After two relatively easy victories over nonconference foes, the Gophers women's basketball team has sneaked into the last spot in the Top 25.
It's too early for any kind of conclusions, though there have been good signs. Coach Lindsay Whalen's emphasis on defense has not yet come at the expense of the offense. Senior Kenisha Bell looks comfortable working off the ball more with Jasmine Brunson at the point. The two have played nice defense on the perimeter, too.
None of these observations necessarily qualify as eye-openers. But this does: Annalese Lamke's play at center.
Lamke is a 6-3 senior who has been given an opportunity. In two games she has scored more points than she did the past two seasons. After three years of doing more cheering than playing, she is starting, playing, scoring.
"There was an opportunity for her to step into a starting role this season," Whalen said. "And she seized it."
Again, only two games. The competition will get tougher. But, so far, Lamke — and power forward Taiye Bello — have reaped the rewards of an offense seemingly more balanced inside-out.
Lamke has worked for this. Whalen is in her first season coaching, but she has been at some practices in past seasons. What she usually saw was Lamke first on the court working. It's that work ethic that might have put her in this position. Lamke worked hard to get stronger, too. Maybe what Whalen and her staff have done is give her both a green light and the confidence to show what she can do.
"It's a little bit of both," Lamke said. "I mean, your hard work can't show off without opportunity. So the playing time I've been given? All the work I've put in the last three years, and over the summer, was to make the most of that opportunity."