The Washington Huskies (16-12, 7-9 B1G) are on the road to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-8, 8-8 B1G), on Wednesday, February 26th @ 5PM (also on the B1G + Network).
Washington is currently averaging 73.1 points per game, while holding opponents to 64.7 points per game.
The Huskies are shooting 36.7% on three-pointers overall; 34.2% on straightaway threes; and an excellent 43.4% on corner threes.
The Dawgs continue their high efficiency at-the-rim (within 4.5 feet) at 71.2% efficiency.
Washington’s scoring is now led by four players averaging over 10 points per game: junior guard Elle Ladine (16.7 points per game); sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers (averaging 15.5 ppg); 6’4″ forward Dalayah Daniels (12.2 points per game); and junior guard Hannah Stines averages 10.0 points per game.
Minnesota Gophers
Minnesota averages 74.8 points per game, while holding opponents to 59.8 points per game.
Minnesota shoots 32.5% on three-pointers overall; 34% on straightaway threes; and 26.5% on corner threes.
The Gophers make 64.6% of their attempts at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (345 for 534).
Minnesota makes only 36.9% from further away inside-the-paint (5 feet or more).
Minnesota shoots only 36.6% from the mid-range area (98 for 268 attempts).
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have three players averaging 10 points or more.
Mara Braun, a 6’0″ junior guard, is technically the leading scorer (13.6 ppg) for the Gophers in limited games (she suffered a broken foot on November 17th). Braun is out indefinitely and there is no word on whether she will return against Washington.
Grace Grocholski, a 5’10” wing guard, averages 12.0 points per game; along with 4.8 rebounds; 2.8 assists; and 1.1 steals.
Grocholski is an effective three-level scorer: shooting 34.0% from three-point range, including an excellent 41.7% on corner threes; an excellent 42.1% on mid-range attempts; and 67.2% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet.
Amaya Battle, a 5’11” junior guard, averages 12.0 points per game; along with 5.1 rebounds; 4.1 assists; and a team-leading 1.9 steals.
Battle is a three-level scorer, although more of a volume scorer: making only 29.9% from three-point range overall; and only 55.2% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet. However, she is an excellent 43.3% on mid-range attempts.
To secure the victory over Minnesota, the UW Huskies will need to:
(1) out-rebound Minnesota (39.3 total rebounds per game vs 34.8 per game by UW);
(2) limit the Gophers offensive rebounds to 10 or less (12.8 per game average by the Gophers);
(3) limit Minnesota’s second chance points to 10 or less (13.8 per game average);
(4) score more points-in-the-paint than the Gophers (34.8 per game vs. 34.9 per game by UW);
(5) efficiently execute Washington’s offense to limit turnovers to 10 or less (UW averages 15.3 per game), while forcing 12 or more turnovers by Minnesota(the Gophers average 11.1 per game); and
(6) make at least 33% of the Huskies’ three-point attempts — with at least eight (8) made threes.
Huskies Win Probability: 58%
This will likely be a defensive battle that will be decided by turnovers, rebounds and points-in-the-paint. However, if the Huskies can also get hot from three-point range, the Gophers will struggle to keep up.
GO HUSKIES!
