University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hold Evening Practice as Italy Trip Nears
8/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
It’s day three of a week of practices for the Golden Gopher women’s basketball team as they prepare for their trip to Italy.
During the week, Becky Bohm, the associate director of athletic communications, will post reports on the Gophers’ preparation for the first summer international tour in the program’s history.
Wednesday, August 13
It’s easy to forget that some of Gopher players are still in summer school, thus tonight’s evening practice. I should also give credit where credit is due. Tonight’s blog was contributed by Abby Kalland, the Gophers’ director of basketball operations.
Tonight is all about preparing the Gophers for game-like conditions in Italy, as they practiced at 7:30pm tonight a common tip-off time in one hot gym! With the temperature rising daily in the Barn, the players are sporting their practice jerseys that will act as game jerseys abroad, and the entire coaching staff is in shorts and t-shirts. But this is just even better preparation for the sizzling conditions of the Italian gyms.
Coach Borton started practice with a quick survey of soreness the players were honest, and “the legs are aching” on day three. But again, much needed preparation, as they’ll need top-level endurance to sightsee through out Italy, in addition to playing four fast-paced games. After everyone admitted to being a little sore, there was an audible outburst of giggles a fun way to start the two hours.
Assistant Ted Riverso is running practice today, with the help of Barb Smith and Marisa Moseley. Today’s emphasis is half-court breakdown with the entire team rather than the positional and individual skill work the Gophers have been focusing on over the summer. The Gophers will add a few more plays to their repertoire. They got off to a quick start and executed their half-court offensive sets very well; the first play of practice found Zoe wide open in the post where she executed an up-and under that was just too much for the scout boys. There is a lot of energy from the players and applause by the coaching staff.
Zone offense and defense are the main additions to the Gopher game plan today. The Gophers finally have the chance to go up and down the court, trying to score in only 24 seconds. The new rules take some adjusting, with the shorter shot clock being the biggest challenge. Additionally, Katie Ohm and Emmy Fox are becoming quite friendly with the longer three-point line...their hard work over the summer is showing now!
Practice has brought out the new and the old. It’s refreshing to see our clutch plays in action again the rip and drive to the basket by Ashley never gets old. A new feature of Gopher basketball finds Zoe and Doc practicing their perimeter defense tonight as the modus operandi of European posts is being able to post up and shoot from the outside.
In the team huddle at the end of practice, Ted summarized his thoughts: overall a pretty good outcome. He specifically gave accolades for the team’s improved ability to feed the post in the three-on-three setting. It looks like when put to the test, the Gophers are ready for Italy. For now however, since we’re still in Minnesota, the players will take full advantage of a chilly ice-bath, a luxury that is not easily found in Europe!
During the week, Becky Bohm, the associate director of athletic communications, will post reports on the Gophers’ preparation for the first summer international tour in the program’s history.
Wednesday, August 13
It’s easy to forget that some of Gopher players are still in summer school, thus tonight’s evening practice. I should also give credit where credit is due. Tonight’s blog was contributed by Abby Kalland, the Gophers’ director of basketball operations.
Tonight is all about preparing the Gophers for game-like conditions in Italy, as they practiced at 7:30pm tonight a common tip-off time in one hot gym! With the temperature rising daily in the Barn, the players are sporting their practice jerseys that will act as game jerseys abroad, and the entire coaching staff is in shorts and t-shirts. But this is just even better preparation for the sizzling conditions of the Italian gyms.
Coach Borton started practice with a quick survey of soreness the players were honest, and “the legs are aching” on day three. But again, much needed preparation, as they’ll need top-level endurance to sightsee through out Italy, in addition to playing four fast-paced games. After everyone admitted to being a little sore, there was an audible outburst of giggles a fun way to start the two hours.
Assistant Ted Riverso is running practice today, with the help of Barb Smith and Marisa Moseley. Today’s emphasis is half-court breakdown with the entire team rather than the positional and individual skill work the Gophers have been focusing on over the summer. The Gophers will add a few more plays to their repertoire. They got off to a quick start and executed their half-court offensive sets very well; the first play of practice found Zoe wide open in the post where she executed an up-and under that was just too much for the scout boys. There is a lot of energy from the players and applause by the coaching staff.
Zone offense and defense are the main additions to the Gopher game plan today. The Gophers finally have the chance to go up and down the court, trying to score in only 24 seconds. The new rules take some adjusting, with the shorter shot clock being the biggest challenge. Additionally, Katie Ohm and Emmy Fox are becoming quite friendly with the longer three-point line...their hard work over the summer is showing now!
Practice has brought out the new and the old. It’s refreshing to see our clutch plays in action again the rip and drive to the basket by Ashley never gets old. A new feature of Gopher basketball finds Zoe and Doc practicing their perimeter defense tonight as the modus operandi of European posts is being able to post up and shoot from the outside.
In the team huddle at the end of practice, Ted summarized his thoughts: overall a pretty good outcome. He specifically gave accolades for the team’s improved ability to feed the post in the three-on-three setting. It looks like when put to the test, the Gophers are ready for Italy. For now however, since we’re still in Minnesota, the players will take full advantage of a chilly ice-bath, a luxury that is not easily found in Europe!
Players Mentioned
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