Golden Gophers Face Road Test Against Drake Bulldogs
Table of Contents
Minnesota women’s basketball (8-3, 0-1 big Ten) seeks to rebound from its conference opener as it travels to Des Moines, Iowa, to face the Drake Bulldogs (2-8, 1-0 Missouri Valley) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and broadcast on KFAN+.
The Golden Gophers,currently ranked No.16 in the NET rankings, are looking to regain momentum after a tough loss to begin Big Ten play. Minnesota is one of nine conference teams currently featured in the top 25 national rankings, highlighting the competitive landscape of the Big Ten.
Gophers Boast Impressive Offensive Firepower
Minnesota’s offense is fueled by a trio of experienced players, with Mara Braun and grace Grocholski recently surpassing the 1,000-career-point milestone. Brylee Glenn is also closing in on the mark, currently with 888 career points. Glenn showcased her scoring prowess against Wyoming, achieving a perfect shooting performance – 6 of 6 from the field and 2 of 2 from beyond the arc – for a total of 14 points.
Sophomore Tori McKinney has emerged as a key contributor, nearly doubling her scoring average from last season. Averaging 13.7 points per game this season on 52.3% shooting, McKinney consistently reaches double figures, a testament to her growing impact on the team.
The Gophers’ offensive efficiency was on full display against Wyoming, where they recorded season highs in both field-goal percentage (55.9%) and 3-point percentage (53.3%). This performance marked their highest shooting output as a 55% showing against Northwestern last season. Notably, Minnesota has had at least four players score in double figures in each of their last three games, demonstrating a balanced attack. Against No. 7 Maryland,Grocholski delivered a career-high 31 points,including nine 3-pointers,ranking as the second-most 3-pointers made by a Gopher in a single game.She currently ranks eighth nationally in 3-point percentage, shooting at a remarkable 50.9%.
Defensive Prowess a Key Strength
Beyond scoring, the Gophers excel defensively and in ball control. The team ranks fifth nationally and second in the Big Ten in assist-to-turnover ratio (212/112), fourth in the NCAA and second in the conference in fewest turnovers per game (10.2), and fifth nationally and second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (50.7 points per game).
Series History favors Drake
The all-time series between Minnesota and Drake is closely contested, with the Bulldogs holding a 10-7 advantage dating back to 1979. Their most recent matchup in 2023 was a thrilling double-overtime affair at Williams Arena, ultimately resulting in a 94-88 victory for the Gophers, fueled by 33 points from Braun. Minnesota boasts a 32-16 all-time record against teams from the Missouri Valley Conference.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Drake is led by head coach Allison Pohlman, who is entering her fifth season. Last season,Pohlman guided the Bulldogs to a 22-12 overall record and a 15-5 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play,becoming the first Drake coach to achieve 20 or more wins in her first four seasons.
Currently,the Bulldogs are spearheaded by Abbie Aalsma,averaging 15.3 points per game, and grace Knutson, averaging 13.1 points per game. Both players have started in all 10 games this season. Drake recently snapped a seven-game losing streak with a decisive 97-77 victory over Illinois State to begin conference play.
