Ten Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA women's basketball tournament

The Gophers didn't get an invitation and there will be a lot of attention focus on the former Hopkins and current UConn star Paige Bueckers. But you could put together a pretty good squad with these 10 Minnesotans who are hoping to be playing in the women's Final Four at Target Center next month.

PAIGE BUECKERS, CONNECTICUT • Sophomore guard, 5-11 • High school: Hopkins

The reigning National Player of the Year (winner of the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, etc.) returned to the Huskies lineup three weeks ago after suffering a tibial plateau fracture and torn meniscus in her left knee in early December. She is averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

MONIKA CZINANO, IOWA • Senior forward/center, 6-3 • High school: Watertown-Mayer

The perfect complement for sophomore sensation Caitlin Clark. The Big Ten first team all-conference selection by both the coaches and media the past two years is averaging 21.1 ppg while shooting 68% from the floor and 6.1 rpg. Czinano also is an 84% free-throw shooter.

SAM HAIBY, NEBRASKA • Junior guard, 5-9 • High school: Moorhead

A three-year starter for the Cornhuskers, the versatile athlete is only the seventh player in program history with more than 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 300 assists in her career. She is averaging 10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4 apg this season and was honorable mention All-Big Ten.

LAUREN JENSEN, CREIGHTON • Sophomore guard, 5-10 • High school: Lakeville North

Jensen transferred from Iowa and more than quadrupled her minutes and increased her scoring by more than 11 points per game. She is averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 2.1 apg and is connecting on 44% of her three-point attempts with the Bluejays.

JENNA JOHNSON, UTAH • Freshman forward, 6-2 • High school: Wayzata

Johnson has been named the Pac-12 freshman of the week three times. She is averaging 11.9 ppg (15.9 in her past seven games) and 4.4 rpg while shooting 52% from the floor, and she scored a season-high 27 points vs. Oregon on Feb. 26.

GIANNA KNEEPKENS, UTAH • Freshman guard, 5-11 • High school: Duluth Marshall

The former Hilltoppers class president didn't waste any time fitting in with the Utes. Kneepkens was a first team All-Pac-12 selection and Freshman of the Year. She is averaging 12 ppg and 4.4 rpg and shoots 88% from the free-throw line. Kneepkens owns the Minnesota state tournament single-game scoring record with a 67-point performance her senior year.

AYOKA LEE, KANSAS STATE • Junior center, 6-6 • High school: Byron

Lee has been outstanding as a member of the Wildcats. She poured in an NCAA Division I record 61 points on 23-for-30 shooting from the floor and 15-for-17 from the free throw line against Oklahoma in January. She is only the third player in program history with more than 1,500 points, 800 rebounds and 200 blocked shots in her career.

NNEKA OBIAZOR, UNLV • Sophomore forward, 5-10 • High school: Eden Prairie

Obiazor was the Horizon League Freshman of the Year at Youngstown State in 2020-21 before transferring to UNLV. The Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year award winner averages 11.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg while only playing 19 minutes a night.

HANNAH SJERVEN, SOUTH DAKOTA • Senior center, 6-2 • High school: Rogers

Sjerven took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to return for one more season. The Summit League first team

all-conference selection was honored as the defensive player of the year for the third consecutive season. She is averaging 14.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg. She shoots 51% from the floor.

ALYSSA USTBY, NORTH CAROLINA • Sophomore guard, 6-1 • High school: Rochester Lourdes

The versatile Ustby averages 13.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg. "Alyssa's motor is special," Tar Heels coach Courtney Banghart said. "She is relentless on both ends of the floor. She can defend five positions and can score all over the floor."