Gophers getting defensive this season

The Gophers have put up better statistics defensively across the board this season in nonconference play.

December 28, 2018 at 3:54AM
Head coach Marlene Stollings of Minnesota calls plays from the sideline during the second half.
Former Gophers coach Marlene Stollings last December. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Gophers women's basketball team has gone from a team that tried to outscore opponents last season to, in Lindsay Whalen's first season as coach, one that tries to stop other teams. Here is a comparison of a few key defensive statistics from last season through 11 games vs. this season so far.

Record — 2017-18: 9-2. 2018-19:11-0.

Points per game allowed— 2017-18: 68.9. 2018-19:53.1.

Opponent FG percentage — 2017-18: 38.9. 2018-19:33.8.

Opponent three-point FG percentage — 2017-18: 35.1.2018-19: 28.2.

Rebounds per game allowed — 2017-18: 38.0.2018-19: 33.5.

Turnovers per game forced — 2017-18: 15.8.2018-19: 18.3.

Steals per game — 2017-18: 7.8.2018-19: 9.1.

Blocks per game — 2017-18: 2.7.2018-19: 3.7.

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It’s time to move forward, in this era of college sports no longer operating under the guise of amateurism, and honor the past. The Gophers should let the 1997 Final Four banner hang from the Williams Arena rafters once more.