Game 14
Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-4, 1-1)
vs.
Illinois Illini (4-10, 0-3)
LOCATION Assembly Hall (16,618) - Champaign , Ill.
DATE / TIME: Saturday, Jan. 3 / 11 a.m.
TELEVISION: CBS
Craig Bolerjack (Play-by-play), Mary Murphy (Analyst)
RADIO / WEBCAST: KBEM 88.5 FM / Gopher Radio Network / gophersports.com
Corbu Stathes (Play-by-play), Lynnette Sjoquist (Color Analyst)
Golden Gopher Watch List — Jan. 3, 2009
• Golden Gophers Travel to Illinois - Minnesota concludes a busy three-game schedule of the opening week of Big Ten play for the Gophers as they travel to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3, for a nationally televised contest versus Illinois . Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. The Golden Gophers are 9-4 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Penn State on New Year’s Day by a score of 69-55..
Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-4, 1-1)
vs.
Illinois Illini (4-10, 0-3)
LOCATION Assembly Hall (16,618) - Champaign , Ill.
DATE / TIME: Saturday, Jan. 3 / 11 a.m.
TELEVISION: CBS
Craig Bolerjack (Play-by-play), Mary Murphy (Analyst)
RADIO / WEBCAST: KBEM 88.5 FM / Gopher Radio Network / gophersports.com
Corbu Stathes (Play-by-play), Lynnette Sjoquist (Color Analyst)
Golden Gopher Watch List — Jan. 3, 2009
• Golden Gophers Travel to Illinois - Minnesota concludes a busy three-game schedule of the opening week of Big Ten play for the Gophers as they travel to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3, for a nationally televised contest versus Illinois . Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. The Golden Gophers are 9-4 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Penn State on New Year’s Day by a score of 69-55..
• Minnesota Makes CBS Appearance - The Minnesota/Illinois game will be broadcast live by CBS with Craig Bolerjack and Mary Murphy providing the call of the game. The last regular-season Golden Gopher game televised by CBS on a national scale was Nov. 14, 2004, when top-ranked LSU visited Williams Arena.
• Five Gophers in Double Figures in Win Over Penn State - Emily Fox led the way with 15 points in the win over Penn State , followed by 14 by Katie Ohm, 12 by Ashley Ellis-Milan, 11 by Kiara Buford and 10 by Jackie Voigt. It was the second time this season (the other versus St. Mary’s) that the Gophers collected five players scoring in double digits.
Gophers Play Third Game This Week
Minnesota concludes a busy three-game schedule of the opening week of Big Ten play for the Gophers as they travel to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3, for a nationally televised contest versus Illinois . Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. The Golden Gophers are 9-4 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Penn State on New Year’s Day by a score of 69-55. Illinois enters the game with a record of 4-10 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten action.
Minnesota / Illinois Nationally Broadcast on CBS
The Minnesota/Illinois game will be broadcast live by CBS with Craig Bolerjack and Mary Murphy providing the call of the game.
The Last Time on CBS
The last regular-season Golden Gopher game televised by CBS on a national scale was Nov. 14, 2004, when top-ranked LSU visited Williams Arena. The Tigers defeated the No. 11/12 Gophers by a score of 75-67 in a game that featured two All-Americans - Minnesota’s Janel McCarville (later the number-one WNBA pick in 2005), who posted a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds; and LSU’s Seimone Augustus (the 2006 WNBA number-one pick), who scored 22.
Gophers Ring In New Year With a Victory
New Year’s Day used to be reserved for bowl games. Not any more. The Golden Gophers faced Penn State to kick off the New Year in Williams Arena on Thursday and posted a 68-55 victory Gophers are now 2-0 on New Year’s Day. Before the 2009 game. Minnesota had played just one other time on New Year’s Day, on Jan. 1, 2004 when the Gophers defeated Michigan by a 64-44 tally in The Barn. Needless to say, Minnesota enjoyed just the ride the rest of that season.
Breaking Offensive Slump With Balanced Attack
Minnesota had averaged just 49.5 points in the three game prior to the Penn State contest and broke free of its offensive slump with a balanced attack that featured five players in double figures in a 69-55 win over the Lady Lions. Emily Fox led the way with 15 points, followed by 14 by Katie Ohm, 12 by Ashley Ellis-Milan, 11 by Kiara Buford and 10 by Jackie Voigt. It was the second time this season (the other versus St. Mary’s) that the Gophers collected five players scoring in double digits.
A Break From the Books
Minnesota plays the fourth of eight games between the Fall and Spring semesters on Thursday versus Illinois . Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Big Ten Starts With a Bang
Minnesota has three games, two on the road, as the Gophers kick off the first week of the Big Ten Conference season. The Gophers traveled to Wisconsin (L, 62-52) on Monday, Dec. 29, then hosted Penn State (W, 69-55) on Thursday, Jan. 1, before traveling to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Not Close to Being Close
Interestingly enough, the outcomes all 13 of the Golden Gopher games, nine wins and four losses, have all come by double-digit margins. Minnesota ’s 10-point loss to South Dakota State (55-65) and at Wisconsin (62-52) are the “closest” results of the season. The “closest” Gopher win was a 12-point margin, 68-56 over North Dakota State .
Fox Returns to Familiar Form
Minnesota’s Emily Fox suffered the worst game of her collegiate career at Wisconsin on Monday, scoring just two points on an ice-cold 1-14 shooting from the field. On Thursday, the Gopher leader battled back to contribute the type of game that Minnesota fans have come so accustomed from #4 - 15 points, with four rebounds, four assists without a turnover, and a steal in 32 minutes of play.
Voigt One of Four Big Ten Rookie Starters
Minnesota forward Jackie Voigt is one of four true freshmen in the Big Ten to earn a spot in the starting lineup of their respective teams for the opening games of the Conference season. Voigt scored six points (2-for-2 from three-point range) with three rebounds and three assists and a steal versus Wisconsin in the first Big Ten game of her career, then hit double figures with 10 points and five rebounds versus Penn State. The 6-1 forward has started all 13 games for the Gophers this season. Other rookie starters around the Big Ten are: Fabiola Josil ( Illinois , guard), Brittany Orban (Northwestern, forward) and Samantha Prahalis ( Ohio State , guard).
Ohm Firing on Record Pace From Long Range
Katie Ohm has been sensational from behind the arc this season. Her 40 three-point field goals in on record pace to set Minnesota ’s single-season record of 73 (Lindsay Lieser, 2001-02; and Shannon Schonrock, 2004-05). Ohm has 14 more three-point field goals made than her nearest Big Ten competitor and twice the number of everyone but six Conference players. In fact, Ohm’s 40 treys is only five less than Illinois has scored as a team this season. Ohm has netted three or more three-pointers in nine games this season.
Ellis-Milan Picks Up Another Double-Double
Junior center Ashley Ellis-Milan tallied her fifth double-double of the 2008-09 season and her 17th of her Golden Gopher career with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Penn State . Ellis-Milan’s 8.7 rebounds per game average ranks fifth in the Big Ten.
Emmy Continues Climb Up Scoring Chart
Emily Fox started her season in 13th on the Minnesota all-time leading scorers list and is currently 11th with 1,215 career points. Looking ahead, Fox’s next target on the list in 10th place is Ellen Kramer (1987-91) with 1,336 points.
It Starts With the Defense
Minnesota has used its pressure defense to force opponents into an average of 21.2 turnovers a game. In six games this season, the Gophers have snagged 10 or more steals.
Extra Opportunities
A team can win some games if they enjoy continuous success in this statistic - turnover margin. Minnesota with a ratio of +4.62 owns a ratio of nearly twice that of its nearest Big Ten rival - Indiana at +2.64. In easy terms, Minnesota ’s defense is giving its offense extra possessions to the tune of nearly five a game.
Coaches Love This One
Minnesota’s starting backcourt of Brittany McCoy and Emily Fox are ranked first and second in the Big Ten statistics in a very important, but under-appreciated stat of assist-to-turnover ratio. McCoy checks in with a ratio of 1.71 with 65 assists and 38 turnovers. Fox has 53 assists to 31 turnovers for a 1.71 assist/turnover ratio. The duo enjoyed their best collective outing versus Boston College , combining for 13 assists without a single turnover. In their last outing, the McCoy/Fox duo teammed for nine assists and three turnovers.
On Any Giving Night...
Minnesota has enjoyed a great deal of balance in the scoring column this season. The Gophers landed five players in double digits versus Penn State , marking the fourth time this season that four or more players contributed double-figures performances.
Gophers Play Third Game This Week
Minnesota concludes a busy three-game schedule of the opening week of Big Ten play for the Gophers as they travel to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3, for a nationally televised contest versus Illinois . Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. The Golden Gophers are 9-4 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Penn State on New Year’s Day by a score of 69-55. Illinois enters the game with a record of 4-10 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten action.
Minnesota / Illinois Nationally Broadcast on CBS
The Minnesota/Illinois game will be broadcast live by CBS with Craig Bolerjack and Mary Murphy providing the call of the game.
The Last Time on CBS
The last regular-season Golden Gopher game televised by CBS on a national scale was Nov. 14, 2004, when top-ranked LSU visited Williams Arena. The Tigers defeated the No. 11/12 Gophers by a score of 75-67 in a game that featured two All-Americans - Minnesota’s Janel McCarville (later the number-one WNBA pick in 2005), who posted a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds; and LSU’s Seimone Augustus (the 2006 WNBA number-one pick), who scored 22.
Gophers Ring In New Year With a Victory
New Year’s Day used to be reserved for bowl games. Not any more. The Golden Gophers faced Penn State to kick off the New Year in Williams Arena on Thursday and posted a 68-55 victory Gophers are now 2-0 on New Year’s Day. Before the 2009 game. Minnesota had played just one other time on New Year’s Day, on Jan. 1, 2004 when the Gophers defeated Michigan by a 64-44 tally in The Barn. Needless to say, Minnesota enjoyed just the ride the rest of that season.
Breaking Offensive Slump With Balanced Attack
Minnesota had averaged just 49.5 points in the three game prior to the Penn State contest and broke free of its offensive slump with a balanced attack that featured five players in double figures in a 69-55 win over the Lady Lions. Emily Fox led the way with 15 points, followed by 14 by Katie Ohm, 12 by Ashley Ellis-Milan, 11 by Kiara Buford and 10 by Jackie Voigt. It was the second time this season (the other versus St. Mary’s) that the Gophers collected five players scoring in double digits.
A Break From the Books
Minnesota plays the fourth of eight games between the Fall and Spring semesters on Thursday versus Illinois . Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Big Ten Starts With a Bang
Minnesota has three games, two on the road, as the Gophers kick off the first week of the Big Ten Conference season. The Gophers traveled to Wisconsin (L, 62-52) on Monday, Dec. 29, then hosted Penn State (W, 69-55) on Thursday, Jan. 1, before traveling to Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 3.
Not Close to Being Close
Interestingly enough, the outcomes all 13 of the Golden Gopher games, nine wins and four losses, have all come by double-digit margins. Minnesota ’s 10-point loss to South Dakota State (55-65) and at Wisconsin (62-52) are the “closest” results of the season. The “closest” Gopher win was a 12-point margin, 68-56 over North Dakota State .
Fox Returns to Familiar Form
Minnesota’s Emily Fox suffered the worst game of her collegiate career at Wisconsin on Monday, scoring just two points on an ice-cold 1-14 shooting from the field. On Thursday, the Gopher leader battled back to contribute the type of game that Minnesota fans have come so accustomed from #4 - 15 points, with four rebounds, four assists without a turnover, and a steal in 32 minutes of play.
Voigt One of Four Big Ten Rookie Starters
Minnesota forward Jackie Voigt is one of four true freshmen in the Big Ten to earn a spot in the starting lineup of their respective teams for the opening games of the Conference season. Voigt scored six points (2-for-2 from three-point range) with three rebounds and three assists and a steal versus Wisconsin in the first Big Ten game of her career, then hit double figures with 10 points and five rebounds versus Penn State. The 6-1 forward has started all 13 games for the Gophers this season. Other rookie starters around the Big Ten are: Fabiola Josil ( Illinois , guard), Brittany Orban (Northwestern, forward) and Samantha Prahalis ( Ohio State , guard).
Ohm Firing on Record Pace From Long Range
Katie Ohm has been sensational from behind the arc this season. Her 40 three-point field goals in on record pace to set Minnesota ’s single-season record of 73 (Lindsay Lieser, 2001-02; and Shannon Schonrock, 2004-05). Ohm has 14 more three-point field goals made than her nearest Big Ten competitor and twice the number of everyone but six Conference players. In fact, Ohm’s 40 treys is only five less than Illinois has scored as a team this season. Ohm has netted three or more three-pointers in nine games this season.
Ellis-Milan Picks Up Another Double-Double
Junior center Ashley Ellis-Milan tallied her fifth double-double of the 2008-09 season and her 17th of her Golden Gopher career with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Penn State . Ellis-Milan’s 8.7 rebounds per game average ranks fifth in the Big Ten.
Emmy Continues Climb Up Scoring Chart
Emily Fox started her season in 13th on the Minnesota all-time leading scorers list and is currently 11th with 1,215 career points. Looking ahead, Fox’s next target on the list in 10th place is Ellen Kramer (1987-91) with 1,336 points.
It Starts With the Defense
Minnesota has used its pressure defense to force opponents into an average of 21.2 turnovers a game. In six games this season, the Gophers have snagged 10 or more steals.
Extra Opportunities
A team can win some games if they enjoy continuous success in this statistic - turnover margin. Minnesota with a ratio of +4.62 owns a ratio of nearly twice that of its nearest Big Ten rival - Indiana at +2.64. In easy terms, Minnesota ’s defense is giving its offense extra possessions to the tune of nearly five a game.
Coaches Love This One
Minnesota’s starting backcourt of Brittany McCoy and Emily Fox are ranked first and second in the Big Ten statistics in a very important, but under-appreciated stat of assist-to-turnover ratio. McCoy checks in with a ratio of 1.71 with 65 assists and 38 turnovers. Fox has 53 assists to 31 turnovers for a 1.71 assist/turnover ratio. The duo enjoyed their best collective outing versus Boston College , combining for 13 assists without a single turnover. In their last outing, the McCoy/Fox duo teammed for nine assists and three turnovers.
On Any Giving Night...
Minnesota has enjoyed a great deal of balance in the scoring column this season. The Gophers landed five players in double digits versus Penn State , marking the fourth time this season that four or more players contributed double-figures performances.
Four or More Gophers in Double Digits:
American W, 79-62
Yale W, 87-63
St. Mary’s W, 98-72
Boston College W, 80-60
Penn State W, 69-55
Halfway There
Brittany McCoy is over halfway to adding the 2008-09 as her third consecutive season with 100 or more assists. Ten games into the season, McCoy has 65 assists averaging 5.0 dishes a game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. The Gopher junior is already the only player in school history to dish out 100 or more assists as both a freshman and sophomore. McCoy’s 301 career assists currently stands seventh in Minnesota history.
Experience Paying Dividends
Two years ago, Minnesota put the second youngest squad in the nation on the court. In 2008-09, the Gophers have a trio of three-year starters in Emily Fox, Brittany McCoy and Ashley Ellis-Milan. McCoy has started every one of her 78 career games at Minnesota . To date, the Gophers’ starting lineup, which does include a true freshman in Jackie Voigt, boasts 271 games of starting experience.
American W, 79-62
Yale W, 87-63
St. Mary’s W, 98-72
Boston College W, 80-60
Penn State W, 69-55
Halfway There
Brittany McCoy is over halfway to adding the 2008-09 as her third consecutive season with 100 or more assists. Ten games into the season, McCoy has 65 assists averaging 5.0 dishes a game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. The Gopher junior is already the only player in school history to dish out 100 or more assists as both a freshman and sophomore. McCoy’s 301 career assists currently stands seventh in Minnesota history.
Experience Paying Dividends
Two years ago, Minnesota put the second youngest squad in the nation on the court. In 2008-09, the Gophers have a trio of three-year starters in Emily Fox, Brittany McCoy and Ashley Ellis-Milan. McCoy has started every one of her 78 career games at Minnesota . To date, the Gophers’ starting lineup, which does include a true freshman in Jackie Voigt, boasts 271 games of starting experience.
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