The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (23-11, 8-10 B1G) will compete in the WBIT semifinals on Monday against the Florida Gators (19-17, 5-11 SEC). Tip off is set for 4 p.m. CT live from Indianapolis, Ind., at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Minnesota (23-11, 8-10 B1G) vs. Florida (19-17, 5-11 SEC)
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
Gopher Notables
• The WBIT bid marks Minnesota’s 18th postseason appearance and second consecutive season appearing in a national tournament.
• Last season, the Gophers made their seventh WNIT and advanced to the championship game for the first time in program history.
• Minnesota collected two All-Big Ten Awards at the end of the regular season, as voted on by the league’s coaches and media. Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski earned All-Big Ten Honorable mention nods, by both coaches and media. Senior Maggie Czinano was also named the team;s representative for the Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive season.
• Minnesota set a program record this season with 12 nonconference wins, surpassing the previous high of 11 set in seven different seasons, most recently in 2018-19.
• On three occasions this season, five Gophers have scored in double digits (Montana, Illinois, Ohio State).On 10 occasions, four have scored in double figures (Nebraska, Prairie View A&M, UMass Lowell, Illinois, Houston, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon).
• The Golden Gophers had 10 Academic All-Big Ten selections in Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Maggie Czinano, Grace Grocholski, Sophie Hart, Mallory Heyer, Niamya Holloway, Kennedy Klick and Brynn Senden.
• Battle, Grocholski, and Annika Stewart earned CSC Academic All-District nods last Tuesday.
WBIT Quarterfinal Recap
• Minnesota rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime after an eight-point deficit against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday evening.
• Amaya Battle had a record night, scoring 35 points and dishing out 10 assists, while adding five boards. She’s the first Gopher since 2002-03 to notch that stat line.
• Grace Grocholski added 20 points while playing all 45 minutes, it’s the seventh time Grocholski has played a full game. Freshman Tori McKinney had 19 points.
About the Florida Game
• Minnesota and Florida are meeting for the first time with the WBIT semi final appearance being the first in program history for the Gophers. Against the SEC (Southeastern Conference), the Maroon & Gold hold a record of 15-29.
• The Golden Gophers last meeting against a team from the SEC was against Kentucky last season. Minnesota defeated the Wildcats in Lexington, 76-57.
• The Gators are led by Liv McGill who is averaging 16.5 points per game on a 43.1% shooting clip. McGill also averages 4.4 boards per game and has 189 assists this season.
About the WBIT
• The Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament is in its second year as a 32-team postseason single-elimination tournament owned and funded by the NCAA.
• The competition is the second-best women’s basketball postseason tournament, behind the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
STEWART SPEAKS
Gopher senior center Annika Stewart spoke with Tanner Hoops in Indianapolis:
Annika Stewart (#21)
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
