University of Minnesota Athletics
The 2002-03 Season in Review
4/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
So very much can be said about the Golden Gophers? 2002-03 season but one of the most meaningful descriptions of the year was that this was season that the Minnesota women's basketball team lived up to expectations. And very high expectations at that.
The Gophers entered the season with new head coach Pam Borton at the helm, a new defensive philosophy and a No. 15 national ranking. Minnesota was picked to contend for a Big Ten championship. After the great turnaround season of 2001-02 and just the second trip to the NCAA Tournament, it was with great anticipation that this year's squad took the floor.
Strength of schedule was not a forte of Minnesota's nonconference slate but the Gophers took care of business to the tune of a perfect 11-0 record entering the conference season. Along the way, Minnesota captured tournament titles in its own Subway Classic and the Air Force Tournament. On Dec. 30, Minnesota was rewarded with its first top 10 national ranking, sitting at No. 10 in the Associated Press poll.
The Gophers added to the best start in school history with a dominating win (98-70) in the Big Ten opener against Michigan. The best start in the school history went into the record books at 12-0.
Minnesota moved up to No. 9 in the AP poll on Jan. 6, the highest ranking in school history, but the excitement was short-lived. Penn State ended the Gophers? season-opening winning streak on the very same day.
The Gophers returned home for three straight games in Williams Arena. Wins over Illinois and Iowa proceeded the a huge contest against Purdue. In front of a Williams Arena record crowd of 13,117, the Gophers defeated the No. 9 Boilermakers, 90-75.
The next two weeks proved to be the most difficult of the season. The Gophers suffered consecutive road losses to Michigan State, Illinois and Ohio State. Suddenly, Minnesota was 0-4 on the road in the Big Ten and labeled as a team that couldn?t win away from Williams Arena.
Games at Indiana and Northwestern were next on the schedule and, as it would turn out,, would be looked upon as turning points of the season. The 59-56 win at Indiana saw the Gophers battle foul trouble, yet hang on to win their first conference road game. Lindsay Whalen took over the game in the final minutes and scored the last nine Gopher points.
While the Indiana game may have taken the monkey off the Gophers? back, it was the Northwestern game that provided a defining moment.
Playing without Janel McCarville (concussion), the Gophers struggled mightily. Northwestern made several long three-pointers and gained confidence with each possession. With 15:30 left in the game, the Wildcats had just taken their largest lead at 50-32. The ending of this game was an indication of things to come for the Gophers. This Minnesota squad came to understand the importance of defense.
Minnesota held Northwestern scoreless over the next eight minutes and in turn went on an 18-0 run to knot the score at 50. The Gophers secured the win on a pair of Corrin Von Wald free throws with 13 seconds left, the last of her career-high 27 points. Minnesota won 64-61.
The wins at Indiana and Northwestern began a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season. A big home win over Penn State on national television highlighted the stretch.
Minnesota matched its second-place Big Ten finish from a year ago, but did so with its best conference record ever at 12-4. The Gophers shared second place with Purdue, one game behind champion Penn State.
The Big Ten Tournament proved to be a bump in the road as the Gophers suffered a disappointing loss to Iowa in the quarterfinals. Conquering the conference tournament ghosts will have to wait another season.
Despite the loss, the Gophers entered the NCAA Tournament with fire and enthusiasm. Minnesota received a No. 6 seed in the West Region, the region deemed by experts as a brutal trek to the Final Four.
Minnesota traveled to Stanford, Calif., and faced Tulane in the first round. The Gopher defense was stifling as Minnesota posted a 68-48 victory over the Green Wave.
If the Northwestern game was a defining moment to the season, the Stanford game will be the one Gopher fans will remember the most from the 2002-03 season. Minnesota upset No. 3-seeded Stanford, 68-56, and handed the Cardinal their first home defeat in 26 games. The Gophers were on their way to the Sweet 16.
A return trip to Stanford was in order for the West Regional. Minnesota gave Final Four-bound Texas quite a battle but fell to the Longhorns, 73-60. The Golden Gophers ended their finest season in the NCAA era with a 25 -6 record.
The Final Numbers
Minnesota completed its finest season in the NCAA era, posting a 25-6 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. The Gophers also recorded its best mark in Big Ten play at 12-4, good for a second-place tie in the team standings.
ESPN Televised All 63 Games
ESPN/ESPN2 televised all 63 games of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time in tournament history. Minnesota completed the season with a 7-2 mark in televised games.
Minnesota History in the NCAAs
Minnesota made its third trip to the Big Dance and in back-to-back seasons for the first time. This was Minnesota's first trip to the Sweet 16 after wins over Tulane and Stanford. The sixth-seeded Gophers were defeated by second-seed Texas in the West Regional semifinal. The Golden Gophers have a 4-3 mark in NCAA Tournament play. In Minnesota's two previous trips to the NCAAs, the Gophers advanced to the second round in 1994 and 2002. In 1994, the Golden Gophers entered the tournament with a 17-10 record, earning the No. 10 seed in the East Region. Minnesota upset No. 7-seed Notre Dame, 81-76, in South Bend, Ind., but lost to No. 2-seed Vanderbilt, 98-72, in Nashville in the second round. Former Gopher great Carol Ann Shudlick, the 1994 Big Ten Player of the Year, was the force behind Minnesota's first team to capture an NCAA invitation. Last season, Minnesota earned the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region and entered the tournament at 21-7. The Gophers defeated UNLV, 71-54, in the first round, then lost to host North Carolina, 72-69, in the second round.
Six Big Ten Teams in NCAAs
For the second straight year, the Big Ten Conference was represented by six teams in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, matching the Conference record set previously in 1996 and 2002. The Southeastern Conference and the Big East Conference had the most teams in the 2003 field with seven a piece, followed by the Big Ten with six. Purdue earned the Big Ten's automatic bid and was joined by Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State in the NCAA field.
Gophers No. 17 and 13 in Final Polls
The Golden Gophers are ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll of the season, dated March 17 and prior to the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota was ranked No. 9, its highest ranking ever, in the Jan. 6 poll. The Gophers are listed at No. 13 in the USA Today/ESPN Poll, dated April 14.
Streak of National Ranking Rolls On
Minnesota has been ranked in the AP National Poll's top 25 for the last 27 polls, dating back to Jan. 21, 2002, easily the longest streak in Golden Gopher history.
25 Wins is the Best in NCAA Era
Minnesota posted 25 wins, the program's most during the NCAA era (Minnesota played its first NCAA schedule in 1982-83), bettering last year's total of 22 victories. The most wins in the 29-year history of Minnesota women's basketball was 28 victories in 1980-81, when the governing body for women's sports was the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women).
Back-to-Back in the Books
Minnesota recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in school history with this season's 25-6 mark and a 22-8 record in 2001-02. Twenty-win seasons are not plentiful in Minnesota history. The 2002-03 season marked just the fifth 20-win season for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota 20-win seasons: 2002-03 (25-6); 2001-02 (22-8); 1982-83 (20-7); 1980-81 (28-7 AIAW); 1977-78 (24-20 AIAW).
Whalen Captures Several All-America Accolades
After a team enjoys its most successful season in school history, individual accolades often follow. Such is the case with Minnesota and its junior guard Lindsay Whalen (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson). Whalen was selected to three All-America teams following a stellar 2002-03 campaign.
The highest honor Whalen received was Kodak/WBCA All-America honors. She was an honorable mention Kodak All-America as a sophomore. Whalen and former Gopher great Carol Ann Shudlick (1994) are the only Gophers to earn Kodak first-team honors.
Whalen was named to the Associated Press All-America Second Team and was a repeat honoree on the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-America Team. Last season, Whalen was accorded third-team honors by AP.
Whalen led the Golden Gophers in scoring (20.6 ppg.) and assists (6.2 apg.) as Minnesota posted a 25-6 record and advanced to its first NCAA Sweet 16. She was a unanimous All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as well as a third-team Verizon Academic All-American.
KODAK/WBCA ALL-AMERICA TEAM Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Nicole Powell (Jr., G) Stanford Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Iciss Tillis (Jr., F) Duke Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-AMERICA TEAM First team: Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Second team: Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Jocelyn Penn (Sr., G) South Carolina Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota Nicole Powell (Jr., G) Stanford Third team: Stacy Stephens (Jr., C) Texas Shereka Wright (Jr., F) Purdue Kendra Wecker (So., G) Kansas State Plenette Pierson (Sr., F) Texas Tech Seimone Augustus (Fr., F) LSU USBWA ALL-AMERICA TEAM Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Jocelyn Penn (Sr., G) South Carolina Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Kendra Wecker (So., G) Kansas State Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota
Whalen, McCarville, Von Wald Earn All-Big Ten
Guard Lindsay Whalen was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media to lead a trio of Golden Gophers to earn All-Big Ten honors. Sophomore center Janel McCarville (Stevens Point, Wis./Stevens Point) was named to the media's first team and the coaches? second team, while senior guard/forward Corrin Von Wald (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) was selected to the All-Big Ten third team by both the coaches and media.
The three Golden Gopher All-Big Ten honorees led Minnesota to a 25-6 record and a best-ever 12-4 mark in Big Ten play. The Gophers tied for second in the Conference standings for the second straight season. Whalen, McCarville and Von Wald form the second threesome of Gophers to earn all-conference acclaim in the same season, joining Laura Coenen (1), Molly Tadich (2) and Carol Peterka (HM) from the 1985 honor teams.
Whalen joined Penn State's Kelly Mazzante as the only players to be unanimously selected to the All-Big Ten first team. Mazzante edged Whalen for Big Ten Player of the Year honors, after Whalen gathered the honor last season. The first-team accolade is the second of Whalen's career.
McCarville was rewarded for her post-play dominance with the first-team nod by the Conference media and second-team accord by the coaches. McCarville was a second-team All-Big Ten pick and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season.
Von Wald earned her first postseason award, landing All-Big Ten third team acclaim on both the coaches and media honor squads.
All-Big Ten First Team Coaches Media Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota* Jennie Lillis, Iowa Kelly Mazzante, Penn State* Janel McCarville, Minnesota Tanisha Wright, Penn State Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota* Erika Valek, Purdue Kelly Mazzante, Penn State* Shereka Wright, Purdue Shereka Wright, Purdue * Unanimous Selection All-Big Ten Second Team Coaches Media Jennie Lillis, Iowa Angelina Williams, Illinois Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan St. Courtney Coleman, Ohio State Janel McCarville, Minnesota Caity Matter, Ohio State Courtney Coleman, Ohio State Tanisha Wright, Penn State Jess Brungo, Penn State Erika Valek, Purdue All-Big Ten Third Team Coaches Media Cindy Dallas, Illinois Cindy Dallas, Illinois Angelina Williams, Illinois Kristi Faulkner, Iowa Kristi Faulkner, Iowa Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan State Corrin Von Wald, Minnesota Corrin Von Wald, Minnesota Caity Matter, Ohio State Jess Strom, Penn State All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Coaches Aminata Yanni, Illinois; Jennifer Smith, Michigan; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Kristin Haynie, Michigan State; Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern; Jess Strom, Penn State All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Media Aminata Yanni, Illinois; Jennifer Smith, Michigan; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Kelli Roehrig, Michigan State; Liz Shimek, Michigan State; Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern; Kim Wilburn, Ohio State; Jess Brungo, Penn State; Mary Jo Noon, Purdue; Stephanie Rich, Wisconsin Coaches All-Freshmen Team: Cyndi Valentin, Indiana; Johanna Solverson, Iowa; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Liz Shimek, Michigan State; Kim Wilburn, Ohio State Coaches and Media Player of the Year: Kelly Mazzante, Penn State Coaches Defensive Player of the Year: Tanisha Wright, Penn State Coaches Freshman of the Year: Liz Shimek, Michigan State Media Freshman of the Year: Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State Coaches and Media Coach of the Year: Rene Portland, Penn State
Pam Borton a National Finalist
Head coach Pam Borton was one of 25 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award. Purdue's Kristy Curry and Penn State's Rene Portland were other Big Ten coaches among the finalists.
Nothing If Not Unusual
Minnesota earned NCAA Tournament berths with a first-year head coach at the helm in each of the last two seasons. Brenda Frese (then Oldfield) was one of only three rookies in the 2002 NCAA field leading Minnesota to their first postseason appearance in eight years before leaving for the head coaching job at Maryland. Current head coach Pam Borton continued the success leading the Gophers to their first consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in school history.
Whalen Named Team MVP for Third Straight Year
Guard Lindsay Whalen was honored as the Gophers? most valuable player for the third consecutive season. Whalen is just the third player in Gopher history to capture MVP honors three times, joining Carol Ann Shudlick (1992-94) and Linda Roberts (1979-81).
2002-03 Golden Gopher Awards: MVP: Lindsay Whalen Coaches? Award: Corrin Von Wald Most Improved Player: Shannon Schonrock Best Defensive Player: Corrin Von Wald Most Outstanding Scholar: Kadidja Andersson Sixth Player Award: Terry McFarland/Cathy Mahowald, Fast Break Club Fast Break Club Award: Lindsay Lieser
A Record Falls but Still Much Work to be Done
Minnesota posted a defensive scoring average of 64.5 points per game, the lowest opponent scoring average in school history. Head coach Pam Borton brought a defensive edge to the Gopher squad and this new school record is a great reflection of the progress made this season. But, there is still plenty of work to be done. Despite the 64.5 points per game setting a new school record, that defensive record ranked only seventh in the Big Ten.
Several Other Single-Season Team Records Fall
The Golden Gophers broke several single-season school records in the 2002-03 season in addition to the aforementioned defensive scoring average record. Following is a complete list of the single-season team records broken this season and the previous record.
New Single-Season Records 2002-03 Previous Mark Winning Percentage: .806 (25-6) .800 (28-7) 1980-81 Defensive Scoring Average 64.5 66.3, 1981-82 Field Goals Made 894 893, 2001-02 Field Goal Percentage .507 .500, 1982-83 Three-Point Field Goals Made 138 120, 1998-99 & 2001-02 Free Throws Made 486 484, 2001-02 Free Throw Percentage .757 .732, 2001-02 Assists 558 524, 2001-02 Points Scored 2,412 2,390, 2001-02
Whalen a Naismith Finalist
Lindsay Whalen was a finalist for the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award that was won by Connecticut's Diana Taurasi.
Gophers Win Big Ten Attendance Race
Minnesota finished No. 1 in the Big Ten in attendance this season. After posting six of the top 10 crowds in school history during the 2002-03 season, Minnesota averaged 7,800 fans per game. Purdue finished second with an average attendance of 7,341. An average crowd of 9,132 filled Williams Arena for Big Ten games this season.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Maybe the line from the movie Field of Dreams should read, ?If you win, they will come.? Minnesota ranked seventh in national attendance figures, the Gophers? highest ranking ever. Need another indication of how far this program has come in the last two years? Try this one. In 2000-01, Minnesota's average crowd was 1,087. That average did not even rank among the top 100 NCAA Division I schools in average attendance. In 2001-02, Minnesota averaged 4,360 per game to jump to ninth place nationally. This year's average of 7,800 was 618 percent higher than the average just two years ago.
Dozen Conference W's a Record
Minnesota posted its best Big Ten record ever in 2002-03 at 12-4. Though the Golden Gophers? record was their best, their second-place showing matches last year's finish.
Von Wald Took Defensive Challenge to Heart
Corrin Von Wald played three of her finest games defensively against two All-Americans, Penn State's Kelly Mazzante and Stanford's Nicole Powell, and the Big Ten's top three-point shooter in Ohio State's Caity Matter. Von Wald held Ohio State leading scorer Caity Matter to a season-low three points (13 below average) in the Gophers? 73-50 win over the Buckeyes on Feb. 16. Then Von Wald limited Mazzante, the Big Ten's top scorer, to 11 points (13 below average) in a 73-57 Minnesota win on Feb. 23. In the NCAA Second-Round game versus Stanford, Powell managed to tally her average 19 points but was 7-for-19 (37.8 percent) in doing so.
McCarville Gathers 500th Career Rebound
Center Janel McCarville pulled down a dozen rebounds against Texas and surpassed the 500-career rebound marker in the process. McCarville's career total stands at 511 rebounds. In addition, McCarville has scored 775 career points.
Prime-Time Performer
Sophomore center Janel McCarville averaged 12.7 points and 10.6 rebounds against nationally ranked opposition this season. Minnesota owned a 4-3 record against ranked teams this season with wins over Stanford, Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State and losses to Penn State, Ohio State and Texas.
Jan. 6, 2003 at No. 17/17 Penn State 10 pts. / 9 rebs. Jan. 19, 2003 No. 9/8 Purdue 19 pts. / 9 rebs. Feb. 6, 2003 at No. 25/- Ohio State 15 pts. / 12 rebs. Feb. 16, 2003 No. 22/24 Ohio State 20 pts. / 17 rebs. Feb. 23, 2003 No. 12/13 Penn State 18 pts. / 4 rebs. March 24 at No. 9/9 Stanford 7 pts. / 11 rebs. March 30 vs. No. 5/5 Texas 10 pts. / 12 rebs.
Making a Huge Point
Golden Gopher guard Lindsay Whalen was the only Naismith Award finalist found in the national statistics in both scoring and assists. Whalen was 14th in scoring (20.6 ppg.) and 20th in assists (6.2 apg.). Only Bucknell senior Molly Creamer was also found on both lists, ranking second in scoring (27.1 ppg.) and 24th in assists (6.0 apg.).
Freshman Guard Shows Poise Beyond her Years
Freshman point guard Shannon Schonrock (Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area) says she never gets nervous before a game, just excited. Schonrock's performances in her first NCAA Tournament games were nothing short of phenomenal. The spunky 5-6 rookie played all but four seconds of the Tulane and Stanford games and scored 12 points in both contests, tying a career high. Against Texas, she played 38 minutes without a turnover and added three assists. Schonrock calmly took care of business, first facing intense defensive pressure against Tulane, then directing the offense in the biggest win in school history versus Stanford and held her own against a tough Texas backcourt. In 118 minute of action in the three games, Schonrock committed just four turnovers, while hitting six three-point field goals.
Gophers Go Undefeated in Williams Arena
Notching a perfect 11-0 record at home in Williams Arena, Minnesota captured its first undefeated season on their home court since going 13-0 at home in Williams in the 1980-81 season. The Gophers finished with a best-ever 28-7 record that season overall. Minnesota has one additional undefeated home season, 9-0 in 1977-78.
Von Wald Another Weapon in Gopher Arsenal
Senior guard/forward Corrin Von Wald added another dangerous weapon to the Golden Gopher arsenal. Von Wald was second on the team in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and assists (83), while leading the Gopher defense with 84 steals. She added 3.9 rebounds per game and shot 59.7 percent (40-67) from three-point range. Her 2.7 steals per game was second in the Big Ten.
Von Wald led the Gophers in scoring seven times this season, including a career-high 27 point outing in the win at Northwestern (2/13) and 20 points versus Ohio State (2/16).
Von Wald Hits 11 Straight From Three-Point Range
Corrin Von Wald made a school-record 11 straight three-point field goals before finally missing in the Penn State (2/23) game. Von Wald has been impressive from three-point range throughout the Big Ten season. She led the conference in three-point field goal percentage at 61.7 percent, making 29 of 47 treys. Her Big Ten percentage mirrored her overall percentage from long range. Von Wald was 40-of-67 from three point land for 59.7 percent.
McCarville Feasted on Big Ten Opposition
2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Janel McCarville earned respect in her rookie season battling in the paint. In her sophomore season, McCarville more than battled in the post, she dominated it, earning All-Big Ten first-team honors by the media and second-team accolades by the coaches. In conference play, McCarville led the Big Ten in field goal percentage, hitting 68.6 percent from the floor, and was second in rebounding, pulling down 9.4 boards a game. She also ranked ninth in scoring (15.6 ppg.), and fourth in blocked shots (1.4 bpg.).
Whalen an Academic All-American
Lindsay Whalen, a sports studies major, earned third-team Verizon Academic All-America, becoming the first Minnesota women's basketball player to earn Academic All-America honors. Whalen was an Academic All-District selection in 2002. Corrin Von Wald, an architecture major, was honored as a member of the second-team Verizon Academic All-District team.
Four Gophers Earn Academic All-Big Ten Honors
Minnesota was represented by four players on the Academic Alll-Big Ten squad. Lindsay Lieser, Kadidja Andersson, Corrin Von Wald and Lindsay Whalen were all named to the team for the second time in their careers.
Gopher Offense No. 9 in Nation
Minnesota averaged 77.8 points per game to finish the season ranked ninth in the nation in scoring offense. Indiana State led the nation in scoring at 80.0 ppg.
Potent Pointers of the Gopher Offense
A quick look at the stat sheet clearly reveals why the Golden Gopher offense was among the nation's leaders in offense. Minnesota was second in the nation in field goal percentage at 50.7 percent and added an impressive 75.7 percent from the free throw line. The Gophers shot better than 50 percent from the floor in 17 games and better than 80 percent from the free throw line 13 times this season. The Gophers' 116-point effort against IPFW was the highest in the Big Ten and fourth-highest in the nation this season and tied for the sixth-highest team score in Big Ten history.
Whalen Assist Tops NCAA Era
Lindsay Whalen's 192 assists this season surpassed former Gopher great Debbie Hunter's (1979-83) 174 assists for the most in Minnesota history since the Gophers began playing an NCAA schedule. Hunter accomplished the feat with 174 in 1982-83, Minnesota's first NCAA season. Hunter owns the all-time single-season record with 241 assists during the 1980-81 season and holds the career mark with 632. Whalen ranks second in Minnesota history with 433 career assists.
McCarville Had Big Ten Opponents Seeing Double
Janel McCarville posted double-doubles in four straight Big Ten outings and had nine double-doubles this season. She has 16 in her career. McCarville scored a team-high 15 points and pulled down 12 rebounds at Ohio State (2/6), then followed up with 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win at Indiana (2/9) and 20 points and 17 rebounds versus Ohio State (2/16). She collected number four with 22 points and 10 rebounds at Iowa (2/20). Only Illinois? Cindy Dallas (11) had more double-doubles in the Big Ten than McCarville this season. McCarville, a sophomore with 31 Big Ten games played, nearly averages a career double-double in her Big Ten career, checking in with averages of 15.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Rededication to Defense
While Minnesota gained notoriety with its potent offense, the Golden Gopher defense was Coach Pam Borton's target for improvement this season. Minnesota's defense has improved steadily and allowed 64.5 points per game. The Gophers posted a defensive average of 71.7 points per game allowed a year ago and ranked last in the Big Ten.
The powerful teams in the Big Ten provided a stiff test for the Gopher defense and they responded. Borton aimed for her defense to allow in the neighborhood of 66 points a game. In the Gophers? conference season, the Gophers? defense lived up to their coach's expectations finishing with a defensive average of 65.3 points per Big Ten game.
Another Lesson Learned, Focus Back on Defense
Head coach Pam Borton was embarrassed when Illinois lit up the scoreboard and her Gopher defense for 94 points in a 94-80 loss in Champaign (1/26). Minnesota's defense regained its intensity and purpose, allowing an average of 58.0 points in the nine remaining regular-season games after the Illinois game. A disappointing defensive performance in the Big Ten Tournament saw Iowa put up 80 points on the Gopher defense, leading Borton to once again reinforce her emphasis on defense. The first game following the Illinois game the Gophers gave up just 56 points. Borton and her Golden Gophers bettered that limiting Tulane to just 48 points in the first-round game of the NCAA Tournament.
Gophers 8-2 With Schonrock Starting at Point Guard
Freshman Shannon Schonrock earned her first career start against Indiana (2/9). Schonrock made only one basket, a three-pointer, to finish with three points but she ran the offense efficiently, playing 33 minutes and committing just two turnovers. She started 10 of the last 11 games of the season, with Senior Night (2/27 vs. Wisconsin) her only non-start. The 5-6 Schonrock was the first freshman to start at point guard since Lindsay Whalen started three games at that position in 2000-01 (Whalen's other starts her freshman season were at shooting guard).
Schonrock did an exceptional job of controlling the tempo of the game and took care of the ball. In averaging 23.8 minutes on the court per game, Schonrock committed a turnover only once in every 16.4 minutes of play. She was third on the team in assists (74) and maintained a solid 1.5-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. Schonrock also provided the coaching staff with the opportunity to move Whalen to the shooting guard position.
Schonrock dished out a career-high eight assists in the win over Ohio State (2/16) and averaged 3.4 assists in her 10 career starts.
Plenty of Experience Surrounded the Rookie
Shannon Schonrock has only 10 career starts in the Minnesota lineup, but the Golden Gophers had plenty of experience to surround the rookie point guard. Lindsay Whalen has the longest consecutive games started streak at 82 and counting, Corrin Von Wald ended her career with 61 straight starts. The other starters, Kadidja Andersson (Stockholm, Sweden/Brannkyrka Gym.) and Janel McCarville have plenty of experience as well. Andersson has started all but six of her 89 career games. McCarville has 45 starts after her sophomore season. The Gophers had further starting experience coming off the bench. Senior guard Lindsay Lieser (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) had 84 career starts, while senior center Kim Prince (Montgomery, Ala./Carver) had 44 starts in her Gopher career.
Whalen Moves to Fourth on Career Scoring List
Lindsay Whalen, now with 1,731 career points, ranks fourth on the Golden Gophers? career scoring list. Only seven players have scored over 2,000 career points in the history of the Big Ten, led by former Ohio State star and current Minnesota Lynx All-Star Katie Smith with 2,578 career points.
Top Five Scorers in Minnesota History 1. 2,097 Carol Ann Shudlick (1991-94) 2. 2,044 Laura Coenen (1982-85) 3. 1,856 Linda Roberts (1978-81) 4. 1,731 Lindsay Whalen (2001-c) 5. 1,706 Molly Tadich (1984-87)
Andersson Quiet, but Effective
Junior forward Kadidja Andersson quietly went about her work, often undetected on the stat sheet, but her worth to the Gopher game plan each game was substantial. Andersson ranked fifth on the team in scoring (7.1 ppg.), third in rebounds (4.1 rpg.) and fourth in assists (68). Andersson's biggest contributions may come on defense, where her assignment was to shut down the opponent's top forward, or on offense, with her passing and screens.
Bolden Took Advantage of Court Time
Freshman forward Shannon Bolden (Marshall, Minn./Marshall) earned increased playing time with her performances in the second half of the season. At Illinois (1/26), Bolden stepped up big when called into action, playing a career-high 21 minutes and tallying her first collegiate game in double-figures with 11 points. Bolden hit the first 11 free throws of her career before missing her first attempt at Northwestern. She was 16-of-18 from the line. Bolden added seven points and three rebounds to the win over Ohio State (2/16) and six points versus Iowa in her first Big Ten Tournament game.
Answering the Call
Reserve guard/forward Leslie Hill was a perfect example of being ready to go off the bench whenever your number is called. Hill, a junior, had not played in five games (since Jan. 19 win over Purdue) but made a huge contribution to the Gophers? comeback at Northwestern (2/13). Hill's entrance into the game coincided with the Minnesota rally. Hill played the final 15 minutes of the game and chipped in two points, two offensive rebounds, two assists and a steal. She also played 13 big minutes in the first half of the NCAA game versus Tulane.
Three Gophers Recorded Double-Doubles
Minnesota has three players who have recorded double-doubles a total of 14 times this season:
Kadidja Andersson 17 pt. / 10 reb. vs. IPFW Janel McCarville 11 pt. / 14 reb. at Loyola 18 pt. / 10 reb. at Wright State 21 pt. / 14 reb. vs. Iowa 15 pt. / 12 reb. at Ohio State 12 pt. / 14 reb. at Indiana 20 pt. / 17 reb. vs. Ohio State 22 pt. / 10 reb. at Iowa 21 pt. / 10 reb. vs. Wisconsin 10 pt. / 12 reb. vs. Texas Lindsay Whalen 33 pt. / 11 ast. at Dayton 21 pt. / 12 reb. vs. Illinois 23 pt. / 11 ast. vs. Iowa 26 pt. / 10 ast. vs. Purdue
The Defense Made a Stand
The Golden Gophers needed their defense to make a stand and it did just that against Indiana (2/9). Minnesota captured a 59-56 victory, marking just the third time in the last decade that the Gophers won a game scoring less than 60 points. The last time was on Nov. 23, 1999, when Minnesota downed San Diego, 52-50. The last time the Gophers accomplished the feat in Big Ten play was on Jan. 10, 1999, when the Gophers defeated Michigan 54-47.
Whalen Pursued the Coveted Triple
Only one Golden Gopher - Carol Peterka in 1984 - has recorded a triple-double in Minnesota history, collecting 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Michigan (March 4). This season, Lindsay Whalen came very close to becoming the second Gopher to garner at triple-double three times. Against Iowa (1/12), Whalen poured in 23 points, dished out 11 assists and pulled down nine rebounds, one rebound shy of the triple-double. Versus Illinois (1/9), Whalen scored 21 points and tallied a career-high in rebounds with 12 but fell just short of the triple-double with eight assists. On Nov. 27 at Loyola, she was one rebound and one assist away from the honored triple-double, tallying 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Lieser, Prince Surpass the Century Game of Careers
Golden Gopher seniors Lindsay Lieser and Kim Prince hit the same career milestone on the same night. The Gophers? game on Jan. 9 against Illinois marked the 100th game of both Lieser's and Prince's collegiate careers. Prince and Lieser have played in all but one (116 of 117) game in their careers. Lieser has started 84 games, while Prince has 44 career starts to her credit.
Seeking Perfection on Offense
Minnesota averaged 77.8 points per game despite committing an average of 16.6 turnovers per game. Still, the Gophers maintained a respectable 1.1-to-1.0 assist to turnover ratio as a team with 558 assists and 513 turnovers on the season. Minnesota looked to take better care of the basketball, and did just that with a season-low three turnovers against Northwestern (2/13).
Von Wald Another Williams Success Story
Golden Gopher senior Corrin Von Wald missed just five field goal attempts in Minnesota's first four home games in Williams Arena this season. She shot a blistering 85.7 percent from the floor off her home hardwood during those four games, canning 30-of-35 field goal attempts. Von Wald went 6-7 against IPFW, 10-10 versus Radford, 7-8 versus UMKC and 7-10 versus Michigan.
Trying to Steal a Victory
Minnesota was 18-1 on the season when the Golden Gophers captureed 10 or more steals in a game. This resulted in the Gophers leading the Big Ten in steals, averaging 10.35 per game, and Corrin Von Wald ranking second in the league with 2.71 steals per game. In the Gophers? four regular-season losses, steals were hard to get with Minnesota snaring five at Penn State, seven at Michigan State, six at Illinois and four at Ohio State. The only exception to the steals trend was the Gophers? loss to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament, where Minnesota grabbed 15 steals. The Gophers managed just five steals in the NCAA loss to Texas.
Three Gophers Score 20-Plus in Same Game
For the first time in a Big Ten game, three Golden Gophers scored 20 or more points in a game. Corrin Von Wald (25), Janel McCarville (23) and Lindsay Whalen (21) posted double-digit performances in the win over Iowa (1/12). Overall, this was the third time in Gopher history that three players scored 20 or more points in a game, and the first since Nov. 30, 1991 when Carol Ann Shudlick (26), Stacy Carver (22) and Dana Joubert (20) accomplished the feat but lost in overtime to North Carolina State.
Lieser Builds on Gopher Record Trifecta Count
Senior guard Lindsay Lieser hit two three-point field goals against Harvard (Dec. 8) to hit 200 for her career and become just the eighth player in Big Ten history to tally 200 or more treys. Lieser, who finished with 216 three-pointers, holds the Minnesota career mark by a wide margin, hitting a three-pointer in 87 of 116 career games. Iowa's Lindsey Meder (1998-02) owns the Big Ten record with 261 three-point field goals. Lieser is ranked eighth place on the Big Ten all-time three-pointers made list with 216.
In the Books as a Dozen
The Golden Gophers? 12-0 start goes down in the record books as the longest winning streak to begin a season, bettering the season-opening winning streak of five wins to begin the 1982-83 season. A year ago, the Gophers blitzed to a 9-1 start but lost the third game of the season.
McGhee Lost for Season
Senior reserve guard Trish McGhee tore the ACL and MCL in her right knee during practice on Dec. 4 and was lost for the season. McGhee missed most of her freshman season after tearing the ACL in her left knee. McGhee had seen action in three games this season averaging 1.7 points per contest. The 2002-03 Season in Review
So very much can be said about the Golden Gophers? 2002-03 season but one of the most meaningful descriptions of the year was that this was season that the Minnesota women's basketball team lived up to expectations. And very high expectations at that.
The Gophers entered the season with new head coach Pam Borton at the helm, a new defensive philosophy and a No. 15 national ranking. Minnesota was picked to contend for a Big Ten championship. After the great turnaround season of 2001-02 and just the second trip to the NCAA Tournament, it was with great anticipation that this year's squad took the floor.
Strength of schedule was not a forte of Minnesota's nonconference slate but the Gophers took care of business to the tune of a perfect 11-0 record entering the conference season. Along the way, Minnesota captured tournament titles in its own Subway Classic and the Air Force Tournament. On Dec. 30, Minnesota was rewarded with its first top 10 national ranking, sitting at No. 10 in the Associated Press poll.
The Gophers added to the best start in school history with a dominating win (98-70) in the Big Ten opener against Michigan. The best start in the school history went into the record books at 12-0.
Minnesota moved up to No. 9 in the AP poll on Jan. 6, the highest ranking in school history, but the excitement was short-lived. Penn State ended the Gophers? season-opening winning streak on the very same day.
The Gophers returned home for three straight games in Williams Arena. Wins over Illinois and Iowa proceeded the a huge contest against Purdue. In front of a Williams Arena record crowd of 13,117, the Gophers defeated the No. 9 Boilermakers, 90-75.
The next two weeks proved to be the most difficult of the season. The Gophers suffered consecutive road losses to Michigan State, Illinois and Ohio State. Suddenly, Minnesota was 0-4 on the road in the Big Ten and labeled as a team that couldn?t win away from Williams Arena.
Games at Indiana and Northwestern were next on the schedule and, as it would turn out,, would be looked upon as turning points of the season. The 59-56 win at Indiana saw the Gophers battle foul trouble, yet hang on to win their first conference road game. Lindsay Whalen took over the game in the final minutes and scored the last nine Gopher points.
While the Indiana game may have taken the monkey off the Gophers? back, it was the Northwestern game that provided a defining moment.
Playing without Janel McCarville (concussion), the Gophers struggled mightily. Northwestern made several long three-pointers and gained confidence with each possession. With 15:30 left in the game, the Wildcats had just taken their largest lead at 50-32. The ending of this game was an indication of things to come for the Gophers. This Minnesota squad came to understand the importance of defense.
Minnesota held Northwestern scoreless over the next eight minutes and in turn went on an 18-0 run to knot the score at 50. The Gophers secured the win on a pair of Corrin Von Wald free throws with 13 seconds left, the last of her career-high 27 points. Minnesota won 64-61.
The wins at Indiana and Northwestern began a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season. A big home win over Penn State on national television highlighted the stretch.
Minnesota matched its second-place Big Ten finish from a year ago, but did so with its best conference record ever at 12-4. The Gophers shared second place with Purdue, one game behind champion Penn State.
The Big Ten Tournament proved to be a bump in the road as the Gophers suffered a disappointing loss to Iowa in the quarterfinals. Conquering the conference tournament ghosts will have to wait another season.
Despite the loss, the Gophers entered the NCAA Tournament with fire and enthusiasm. Minnesota received a No. 6 seed in the West Region, the region deemed by experts as a brutal trek to the Final Four.
Minnesota traveled to Stanford, Calif., and faced Tulane in the first round. The Gopher defense was stifling as Minnesota posted a 68-48 victory over the Green Wave.
If the Northwestern game was a defining moment to the season, the Stanford game will be the one Gopher fans will remember the most from the 2002-03 season. Minnesota upset No. 3-seeded Stanford, 68-56, and handed the Cardinal their first home defeat in 26 games. The Gophers were on their way to the Sweet 16.
A return trip to Stanford was in order for the West Regional. Minnesota gave Final Four-bound Texas quite a battle but fell to the Longhorns, 73-60. The Golden Gophers ended their finest season in the NCAA era with a 25 -6 record.
The Final Numbers
Minnesota completed its finest season in the NCAA era, posting a 25-6 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. The Gophers also recorded its best mark in Big Ten play at 12-4, good for a second-place tie in the team standings.
ESPN Televised All 63 Games
ESPN/ESPN2 televised all 63 games of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time in tournament history. Minnesota completed the season with a 7-2 mark in televised games.
Minnesota History in the NCAAs
Minnesota made its third trip to the Big Dance and in back-to-back seasons for the first time. This was Minnesota's first trip to the Sweet 16 after wins over Tulane and Stanford. The sixth-seeded Gophers were defeated by second-seed Texas in the West Regional semifinal. The Golden Gophers have a 4-3 mark in NCAA Tournament play. In Minnesota's two previous trips to the NCAAs, the Gophers advanced to the second round in 1994 and 2002. In 1994, the Golden Gophers entered the tournament with a 17-10 record, earning the No. 10 seed in the East Region. Minnesota upset No. 7-seed Notre Dame, 81-76, in South Bend, Ind., but lost to No. 2-seed Vanderbilt, 98-72, in Nashville in the second round. Former Gopher great Carol Ann Shudlick, the 1994 Big Ten Player of the Year, was the force behind Minnesota's first team to capture an NCAA invitation. Last season, Minnesota earned the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region and entered the tournament at 21-7. The Gophers defeated UNLV, 71-54, in the first round, then lost to host North Carolina, 72-69, in the second round.
Six Big Ten Teams in NCAAs
For the second straight year, the Big Ten Conference was represented by six teams in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, matching the Conference record set previously in 1996 and 2002. The Southeastern Conference and the Big East Conference had the most teams in the 2003 field with seven a piece, followed by the Big Ten with six. Purdue earned the Big Ten's automatic bid and was joined by Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State in the NCAA field.
Gophers No. 17 and 13 in Final Polls
The Golden Gophers are ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll of the season, dated March 17 and prior to the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota was ranked No. 9, its highest ranking ever, in the Jan. 6 poll. The Gophers are listed at No. 13 in the USA Today/ESPN Poll, dated April 14.
Streak of National Ranking Rolls On
Minnesota has been ranked in the AP National Poll's top 25 for the last 27 polls, dating back to Jan. 21, 2002, easily the longest streak in Golden Gopher history.
25 Wins is the Best in NCAA Era
Minnesota posted 25 wins, the program's most during the NCAA era (Minnesota played its first NCAA schedule in 1982-83), bettering last year's total of 22 victories. The most wins in the 29-year history of Minnesota women's basketball was 28 victories in 1980-81, when the governing body for women's sports was the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women).
Back-to-Back in the Books
Minnesota recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in school history with this season's 25-6 mark and a 22-8 record in 2001-02. Twenty-win seasons are not plentiful in Minnesota history. The 2002-03 season marked just the fifth 20-win season for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota 20-win seasons: 2002-03 (25-6); 2001-02 (22-8); 1982-83 (20-7); 1980-81 (28-7 AIAW); 1977-78 (24-20 AIAW).
Whalen Captures Several All-America Accolades
After a team enjoys its most successful season in school history, individual accolades often follow. Such is the case with Minnesota and its junior guard Lindsay Whalen (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson). Whalen was selected to three All-America teams following a stellar 2002-03 campaign.
The highest honor Whalen received was Kodak/WBCA All-America honors. She was an honorable mention Kodak All-America as a sophomore. Whalen and former Gopher great Carol Ann Shudlick (1994) are the only Gophers to earn Kodak first-team honors.
Whalen was named to the Associated Press All-America Second Team and was a repeat honoree on the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-America Team. Last season, Whalen was accorded third-team honors by AP.
Whalen led the Golden Gophers in scoring (20.6 ppg.) and assists (6.2 apg.) as Minnesota posted a 25-6 record and advanced to its first NCAA Sweet 16. She was a unanimous All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as well as a third-team Verizon Academic All-American.
KODAK/WBCA ALL-AMERICA TEAM Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Nicole Powell (Jr., G) Stanford Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Iciss Tillis (Jr., F) Duke Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-AMERICA TEAM First team: Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Second team: Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Jocelyn Penn (Sr., G) South Carolina Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota Nicole Powell (Jr., G) Stanford Third team: Stacy Stephens (Jr., C) Texas Shereka Wright (Jr., F) Purdue Kendra Wecker (So., G) Kansas State Plenette Pierson (Sr., F) Texas Tech Seimone Augustus (Fr., F) LSU USBWA ALL-AMERICA TEAM Chantelle Anderson (Sr., C) Vanderbilt Alana Beard (Jr., G) Duke Kara Lawson (Sr., G) Tennessee Kelly Mazzante (Jr., G) Penn State Nicole Ohlde (Jr., F) Kansas State Jocelyn Penn (Sr., G) South Carolina Diana Taurasi (Jr., G) Connecticut LaToya Thomas (Sr., F) Mississippi State Kendra Wecker (So., G) Kansas State Lindsay Whalen (Jr., G) Minnesota
Whalen, McCarville, Von Wald Earn All-Big Ten
Guard Lindsay Whalen was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media to lead a trio of Golden Gophers to earn All-Big Ten honors. Sophomore center Janel McCarville (Stevens Point, Wis./Stevens Point) was named to the media's first team and the coaches? second team, while senior guard/forward Corrin Von Wald (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) was selected to the All-Big Ten third team by both the coaches and media.
The three Golden Gopher All-Big Ten honorees led Minnesota to a 25-6 record and a best-ever 12-4 mark in Big Ten play. The Gophers tied for second in the Conference standings for the second straight season. Whalen, McCarville and Von Wald form the second threesome of Gophers to earn all-conference acclaim in the same season, joining Laura Coenen (1), Molly Tadich (2) and Carol Peterka (HM) from the 1985 honor teams.
Whalen joined Penn State's Kelly Mazzante as the only players to be unanimously selected to the All-Big Ten first team. Mazzante edged Whalen for Big Ten Player of the Year honors, after Whalen gathered the honor last season. The first-team accolade is the second of Whalen's career.
McCarville was rewarded for her post-play dominance with the first-team nod by the Conference media and second-team accord by the coaches. McCarville was a second-team All-Big Ten pick and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season.
Von Wald earned her first postseason award, landing All-Big Ten third team acclaim on both the coaches and media honor squads.
All-Big Ten First Team Coaches Media Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota* Jennie Lillis, Iowa Kelly Mazzante, Penn State* Janel McCarville, Minnesota Tanisha Wright, Penn State Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota* Erika Valek, Purdue Kelly Mazzante, Penn State* Shereka Wright, Purdue Shereka Wright, Purdue * Unanimous Selection All-Big Ten Second Team Coaches Media Jennie Lillis, Iowa Angelina Williams, Illinois Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan St. Courtney Coleman, Ohio State Janel McCarville, Minnesota Caity Matter, Ohio State Courtney Coleman, Ohio State Tanisha Wright, Penn State Jess Brungo, Penn State Erika Valek, Purdue All-Big Ten Third Team Coaches Media Cindy Dallas, Illinois Cindy Dallas, Illinois Angelina Williams, Illinois Kristi Faulkner, Iowa Kristi Faulkner, Iowa Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan State Corrin Von Wald, Minnesota Corrin Von Wald, Minnesota Caity Matter, Ohio State Jess Strom, Penn State All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Coaches Aminata Yanni, Illinois; Jennifer Smith, Michigan; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Kristin Haynie, Michigan State; Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern; Jess Strom, Penn State All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Media Aminata Yanni, Illinois; Jennifer Smith, Michigan; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Kelli Roehrig, Michigan State; Liz Shimek, Michigan State; Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern; Kim Wilburn, Ohio State; Jess Brungo, Penn State; Mary Jo Noon, Purdue; Stephanie Rich, Wisconsin Coaches All-Freshmen Team: Cyndi Valentin, Indiana; Johanna Solverson, Iowa; Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State; Liz Shimek, Michigan State; Kim Wilburn, Ohio State Coaches and Media Player of the Year: Kelly Mazzante, Penn State Coaches Defensive Player of the Year: Tanisha Wright, Penn State Coaches Freshman of the Year: Liz Shimek, Michigan State Media Freshman of the Year: Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State Coaches and Media Coach of the Year: Rene Portland, Penn State
Pam Borton a National Finalist
Head coach Pam Borton was one of 25 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award. Purdue's Kristy Curry and Penn State's Rene Portland were other Big Ten coaches among the finalists.
Nothing If Not Unusual
Minnesota earned NCAA Tournament berths with a first-year head coach at the helm in each of the last two seasons. Brenda Frese (then Oldfield) was one of only three rookies in the 2002 NCAA field leading Minnesota to their first postseason appearance in eight years before leaving for the head coaching job at Maryland. Current head coach Pam Borton continued the success leading the Gophers to their first consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in school history.
Whalen Named Team MVP for Third Straight Year
Guard Lindsay Whalen was honored as the Gophers? most valuable player for the third consecutive season. Whalen is just the third player in Gopher history to capture MVP honors three times, joining Carol Ann Shudlick (1992-94) and Linda Roberts (1979-81).
2002-03 Golden Gopher Awards: MVP: Lindsay Whalen Coaches? Award: Corrin Von Wald Most Improved Player: Shannon Schonrock Best Defensive Player: Corrin Von Wald Most Outstanding Scholar: Kadidja Andersson Sixth Player Award: Terry McFarland/Cathy Mahowald, Fast Break Club Fast Break Club Award: Lindsay Lieser
A Record Falls but Still Much Work to be Done
Minnesota posted a defensive scoring average of 64.5 points per game, the lowest opponent scoring average in school history. Head coach Pam Borton brought a defensive edge to the Gopher squad and this new school record is a great reflection of the progress made this season. But, there is still plenty of work to be done. Despite the 64.5 points per game setting a new school record, that defensive record ranked only seventh in the Big Ten.
Several Other Single-Season Team Records Fall
The Golden Gophers broke several single-season school records in the 2002-03 season in addition to the aforementioned defensive scoring average record. Following is a complete list of the single-season team records broken this season and the previous record.
New Single-Season Records 2002-03 Previous Mark Winning Percentage: .806 (25-6) .800 (28-7) 1980-81 Defensive Scoring Average 64.5 66.3, 1981-82 Field Goals Made 894 893, 2001-02 Field Goal Percentage .507 .500, 1982-83 Three-Point Field Goals Made 138 120, 1998-99 & 2001-02 Free Throws Made 486 484, 2001-02 Free Throw Percentage .757 .732, 2001-02 Assists 558 524, 2001-02 Points Scored 2,412 2,390, 2001-02
Whalen a Naismith Finalist
Lindsay Whalen was a finalist for the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award that was won by Connecticut's Diana Taurasi.
Gophers Win Big Ten Attendance Race
Minnesota finished No. 1 in the Big Ten in attendance this season. After posting six of the top 10 crowds in school history during the 2002-03 season, Minnesota averaged 7,800 fans per game. Purdue finished second with an average attendance of 7,341. An average crowd of 9,132 filled Williams Arena for Big Ten games this season.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Maybe the line from the movie Field of Dreams should read, ?If you win, they will come.? Minnesota ranked seventh in national attendance figures, the Gophers? highest ranking ever. Need another indication of how far this program has come in the last two years? Try this one. In 2000-01, Minnesota's average crowd was 1,087. That average did not even rank among the top 100 NCAA Division I schools in average attendance. In 2001-02, Minnesota averaged 4,360 per game to jump to ninth place nationally. This year's average of 7,800 was 618 percent higher than the average just two years ago.
Dozen Conference W's a Record
Minnesota posted its best Big Ten record ever in 2002-03 at 12-4. Though the Golden Gophers? record was their best, their second-place showing matches last year's finish.
Von Wald Took Defensive Challenge to Heart
Corrin Von Wald played three of her finest games defensively against two All-Americans, Penn State's Kelly Mazzante and Stanford's Nicole Powell, and the Big Ten's top three-point shooter in Ohio State's Caity Matter. Von Wald held Ohio State leading scorer Caity Matter to a season-low three points (13 below average) in the Gophers? 73-50 win over the Buckeyes on Feb. 16. Then Von Wald limited Mazzante, the Big Ten's top scorer, to 11 points (13 below average) in a 73-57 Minnesota win on Feb. 23. In the NCAA Second-Round game versus Stanford, Powell managed to tally her average 19 points but was 7-for-19 (37.8 percent) in doing so.
McCarville Gathers 500th Career Rebound
Center Janel McCarville pulled down a dozen rebounds against Texas and surpassed the 500-career rebound marker in the process. McCarville's career total stands at 511 rebounds. In addition, McCarville has scored 775 career points.
Prime-Time Performer
Sophomore center Janel McCarville averaged 12.7 points and 10.6 rebounds against nationally ranked opposition this season. Minnesota owned a 4-3 record against ranked teams this season with wins over Stanford, Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State and losses to Penn State, Ohio State and Texas.
Jan. 6, 2003 at No. 17/17 Penn State 10 pts. / 9 rebs. Jan. 19, 2003 No. 9/8 Purdue 19 pts. / 9 rebs. Feb. 6, 2003 at No. 25/- Ohio State 15 pts. / 12 rebs. Feb. 16, 2003 No. 22/24 Ohio State 20 pts. / 17 rebs. Feb. 23, 2003 No. 12/13 Penn State 18 pts. / 4 rebs. March 24 at No. 9/9 Stanford 7 pts. / 11 rebs. March 30 vs. No. 5/5 Texas 10 pts. / 12 rebs.
Making a Huge Point
Golden Gopher guard Lindsay Whalen was the only Naismith Award finalist found in the national statistics in both scoring and assists. Whalen was 14th in scoring (20.6 ppg.) and 20th in assists (6.2 apg.). Only Bucknell senior Molly Creamer was also found on both lists, ranking second in scoring (27.1 ppg.) and 24th in assists (6.0 apg.).
Freshman Guard Shows Poise Beyond her Years
Freshman point guard Shannon Schonrock (Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area) says she never gets nervous before a game, just excited. Schonrock's performances in her first NCAA Tournament games were nothing short of phenomenal. The spunky 5-6 rookie played all but four seconds of the Tulane and Stanford games and scored 12 points in both contests, tying a career high. Against Texas, she played 38 minutes without a turnover and added three assists. Schonrock calmly took care of business, first facing intense defensive pressure against Tulane, then directing the offense in the biggest win in school history versus Stanford and held her own against a tough Texas backcourt. In 118 minute of action in the three games, Schonrock committed just four turnovers, while hitting six three-point field goals.
Gophers Go Undefeated in Williams Arena
Notching a perfect 11-0 record at home in Williams Arena, Minnesota captured its first undefeated season on their home court since going 13-0 at home in Williams in the 1980-81 season. The Gophers finished with a best-ever 28-7 record that season overall. Minnesota has one additional undefeated home season, 9-0 in 1977-78.
Von Wald Another Weapon in Gopher Arsenal
Senior guard/forward Corrin Von Wald added another dangerous weapon to the Golden Gopher arsenal. Von Wald was second on the team in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and assists (83), while leading the Gopher defense with 84 steals. She added 3.9 rebounds per game and shot 59.7 percent (40-67) from three-point range. Her 2.7 steals per game was second in the Big Ten.
Von Wald led the Gophers in scoring seven times this season, including a career-high 27 point outing in the win at Northwestern (2/13) and 20 points versus Ohio St
