Gophers women excited for exhibition opener Sunday

The Gophers women host Minnesota Crookston for an exhibition game on Sunday, then open the regular season Nov. 9 vs. Jacksonville. We stopped by practice this week to chat with coach Lindsay Whalen and guard Sara Scalia.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversations with Whalen and Scalia***

Heading into this weekend, the Gophers are healthy. Last year, only forward Klarke Sconiers played all 21 games. Starters Gadiva Hubbard, Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia missed a combined 14 games because of injuries.

This is Whalen’s 4th year in charge, and with 12 players back from last year’s team, many with a lot of experience, a goal of making the NCAA Tournament seems realistic.

Last year, the Gophers finished 8-13 overall, 7-11 in the Big Ten.