Kent Youngblood's Gophers women's basketball forecast: Injuries complicate already young roster

Coach Lindsay Whalen will have a young, albeit talented, team that will have to come together quickly to have success.

November 5, 2022 at 10:00PM
The loss of Nia Holloway, an incoming freshman on the Gophers women’s basketball team, has hurt Minnesota’s depth. She suffered a season-ending left knee injury this past summer. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

When it comes to the 2022-23 Gophers women's basketball team, it's a matter of how quickly youth will be served.

There are 11 new faces on the roster, three returnees. There are eight freshmen and three sophomores on the 14-player roster. The starting lineup will likely include three freshmen.

There is no question there is talent on this roster. But success will depend on how quickly the young players grow and how well the Gophers can navigate past season-ending injuries to Nia Holloway and Aminata Zie, which has left them thin in the post. The team needs to come together quickly to succeed in the difficult Big Ten Conference.

about the writer

about the writer

Kent Youngblood

Reporter

Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Star Tribune for more than 20 years.

See More

More from Gophers

card image

Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.

card image
card image