University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, February 7
Columbus, Ohio
12:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Ohio State
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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Minnesota Heads to No. 11/13 Ohio State Sunday
2/6/2021 10:31:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- Winners of three of its last four, Minnesota (5-8, 4-7 Big Ten) visits No. 11/13 Ohio State (11-2, 7-2 B1G) Sunday at noon.
The game, which is the only scheduled matchup between the schools this year, will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus and can be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
FACING OHIO STATE
LAST SEASON AGAINST THE BUCKEYES
RECAPPING THE GAME AGAINST IOWA
POWELL, GOPHERS IMPROVING FROM LONG RANGE
SISSOKO, SCONIERS AMONG BIG TEN'S MOST IMPROVED
BIG TEN RANKINGS
GOPHERS ENDURING DESPITE CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
GOPHERS GAINING EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG ROSTER
The game, which is the only scheduled matchup between the schools this year, will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus and can be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
• Minnesota was scheduled to play at No. 13/12 Michigan on Thursday, Feb. 4, but the game was postponed when the Wolverines announced a two-week shutdown of their athletic department on Jan. 23. No makeup date has been determined at this point.
• Jasmine Powell leads the Gophers with a scoring average of 16.2 points per game this season. She has scored at least 11 points in each of the last 15 games dating to last season and has made three or more 3-pointers in six of the last eight contests. In addition to her scoring prowess, which ranks 14th in the Big Ten, Powell is second in the conference and 13th nationally with her 6.0 assists per game. She is one of only three players in the country to be averaging at least 16.0 points and 6.0 assists this season along with Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.6 points, 6.8 assists) and UConn's Paige Bueckers (19.6, 6.0).
• After missing the first two games of the season, Sara Scalia averaged 8.0 points over her first three contests and was shooting 23.5 percent from the floor (8-34) and 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20). However, she has averaged 17.7 points over her last seven contests while shooting 41.4 percent on field goals (41-99) and 38.8 percent on 3's (26-67). She missed the Jan. 10 contest with Penn State but has scored at least 14 points in each of her last six games, including a career-high 30 against Purdue on Jan. 28. It was the first 30-point game by the Gophers since Dec. of 2018. Scalia has made four or more 3-pointers in four of her last six outings, including a career-best six versus Purdue.
• In the season opener, Kadi Sissoko scored 24 points in her first game at Minnesota to tie a school record for points a Gophers debut (Kenisha Bell vs. VCU, 11/15/16). Sissoko has recorded two double-doubles this season and has been close to adding to that total in two other games with 8 points and 9 rebounds at Nebraska (1/19) and 15 points and 8 boards at Penn State (1/25). Sissoko is third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (3.62) and is the team's top rebounder (6.7).
• After scoring a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin (1/3), Gadiva Hubbard had her scoring average at a season-best 12.8 points per game. However, she scored only 14 points in her next three games while shooting 24.0 percent from the floor (6-25) and 5.9 percent on 3-pointers (1-17). She's since broken out of that mini-slump, though, by scoring 18 points in each of her last two games and improving her shooting: 11-22 from the field (50.0 percent) and 7-17 (41.2) on 3's. She has missed the last two contests due to injury, but her scoring average is back up to 11.5 per contest and she's averaged 6.5 rebounds in her last two games after posting 3.1 over her first nine games.
• The Gophers are 3-2 on the road this season with wins at Wisconsin, Nebraska and Penn State and losses at Northwestern and Iowa. Like she is for the season and league play, Powell is the team's top scorer on the road at 15.0 points per game. Meanwhile, Sissoko is nearly averaging a double-double away from home with 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. In fact, her two double-doubles this season both came on the road with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Badgers and 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Hawkeyes. Also averaging double figures for Minnesota on the road are Scalia (14.0) and Hubbard (13.8).
• Jasmine Powell leads the Gophers with a scoring average of 16.2 points per game this season. She has scored at least 11 points in each of the last 15 games dating to last season and has made three or more 3-pointers in six of the last eight contests. In addition to her scoring prowess, which ranks 14th in the Big Ten, Powell is second in the conference and 13th nationally with her 6.0 assists per game. She is one of only three players in the country to be averaging at least 16.0 points and 6.0 assists this season along with Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.6 points, 6.8 assists) and UConn's Paige Bueckers (19.6, 6.0).
• After missing the first two games of the season, Sara Scalia averaged 8.0 points over her first three contests and was shooting 23.5 percent from the floor (8-34) and 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20). However, she has averaged 17.7 points over her last seven contests while shooting 41.4 percent on field goals (41-99) and 38.8 percent on 3's (26-67). She missed the Jan. 10 contest with Penn State but has scored at least 14 points in each of her last six games, including a career-high 30 against Purdue on Jan. 28. It was the first 30-point game by the Gophers since Dec. of 2018. Scalia has made four or more 3-pointers in four of her last six outings, including a career-best six versus Purdue.
• In the season opener, Kadi Sissoko scored 24 points in her first game at Minnesota to tie a school record for points a Gophers debut (Kenisha Bell vs. VCU, 11/15/16). Sissoko has recorded two double-doubles this season and has been close to adding to that total in two other games with 8 points and 9 rebounds at Nebraska (1/19) and 15 points and 8 boards at Penn State (1/25). Sissoko is third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (3.62) and is the team's top rebounder (6.7).
• After scoring a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin (1/3), Gadiva Hubbard had her scoring average at a season-best 12.8 points per game. However, she scored only 14 points in her next three games while shooting 24.0 percent from the floor (6-25) and 5.9 percent on 3-pointers (1-17). She's since broken out of that mini-slump, though, by scoring 18 points in each of her last two games and improving her shooting: 11-22 from the field (50.0 percent) and 7-17 (41.2) on 3's. She has missed the last two contests due to injury, but her scoring average is back up to 11.5 per contest and she's averaged 6.5 rebounds in her last two games after posting 3.1 over her first nine games.
• The Gophers are 3-2 on the road this season with wins at Wisconsin, Nebraska and Penn State and losses at Northwestern and Iowa. Like she is for the season and league play, Powell is the team's top scorer on the road at 15.0 points per game. Meanwhile, Sissoko is nearly averaging a double-double away from home with 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. In fact, her two double-doubles this season both came on the road with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Badgers and 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Hawkeyes. Also averaging double figures for Minnesota on the road are Scalia (14.0) and Hubbard (13.8).
FACING OHIO STATE
• Minnesota and Ohio State will meet for the 78th time on Sunday. It's Minnesota's third-most played series behind only Iowa (82 meetings) and Wisconsin (80).
• Series history has not been in the Gophers' favor as they trail the Buckeyes, 61-16, and have lost eight straight. The eight-game losing streak is their longest active streak against one team, while the 61 all-time losses are their most against any other program.
• In Columbus, Ohio State holds a 28-3 series lead, including each of the last three. Prior to that, the Gophers had won two straight on the road against OSU.
• Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen was teammates with Ohio State assistant coach Tamika Jeter during the 2008 WNBA season with the Connecticut Sun.
• Ohio State is 11-2 overall on the season and 7-2 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes won their first seven games of the season, and have won four of their last five since suffering their first loss of the season. OSU's win total includes a three-game stretch that saw victories over then-No. 11 Michigan, then-No. 7 Maryland and then-No. 16 Indiana.
• Jacy Sheldon leads the team in scoring at 17.0 points per game, while Dorka Juhasz is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points and a team-high 11.3 rebounds. Also in double figures for OSU is Madison Greene (13.7), Aaliyah Patty (12.1) and Braxtin Miller (11.6).
• Juhasz is second in the Big Ten and 17th nationally in both rebound average and offensive rebounds per game (4.0). In addition, she's third in the conference with seven double-doubles this year.
• As a team, Ohio State leads the Big Ten and is sixth in the country by holding opponents to just .235 percent shooting on 3-pointers. The Buckeyes are also third in the league with 83.1 points per game (10th nationally) and 11.9 turnovers committed per game (11th).
• Series history has not been in the Gophers' favor as they trail the Buckeyes, 61-16, and have lost eight straight. The eight-game losing streak is their longest active streak against one team, while the 61 all-time losses are their most against any other program.
• In Columbus, Ohio State holds a 28-3 series lead, including each of the last three. Prior to that, the Gophers had won two straight on the road against OSU.
• Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen was teammates with Ohio State assistant coach Tamika Jeter during the 2008 WNBA season with the Connecticut Sun.
• Ohio State is 11-2 overall on the season and 7-2 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes won their first seven games of the season, and have won four of their last five since suffering their first loss of the season. OSU's win total includes a three-game stretch that saw victories over then-No. 11 Michigan, then-No. 7 Maryland and then-No. 16 Indiana.
• Jacy Sheldon leads the team in scoring at 17.0 points per game, while Dorka Juhasz is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points and a team-high 11.3 rebounds. Also in double figures for OSU is Madison Greene (13.7), Aaliyah Patty (12.1) and Braxtin Miller (11.6).
• Juhasz is second in the Big Ten and 17th nationally in both rebound average and offensive rebounds per game (4.0). In addition, she's third in the conference with seven double-doubles this year.
• As a team, Ohio State leads the Big Ten and is sixth in the country by holding opponents to just .235 percent shooting on 3-pointers. The Buckeyes are also third in the league with 83.1 points per game (10th nationally) and 11.9 turnovers committed per game (11th).
LAST SEASON AGAINST THE BUCKEYES
• Minnesota and Ohio State met three times last season with the Buckeyes taking all three.
• Minnesota saw its 11-game win streak end on Dec. 31, 2019, in a 66-63 loss to Ohio State at Williams Arena.
• Destiny Pitts led all scorers with 26 points while Taiye Bello had a double-double with with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Of her 14 rebounds, 11 came on the defensive end. Jasmine Brunson also reached double figures as she posted 13 points.
• The Gophers found themselves down 16-15 early in the second before the Buckeyes went on a 16-3 run to go up 32-18 with 2:24 left in the first half.
• The Gophers finished the first half on 10-2 run to trail 34-28 going into halftime. Minnesota carried that momentum into the second half as it scored the first 10 points to extend their run to 20-2 and a 38-34 lead just over four minutes into the third quarter. Pitts had 10 of the team's 20 points during the run, while Bello had six.
• In the fourth quarter, Pitts' fifth 3-pointer of the game put Minnesota up 63-59 with 2:55 to go, but that would be the team's final basket of the game as Ohio State scored the final seven points.
• Gadiva Hubbard joined the 1,000-point club but the Golden Gophers fell on the road, 99-76, at Ohio State on Feb. 13, 2020.
• With 5:58 left in the third quarter, Hubbard stepped to the line with 999 points and made both free throws to become the 26th player in Gophers history to reach 1,000 career points. She finished with 10 points on the night to go with five rebounds and three assists.
• Jasmine Powell was the top scorer for Minnesota, notching 21 points. Most of her work came at the free throw line as she was 14-of-15. Both numbers were career highs, while the 14 made free throws tied for the fourth most in a game in team history.
• Bello recorded 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds, while Sara Scalia matched Bello's 14 points and Masha Adashchyk added 10 points off the bench.
• The game was tied 24-24 after the first quarter, but Ohio State pulled away in the second, outscoring Minnesota, 25-13. The Golden Gophers led 28-27 at one point but the Buckeyes went on a 12-2 run to take control. The lead was 49-37 for OSU at the half.
• Minnesota came out strong from the locker room, scoring eight of the first 10 points in the third quarter to get within six at 51-45. However, Ohio State rattled off an 8-2 run of its own immediately after that and led by double digits the rest of the way.
• The teams met once more in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament with Ohio State prevailing, 77-56.
• Ohio State jumped out to a 13-3 lead early and then saw that advantage swell to 23-6 late in the first quarter. Minnesota then outscored the Buckeyes 22-16 in the second quarter to trail by 39-33 at the half.
• Minnesota's surge continued in the third quarter and into the fourth, as the Gophers cut the deficit to 54-50 after Hubbard made two free throws with 9:48 left in the game. Four points was as close as Minnesota would get though, as Ohio State pulled away in the final frame and outscored the Gophers 23-6 the rest of the way.
• Powell (14) and Brunson (11) led the way in scoring, while Bello grabbed 10 rebounds.
• Minnesota saw its 11-game win streak end on Dec. 31, 2019, in a 66-63 loss to Ohio State at Williams Arena.
• Destiny Pitts led all scorers with 26 points while Taiye Bello had a double-double with with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Of her 14 rebounds, 11 came on the defensive end. Jasmine Brunson also reached double figures as she posted 13 points.
• The Gophers found themselves down 16-15 early in the second before the Buckeyes went on a 16-3 run to go up 32-18 with 2:24 left in the first half.
• The Gophers finished the first half on 10-2 run to trail 34-28 going into halftime. Minnesota carried that momentum into the second half as it scored the first 10 points to extend their run to 20-2 and a 38-34 lead just over four minutes into the third quarter. Pitts had 10 of the team's 20 points during the run, while Bello had six.
• In the fourth quarter, Pitts' fifth 3-pointer of the game put Minnesota up 63-59 with 2:55 to go, but that would be the team's final basket of the game as Ohio State scored the final seven points.
• Gadiva Hubbard joined the 1,000-point club but the Golden Gophers fell on the road, 99-76, at Ohio State on Feb. 13, 2020.
• With 5:58 left in the third quarter, Hubbard stepped to the line with 999 points and made both free throws to become the 26th player in Gophers history to reach 1,000 career points. She finished with 10 points on the night to go with five rebounds and three assists.
• Jasmine Powell was the top scorer for Minnesota, notching 21 points. Most of her work came at the free throw line as she was 14-of-15. Both numbers were career highs, while the 14 made free throws tied for the fourth most in a game in team history.
• Bello recorded 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds, while Sara Scalia matched Bello's 14 points and Masha Adashchyk added 10 points off the bench.
• The game was tied 24-24 after the first quarter, but Ohio State pulled away in the second, outscoring Minnesota, 25-13. The Golden Gophers led 28-27 at one point but the Buckeyes went on a 12-2 run to take control. The lead was 49-37 for OSU at the half.
• Minnesota came out strong from the locker room, scoring eight of the first 10 points in the third quarter to get within six at 51-45. However, Ohio State rattled off an 8-2 run of its own immediately after that and led by double digits the rest of the way.
• The teams met once more in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament with Ohio State prevailing, 77-56.
• Ohio State jumped out to a 13-3 lead early and then saw that advantage swell to 23-6 late in the first quarter. Minnesota then outscored the Buckeyes 22-16 in the second quarter to trail by 39-33 at the half.
• Minnesota's surge continued in the third quarter and into the fourth, as the Gophers cut the deficit to 54-50 after Hubbard made two free throws with 9:48 left in the game. Four points was as close as Minnesota would get though, as Ohio State pulled away in the final frame and outscored the Gophers 23-6 the rest of the way.
• Powell (14) and Brunson (11) led the way in scoring, while Bello grabbed 10 rebounds.
RECAPPING THE GAME AGAINST IOWA
• Minnesota saw its three-game win streak come to an end Sunday in a 94-68 loss to Iowa at Williams Arena.
• Sara Scalia led the way for the Golden Gophers with a team-high 16 points, while Jasmine Powell also reached double figures with 12 points and added five rebounds and five assists.
• Klarke Sconiers pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds to go with five points. Her total rebounds were the most by a Gopher this season, as were her seven offensive boards.
• Neither team led by more than six in a tight first quarter as Iowa led 21-17 through 10 minutes. The Hawkeyes' lead grew to 14 points in the second quarter at 43-29 with 2:29 to play in the opening half, but the Gophers finished the first half with momentum as they closed out the second quarter on a 12-4 run.
• In the third quarter, the Gophers got within five at 50-45 but Iowa went on a 16-2 run to take control of the game.
• Leading 73-49 through three quarters, the final quarter allowed for members of the Minnesota bench to get playing time as Caroline Strande responded with seven points and an assist in five minutes, while Katie Borowicz notched a 3-pointer and two assists.
• Sara Scalia led the way for the Golden Gophers with a team-high 16 points, while Jasmine Powell also reached double figures with 12 points and added five rebounds and five assists.
• Klarke Sconiers pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds to go with five points. Her total rebounds were the most by a Gopher this season, as were her seven offensive boards.
• Neither team led by more than six in a tight first quarter as Iowa led 21-17 through 10 minutes. The Hawkeyes' lead grew to 14 points in the second quarter at 43-29 with 2:29 to play in the opening half, but the Gophers finished the first half with momentum as they closed out the second quarter on a 12-4 run.
• In the third quarter, the Gophers got within five at 50-45 but Iowa went on a 16-2 run to take control of the game.
• Leading 73-49 through three quarters, the final quarter allowed for members of the Minnesota bench to get playing time as Caroline Strande responded with seven points and an assist in five minutes, while Katie Borowicz notched a 3-pointer and two assists.
POWELL, GOPHERS IMPROVING FROM LONG RANGE
• Sophomore Jasmine Powell has improved her 3-point shooting between the first two years of her career.
• As a freshman, Powell was 30-of-100 on 3-pointers, shooting 30 percent from long range and making 0.96 3-pointers per contest over 31 games. But this year in just 13 games, she's already 31-of-87 on 3's while shooting 35.6 percent and making 2.4 per game.
• She ranks fourth in the Big Ten in 3's made and attempted, 3's made per game and 3-point percentage.
• This season, Powell has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 of 13 contests, including eight games with at least three made and two games of a career-high four made 3's. She's made at least three 3-pointers in six of her last eight outings.
• As a team, the Gophers have seen notable improvement in 3-pointers as of late. Through the first eight games, the team was shooting a combined 28.6 percent (57-199) from long range, but in the five games since they're shooting 38.5 percent (45-117).
• During the five-game stretch, Powell is 11-27 (40.7 percent) on 3's, Sara Scalia is shooting 19-49 (38.8) and Gadiva Hubbard is 7-20 (35.0). Seven Gophers have taken at least two 3-pointers in the last five games and six boast a shooting percentage higher than .333 in that span.
• The team currently ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made and attempted (102-316) and 3's made per game (7.8) and sixth in percentage (.323).
• As a freshman, Powell was 30-of-100 on 3-pointers, shooting 30 percent from long range and making 0.96 3-pointers per contest over 31 games. But this year in just 13 games, she's already 31-of-87 on 3's while shooting 35.6 percent and making 2.4 per game.
• She ranks fourth in the Big Ten in 3's made and attempted, 3's made per game and 3-point percentage.
• This season, Powell has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 of 13 contests, including eight games with at least three made and two games of a career-high four made 3's. She's made at least three 3-pointers in six of her last eight outings.
• As a team, the Gophers have seen notable improvement in 3-pointers as of late. Through the first eight games, the team was shooting a combined 28.6 percent (57-199) from long range, but in the five games since they're shooting 38.5 percent (45-117).
• During the five-game stretch, Powell is 11-27 (40.7 percent) on 3's, Sara Scalia is shooting 19-49 (38.8) and Gadiva Hubbard is 7-20 (35.0). Seven Gophers have taken at least two 3-pointers in the last five games and six boast a shooting percentage higher than .333 in that span.
• The team currently ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made and attempted (102-316) and 3's made per game (7.8) and sixth in percentage (.323).
SISSOKO, SCONIERS AMONG BIG TEN'S MOST IMPROVED
• Kadi Sissoko has recorded the second biggest increase in both rebounding average and scoring average in all of the Big Ten from her last season of competition to this year.
• As a freshman at Syracuse in 2018-19, Sissoko averaged 1.8 rebounds per game. But this year, her rebounding average stands at 6.7. That increase of 4.9 rebounds per game is second best in the conference. Meanwhile, Klarke Sconiers' increase of 3.5 rebounds per game is ninth best in the league.
• Sissoko is also second among the most improved scorers in the league as she has gone from 3.2 points per game as a freshman to 12.4 this year.
• As a freshman at Syracuse in 2018-19, Sissoko averaged 1.8 rebounds per game. But this year, her rebounding average stands at 6.7. That increase of 4.9 rebounds per game is second best in the conference. Meanwhile, Klarke Sconiers' increase of 3.5 rebounds per game is ninth best in the league.
• Sissoko is also second among the most improved scorers in the league as she has gone from 3.2 points per game as a freshman to 12.4 this year.
FACING THE RANKED
PUTTING THE 'SUPER' IN SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
• Ohio State enters Sunday's game ranked No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll. It will be the fourth ranked team the Gophers have faced this year after losses to then-No. 16/17 Northwestern on Dec. 14, then-No. 19/18 Indiana on Dec. 23 and then-No. 9/9 Maryland on Jan. 14.
• Minnesota is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak against ranked teams. It's last win was over No. 19 Arizona State on Nov. 17, 2019.
• Minnesota is 1-9 all-time against the No. 11 team in the AP Poll, though the most recent matchup against such a team last came in February of 2012.
• Minnesota is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak against ranked teams. It's last win was over No. 19 Arizona State on Nov. 17, 2019.
• Minnesota is 1-9 all-time against the No. 11 team in the AP Poll, though the most recent matchup against such a team last came in February of 2012.
PUTTING THE 'SUPER' IN SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
• Minnesota has won its last two games played on Super Bowl Sunday and three of its last four. There have been some standout performances in those games, as well.
• Last year, Taiye Bello scored 19 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, including 14 on the defensive end, in a 73-71 double overtime win over Rutgers. It tied for the fifth most rebounds in a game in program history and tied for 10th most in Big Ten annals.
• In 2019, Bello had another monster game against the Scarlet Knights with 11 points and 21 rebounds in a 60-46 upset of then-No. 17 Rutgers.
• Back in 2016, Rachel Banham tied the NCAA singe-game scoring record with 60 points in a 112-106 double overtime win at Northwestern.
• Last year, Taiye Bello scored 19 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, including 14 on the defensive end, in a 73-71 double overtime win over Rutgers. It tied for the fifth most rebounds in a game in program history and tied for 10th most in Big Ten annals.
• In 2019, Bello had another monster game against the Scarlet Knights with 11 points and 21 rebounds in a 60-46 upset of then-No. 17 Rutgers.
• Back in 2016, Rachel Banham tied the NCAA singe-game scoring record with 60 points in a 112-106 double overtime win at Northwestern.
BIG TEN RANKINGS
• The Gophers have four players averaging double figures in Big Ten play with Jasmine Powell leading the way at 15.3 points per game. Sara Scalia is behind her at 14.8, while Gadiva Hubbard is at 11.6 and Kadi Sissoko is averaging 11.4 points per game. Sissoko also has a team-best 6.4 rebounds per contest in B1G play.
• In Big Ten play, the Gophers rank third in 3's made per game (8.2) and fifth in free throw percentage (.749) and 3-point percentage (.327).
• Powell ranks fourth in assists per game (5.7) and 3's made per game (2.36), 10th in free throw percentage (.792), 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.43), 15th in minutes played (33.24) and 19th in scoring average.
• Scalia is third in 3's made per game (3.0) and 3-point percentage (.345) and 20th in scoring.
• Sissoko sits fourth in offensive rebounds (3.27), while Hubbard ranks 11th in 3's made per game (1.78) and Klarke Sconiers is 13th in blocks per game (0.91).
• In Big Ten play, the Gophers rank third in 3's made per game (8.2) and fifth in free throw percentage (.749) and 3-point percentage (.327).
• Powell ranks fourth in assists per game (5.7) and 3's made per game (2.36), 10th in free throw percentage (.792), 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.43), 15th in minutes played (33.24) and 19th in scoring average.
• Scalia is third in 3's made per game (3.0) and 3-point percentage (.345) and 20th in scoring.
• Sissoko sits fourth in offensive rebounds (3.27), while Hubbard ranks 11th in 3's made per game (1.78) and Klarke Sconiers is 13th in blocks per game (0.91).
GOPHERS ENDURING DESPITE CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
• Minnesota is 5-8 on the season and 4-7 in Big Ten play after winning three of its past four, though the team started has faced a difficult schedule.
• The teams the Gophers have played have a combined record of 112-81 (.580), including a 78-38 (.672) mark for the teams against which they've lost.
• The .580 opponent win percentage ties Minnesota with Purdue for the highest mark in the Big Ten.
• Five of the seven losses in Big Ten play have come against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25: No. 10 Maryland (13-2), No. 17 Indiana (10-4), No. 20 Northwestern (10-3) and RV Iowa (10-5, twice).
• The teams the Gophers have played have a combined record of 112-81 (.580), including a 78-38 (.672) mark for the teams against which they've lost.
• The .580 opponent win percentage ties Minnesota with Purdue for the highest mark in the Big Ten.
• Five of the seven losses in Big Ten play have come against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25: No. 10 Maryland (13-2), No. 17 Indiana (10-4), No. 20 Northwestern (10-3) and RV Iowa (10-5, twice).
GOPHERS GAINING EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG ROSTER
• With 10 of its 13 players either freshmen or sophomores, no team in the Big Ten has a higher percentage of its roster comprised of underclassmen than Minnesota's 76.9 percent. Wisconsin (73.3 percent) is the only other team at 70 percent or higher.
• Through Feb. 4, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 10,041 minutes, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten. For comparison, Purdue leads the conference with a combined 16,750 minutes and Sunday's opponent, Ohio State, ranks seventh at 12,437.
• Redshirt senior Gadiva Hubbard (3,182) accounts for nearly a third of the Gophers' career minutes herself. The other two upperclassmen are graduate transfer Laura Bagwell Katalinich (1,675) and junior Kayla Mershon (1,078). Bagwell Katalinich missed the first three games this season due to injury, while Mershon sat out the first four due to NCAA transfer rules. Those three combine for nearly 60 percent of the Gophers' career minutes.
• Of the 13 Gophers on the roster this year, six are playing in their first season of collegiate basketball and three are playing in their first year at Minnesota.
• If the minutes are limited to only in their time within the program, the Gophers have a combined 7,463, which would rank 13th in the conference, and Hubbard would account for 42.6 percent of those minutes.
• Meanwhile, Hubbard (-2.1 minutes per game) and Sara Scalia (+0.4) have seen their playing time stay relatively similar to last year, while Jasmine Powell (+8.0) and Klarke Sconiers (+7.9) have both seen notable increases in their playing time.
• Through Feb. 4, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 10,041 minutes, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten. For comparison, Purdue leads the conference with a combined 16,750 minutes and Sunday's opponent, Ohio State, ranks seventh at 12,437.
• Redshirt senior Gadiva Hubbard (3,182) accounts for nearly a third of the Gophers' career minutes herself. The other two upperclassmen are graduate transfer Laura Bagwell Katalinich (1,675) and junior Kayla Mershon (1,078). Bagwell Katalinich missed the first three games this season due to injury, while Mershon sat out the first four due to NCAA transfer rules. Those three combine for nearly 60 percent of the Gophers' career minutes.
• Of the 13 Gophers on the roster this year, six are playing in their first season of collegiate basketball and three are playing in their first year at Minnesota.
• If the minutes are limited to only in their time within the program, the Gophers have a combined 7,463, which would rank 13th in the conference, and Hubbard would account for 42.6 percent of those minutes.
• Meanwhile, Hubbard (-2.1 minutes per game) and Sara Scalia (+0.4) have seen their playing time stay relatively similar to last year, while Jasmine Powell (+8.0) and Klarke Sconiers (+7.9) have both seen notable increases in their playing time.
Making Connections: Sophie Hart & Zoey Bershers
Friday, October 17
Behind the Scenes: B1G Media Day
Tuesday, October 14
Braun & Battle at B1G Media Day
Wednesday, October 08
Coach Plitzuweit at B1G Media Day
Wednesday, October 08