University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Preview: Gophers at Northwestern
12/27/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
| Minnesota (0-0, 11-2) at Northwestern (0-0, 7-7) | |
| Date / Time | Thursday, Dec. 28 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Beardsley Gym | Evanston, Ill. |
| TV/Live Video | No TV // BTN Plus |
| Radio | 93.3 ALT FM // Listen Online // iHeart Radio App |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| Live Updates | Game Day Live |
| Game Notes | Minnesota |
| Official Sites | Minnesota // Northwestern |
| Social Media | @GopherWBB | Facebook | Instagram |
Watch the Gophers This Sunday!
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (11-2) travels to Northwestern (7-7) for its first Big Ten matchup of the season.
Here are five things to know before tipoff:
1. Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell have been the Gophers' top two scorers for two seasons in a row. Bell, on the watch list for the Citizen Naismith Trophy (top player) and Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard), leads the team with averages of 20.8 points and 6.2 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the NCAA and first in the B1G. She has scored 115 points over the span of the Gophers last five games and has scored at least 20 points in the last four games. Wagner, a Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, scored 23 points on 8-of17 shooting, 5-of-11 from behind the arc against Cal Poly and followed it up with 23 against UC Riverside going 6-10 from behind the arc. She is averaging 18.8 points per game, and is currently sixth on Minnesota's career scoring list (1,841) and second on the 3-point list (244).
2. Minnesota's scoring average of 87.6 points per game ranks third in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation. They lead the Big Ten in rebounds and rebounds per game (45.77) and commit the second-fewest turnovers (12.6) per game. The Gophers' have attempted 277 free throws (third in the B1G) and have made 208 (second in the Big Ten and sixth in the NCAA). Minnesota's scoring margin (+18.3) is fifth in the conference.
3. Minnesota calls the charity stripe and the three-point line home this season, ranking sixth nationally and second in the B1G in free-throws made (208). The Gophers' 75.1 free-throw percentage ranks third in the B1G. From behind the arc, Minnesota is averaging 9.2 three-point field goals per game ranking second in the B1G and 24th in the nation. Carlie Wagner, Gadiva Hubbard and Destiny Pitts all rank in the NCAA in three-point field goals made.
4. Destiny Pitts has recorded dobule-figure points seven times this season. The three-time B1G Freshman of the Week honoree scored a late game layup against UC Riverside to put the Gophers into triple-digits for the fourth time this season.
5. The Gophers are 7-0 at Williams Arena this season. They are 46-10 at home during head coach Marlene Stollings' tenure. Minnesota's 7-0 start overall this season was the third best in program history.
Scouting the Wildcats
• Northwestern is 7-7 on the season. They average 62.7 points per game while allowing 60.6. They are out rebounding opponents 37.5 to 32.7 this season.
• Head coach Jon McKeown is in his 10th season at Northwestern and his 32nd season overall. He has guided the Wildcats to six winning seasons
• Freshman guard Lindsey Pulliam has been a breakout start for Northwestern. She is scoring 14.7 points per game. Pulliam or sophomore forward Abi Scheid have led the Wildcats in scoring in 11 of 14 games.
