely the next Gopher announcement will be a front court player, no? Unless it's Dahlman or Wagner.

Personally my hope would be for an announcement that Tyseanna Johnson (2013) and Cayla McMorris (2014) might be the next Gophers.