The Washington Huskies (18-12, 9-9 B1G) are in Indianapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-8, 8-10 B1G) in the first round of the B1G 10 Tournament, on Wednesday, March 5th @ 12:30PM (also on the B1G + Network).
Washington is currently averaging 72.7 points per game, while holding opponents to 64.3 points per game.
The Huskies are shooting 37.5% on three-pointers overall; 35.5% on straightaway threes; and an excellent 42.5% on corner threes.
The Dawgs continue their high efficiency at-the-rim (within 4.5 feet) at 70.8% efficiency.
Washington’s scoring is now led by three players averaging over 10 points per game: junior guard Elle Ladine (17.0 points per game); sophomore guard Sayvia Sellers (averaging 15.3 ppg); and 6’4″ forward Dalayah Daniels (12.3 points per game).
Junior guard Hannah Stines averages 9.8 points per game.
Minnesota Gophers
Minnesota averages 73.8 points per game, while holding opponents to 60.6 points per game.
Minnesota shoots 32.0% on three-pointers overall; 33.5% on straightaway threes; and 26.4% on corner threes.
The Gophers make 65% of their attempts at-the-rim within 4.5 feet (368 for 566).
Minnesota makes only 36.8% from further away inside-the-paint (5 feet or more).
Minnesota shoots only 36.5% from the mid-range area (105 for 288 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 12.4 points per game; along with 4.8 rebounds; 2.8 assists; and 1.3 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 43.5% on mid-range attempts; and 68.1% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet.
Amaya Battle, a 5’11” junior guard, averages 11.9 points per game; along with 5.1 rebounds; a team-leading 4.2 assists; and a team-leading 1.8 steals.
Battle is a three-level scorer, although more of a volume scorer: making only 29.3% from three-point range overall; and only 56.2% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet. However, she is an excellent 43.0% on mid-range attempts.
Tori McKinney averages 10.1 points per game; along with 3.1 rebounds; 2.4 assists; and 1.3 steals.
McKinney is an inside-outside scorer: shooting 31.1% from three-point range overall; and an excellent 83.1% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet.
To secure the victory over Minnesota, the UW Huskies will need to:
(1) out-rebound Minnesota (38.6 total rebounds per game vs 34.4 per game by UW);
(2) limit the Gophers offensive rebounds to 10 or less (12.6 per game average by the Gophers);
(3) limit Minnesota’s second chance points to 10 or less (13.5 per game average);
(4) score more points-in-the-paint than the Gophers (34.4 per game vs. 34.5 per game by UW);
(5) efficiently execute Washington’s offense to limit turnovers to 10 or less (UW averages 15.1 per game), while forcing 12 or more turnovers by Minnesota (the Gophers average 11.2 per game); and
(6) make at least 33% of the Huskies’ three-point attempts — with at least eight (8) made threes.
Huskies Win Probability: 50%
This will be an even matchup on a neutral court resulting in a close 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!
Grocholski is an effective three-level scorer: shooting 34.0% from three-point range, including an excellent 41.7% on corner threes; an excellent 43.5% on mid-range attempts; and 68.1% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet.
Battle is a three-level scorer, although more of a volume scorer: making only 29.3% from three-point range overall; and only 56.2% finishing at-the-rim within 4.5 feet. However, she is an excellent 43.0% on mid-range attempts.