University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Attend Big Ten Basketball Media Day
10/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The annual Big Ten Basketball Media Day was held in Chicago on Thursday, with Minnesota head coach Pam Borton, and seniors Ashley Ellis-Milan and Brittany McCoy representing the Golden Gophers women’s basketball team at the event.
The Big Ten released the preseason polls of both the Conference coaches and media. The coaches predicted the Gophers to finish third, while the media tabbed Minnesota to finish fourth in the league standings. Ohio State was the favorite in both polls to repeat as the Big Ten team champion. Michigan State was picked to finish second.
“I was not surprised (about the Gophers being picked third),” said Borton. “We’re returning a veteran team. The teams ahead of us are pretty obvious for preseason picks with Michigan State returning a lot of seniors and Ohio State returning the Big Ten Defensive, Rookie and Player of the Year. I think a lot of people have respect for our program, the four returning starters from our team and how we finished last year.”
The 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender was tabbed as the Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year. Lavender was joined by Jenna Smith (Illinois), Allyssa DeHaan (Michigan State), Samantha Prahaulis (Ohio State) and Tyra Grant (Penn State) on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Minnesota plays its first exhibition game of the season on Thursday, Nov. 4 versus Winona State. The Gophers open the regular season at home on Sunday, Nov. 15 versus Lamar.
The Big Ten released the preseason polls of both the Conference coaches and media. The coaches predicted the Gophers to finish third, while the media tabbed Minnesota to finish fourth in the league standings. Ohio State was the favorite in both polls to repeat as the Big Ten team champion. Michigan State was picked to finish second.
“I was not surprised (about the Gophers being picked third),” said Borton. “We’re returning a veteran team. The teams ahead of us are pretty obvious for preseason picks with Michigan State returning a lot of seniors and Ohio State returning the Big Ten Defensive, Rookie and Player of the Year. I think a lot of people have respect for our program, the four returning starters from our team and how we finished last year.”
The 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender was tabbed as the Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year. Lavender was joined by Jenna Smith (Illinois), Allyssa DeHaan (Michigan State), Samantha Prahaulis (Ohio State) and Tyra Grant (Penn State) on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Minnesota plays its first exhibition game of the season on Thursday, Nov. 4 versus Winona State. The Gophers open the regular season at home on Sunday, Nov. 15 versus Lamar.
Players Mentioned
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