University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Concordia St. Paul on Sunday
10/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Minnesota women’s basketball team plays host to Concordia University, St. Paul on Sunday, Nov. 2, in the first of two exhibition games preceding the 2008-09 regular season. Tip-off at Williams Arena is set for 2 p.m.
2008-09 Golden Gopher Outlook:
As certain as the earth spins on its axis, what goes around comes around. Life is a series of beginnings and endings. True also in the world of collegiate basketball where freshmen come to campus, so full of promise and potential, and before you know it they are seniors wondering how these years have flown by so quickly.
The Minnesota women’s basketball program has been under the direction of head coach Pam Borton for the last six seasons. Each season, the Golden Gophers have advanced to postseason action, obviously highlighted by the Gophers’ memorable trek to the Final Four in 2004 and to the Sweet 16 in 2003 and 2005. Like the flip of the calendar year, in the world of our Golden Gophers what comes around, goes around.
Gopher fans, think back. Can you hear Coach Borton speak of a team going as far as the senior leadership would take them? Or conversely, have you heard the Gophers’ veteran mentor proclaiming that a team would rely on the athletic pursuits of a talented freshman class? Yes, you’ve heard them both. And both turned out to be successful outcomes.
In “what comes around, goes around” fashion, Borton’s past statements are very much applicable to the 2008-09 season. Though there is a definite temptation to lean in the direction of the senior leadership prediction, the importance of the rookie Golden Gophers, four born-and-raised Minnesotans, that gets the nod at least for the season preview.
The 2008-09 Golden Gophers, though led by one of the most prolific players in school history in Emily Fox, will more likely be defined by the most recent additions to the roster, the freshmen.
“We’re very excited about our 2008 recruiting class ranked 14th in the nation (Blue Star Report) and the fact they are all Minnesota players makes me extremely proud,” said Borton. “These kids could have gone anywhere in the nation for college, but they choose to stay home and play for the U, their home state university, and in front of their families and friends. I’m very excited for them. They are going to be very successful and have great careers as Golden Gophers.”
What goes around, comes around. The Gopher rookies came to the U for this very reason the challenge to be the very best. Though young now, this group of Kiara Buford, Brianna Mastey, Nicole Mastey and Jackie Voigt, is the foundation of the future, the future leaders. Their time, though, has already come. Soon enough they will change the preseason prognasticaton to the experienced version.
Knowing full well that the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores, the Golden Gophers have the catalyst in senior All-America candidate Fox to shoulder the leadership element necessary to sustain success this season.
An All-Big Ten First-Team selection a year ago, Fox received mention in Conference Player of the Year voting and deservingly so. Her name was found all over the Big Ten stat sheet. Fox averaged 17.2 points per game overall and in Big Ten play to rank fourth in scoring average. She was second in the Big Ten in steals and third in assists. Fox has continued to hone her skills and seems to be the next Gopher destined for a career in the WNBA. And, there is no denying it; she’s ready for an exciting senior season.
“Emmy’s confidence is definitely at a new and higher level coming into her senior season,” said Borton. “She has the experience of being a go-to player for us and has the confidence of not only a scorer but also a play maker. She’s a born winner and she has that look. That feel, that drive of a senior. She’s going to have her best season. She’s hungry and driven. There are very few who are as driven as Emmy Fox.”
Fox and backcourt partner Brittany McCoy have started every game for the Gophers over the last two seasons. The duo has responded by setting Minnesota history with back-to-back seasons where both dished out over 100 assists. That kind of experience and leadership from the guard position is a bonus for any coach.
“It’s a luxury for a coach to have two guards like Emmy and Brittany out there on the court running the team, making decisions and calling the shots,” stated Borton. “They have the experience and have earned the responsibility to lead this team from what they have done the last few years.”
The Gophers also return veterans Kay Sylva and Katie Ohm to the backcourt. Sylva, the team’s defensive player of the year last season, looks to take on a bigger role in her second year in the program.
“Kay is at a different comfort level this year,” Borton said. “Last year she played a very specific role for us as a defender. Now that she is more comfortable out there, she’s going to be much more of a leader.”
Ohm, who started the final 13 games of 2007-08, is known for her prolific outside shooting touch. She led the Big Ten in league play converting an impressive 46.2 percent from three-point field goal range. Ohm is coming off a season with 61 three-point field goals.
“Katie has really matured on the mental side of the game,” stated Borton. “We asked her to just make shots, whether she was starting or coming off the bench last season. She’s worked hard on her game to become more than an outside shooter for us.”
Rookies Buford and Brianna Mastey will get plenty of opportunities to contribute in the backcourt for the Gophers. Buford is a versatile guard that can play at either the point guard or shooting guard positions. She has the length and speed the Gophers seek in a perimeter player.
“Kiara has a great skill set coming in,” added Borton. “She has a high basketball IQ and a winning attitude and with two high school championships on her resume, she knows how to win. She has the talent to do a lot for this team.”
Brianna, the older of the Mastey twins by a minute, will focus on the off-guard position, but her versatility is a definite strength of which the Gophers look to capitalize upon. She has the athleticism, strength and explosiveness necessary to be an impact player at the collegiate level.
“Bri is going to be a force for us,” said Borton. “She has a great perimeter game, yet can play inside as well. Gopher fans are going to enjoy watching her play.”
Minnesota’s frontcourt is anchored by junior Ashley Ellis-Milan, a two-year starter and an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2007-08. Ellis-Milan has been the Gophers’ leading rebounder the past two seasons, but look for her to establish a bigger offensive presence this season.
“Ashley is one of the top rebounders and defenders in the Big Ten,” said Borton. “She has a nose for the ball and just loves to rebound and play defense. We will look to Ashley to play an expanded role for us this season. We need her to be a consistent all-around player for us this year.”
Zoe Harper is another player the Gophers need to step forward in the post. Harper has spent most of the last two seasons sharing time with Ellis-Milan at the center spot.
“Zoe has an important role in the big picture of the season,” said Borton. “We’re excited to see what she brings to the team this year.”
A pair of freshmen, Voigt and Nicole Mastey, will battle for playing time in the post as well. Tanisha Smith would have made it a trio, but the Gopher sophomore ruptured her Achilles tendon in her left ankle and is lost for the season.
Voigt will likely be in the hunt to replace the graduated Leslie Knight at the power forward position. The Gopher coaching staff loves her versatility, skill set and work ethic.
“Jackie is one of the most skilled post players at such a young age,” said Borton. “She has the skills of a guard, but plays power forward. Her inside/outside game is a wonderful asset to her game. She’s going to be looked at to play a large role on this team this year.”
Nicole Mastey will add needed depth in the post and the coaches have been pleased with her effort since she’s moved to campus. She has solid post moves, owns a strong frame to compete on the low block and a great work ethic.
“The freshmen have all improved during our preseason workouts,” added Borton. “Their work ethic will propel them to get better and bring much needed depth to our team.”
