Gophers’ Dawn Plitzuweit reflects on 400th win: ‘It’s an awful lot of fun’
Gopher Coaches Show: Dawn Plitzuweit talks 15-1 start
This week on the Gopher Coaches Show, University of Minnesota women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit stops by to talk about the team's 15-1 start, including a 3-1 mark in Big Ten play, with FOX 9's Ahmad Hicks and KFAN's Justin Gaard. Grace Grocholski also joins the show.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The FOX 9 Gopher Coaches show continues this week with the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team, which is off to a hot start.
The Gophers are 15-1, including a 3-1 start in Big Ten play ahead of hosting Rutgers Wednesday night at Williams Arena. Minnesota is coming off a 68-61 win over Illinois, which marked the 400th career win for Dawn Plitzuweit.
She reflected on that accomplishment in the first segment of the show with FOX 9’s Ahmad Hicks, and KFAN’s Justin Gaard.
"Probably means I’m pretty old, but it means I’ve had a chance to be really blessed and coach some wonderful young ladies over the years, had some great staff alongside and have a lot of fun doing a job that is a fun job," Plitzuweit said "To do it requires a lot, but it’s an awful lot of fun."
Plitzuweit is in her 13th season as a head coach, and second with Minnesota.
Stepping up without Mara Braun, Taylor Woodson
What we know: Mara Braun is yet again sitting and watching from the bench after re-injuring the same foot that caused her to sit out most of last season. She was the Gophers’ top scorer. They’re also without Taylor Woodson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month. Woodson had been averaging 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
It’s meant a bigger role for Tori McKinney, who is averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16 starts. They’re also getting 11.6 points from Annika Stewart, and 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds from Grace Grocholski, who also joined Tuesday’s show.
Gophers are receiving votes in polls
What we know: The Gophers have won five straight and are now receiving votes in both top-25 polls. Minnesota is receiving seven votes in the AP Top 25, and 11 in the Coaches Poll. After Rutgers, they have a huge test in a road game at No. 8-ranked Mayrland.