University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Preview: Gophers vs Michigan State
1/7/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2018
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (12-4, 1-2) host the Michigan State Spartans (12-4, 2-1) for another Big Ten tilt this afternoon. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at 3 p.m.
Here are five things you need 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 21.7 points and 6.5 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA and first in the B1G. She has scored 171 points over the span of the Gophers last seven games and has scored at least 20 points in the last six games with two games of at least 30 point sin that span. Wagner, a Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, scored 16 points at Northwestern to move into fifth all-time on Minnesota's career scoring list (1,868). Wagner is second on the 3-point list (249) at Minnesota and is averaging 18.1 points per game this season.
2. Destiny Pitts has recorded dobule-figure points ten times this season and has four double-doubles. She recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first Big Ten game of her career at Northwestern. She also hit six three pointers in that game for the second time this season. Against Ohio State, her hot hand went a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the arc in the fourth quarter and she finished with a career high 28 points. Pitts has won four B1G Freshman of the Week honor swhich is tied for the most by any freshman in the conference this season.
3. Minnesota's scoring average of 86.1 points per game ranks third in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation. Minnesota also ranks second in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.37 as well as fewest turnovers at 204.
4. Minnesota calls the charity stripe and the three-point line home this season, ranking fifth nationally and second in the B1G in free-throws made (224). The Gophers' 74.9 free-throw percentageanks fourth 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.
5. Minnesota returns to Williams Arena where they are 7-1 this season. The Gophers dropped their only game of the season at home against Nebraksa on Dec. 31. Minnesota is 46-11 at home in head coach Marelene Stollings' tenure.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
• Michigan State is 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play. They are coming off a 81-51 over Northwestern.
• Head coach Suzy Merchant is in her 23rd season at Michigan State.
• Branndais Agee and Jenna Allen both lead the Spartans in scoring averaging 11.0 points a game.
• Averaging 44.1 rebounds a game, Michgan State has outrebounded their oppoents in their last four games. The Spartans currently lead the Big Ten in rebound margin and are 11th in the nation at 11.1.
• Four players average over 4.5 assists a game for the Sprtans. Their 18.5 assists per game mark ranks third in the Big Ten and 16th in the nation.
• The Spartans are 3-2 in away games this season.
| Minnesota (10-2) vs. UC Riverside (3-9) | |
| Date / Time | Sunday, Jan. 7 // 3 p.m. |
| Location | Williams Arena - Directions |
| Tickets | Click Here |
| Travel | Local Weather | Parking | Preferred Hotels |
| TV/Live Video | Big Ten Network // BTN2Go |
| Radio | 93.3 ALT FM // Listen Online // iHeart Radio App |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Updates | Game Day Live |
| Official Sites | Minnesota // UC Riverside |
| Social Media | @GopherWBB | Facebook | Instagram |
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (12-4, 1-2) host the Michigan State Spartans (12-4, 2-1) for another Big Ten tilt this afternoon. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at 3 p.m.
Here are five things you need 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 21.7 points and 6.5 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA and first in the B1G. She has scored 171 points over the span of the Gophers last seven games and has scored at least 20 points in the last six games with two games of at least 30 point sin that span. Wagner, a Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, scored 16 points at Northwestern to move into fifth all-time on Minnesota's career scoring list (1,868). Wagner is second on the 3-point list (249) at Minnesota and is averaging 18.1 points per game this season.
2. Destiny Pitts has recorded dobule-figure points ten times this season and has four double-doubles. She recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first Big Ten game of her career at Northwestern. She also hit six three pointers in that game for the second time this season. Against Ohio State, her hot hand went a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the arc in the fourth quarter and she finished with a career high 28 points. Pitts has won four B1G Freshman of the Week honor swhich is tied for the most by any freshman in the conference this season.
3. Minnesota's scoring average of 86.1 points per game ranks third in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation. Minnesota also ranks second in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.37 as well as fewest turnovers at 204.
4. Minnesota calls the charity stripe and the three-point line home this season, ranking fifth nationally and second in the B1G in free-throws made (224). The Gophers' 74.9 free-throw percentageanks fourth 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.
5. Minnesota returns to Williams Arena where they are 7-1 this season. The Gophers dropped their only game of the season at home against Nebraksa on Dec. 31. Minnesota is 46-11 at home in head coach Marelene Stollings' tenure.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
• Michigan State is 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play. They are coming off a 81-51 over Northwestern.
• Head coach Suzy Merchant is in her 23rd season at Michigan State.
• Branndais Agee and Jenna Allen both lead the Spartans in scoring averaging 11.0 points a game.
• Averaging 44.1 rebounds a game, Michgan State has outrebounded their oppoents in their last four games. The Spartans currently lead the Big Ten in rebound margin and are 11th in the nation at 11.1.
• Four players average over 4.5 assists a game for the Sprtans. Their 18.5 assists per game mark ranks third in the Big Ten and 16th in the nation.
• The Spartans are 3-2 in away games this season.
Players Mentioned
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