MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Gophers are facing a challenging situation as they play without their top scorer, Mara Braun, who is currently in a walking boot due to an injury. While they miss her contributions on the court — including her ability to score, shoot from the outside, and defend — the team has experienced this situation before, which adds a layer of familiarity to the challenge. The Gophers are currently ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll, marking their second consecutive week in the Top 25 after a five-year absence from national rankings.

Coach Dawn Plitzuweit expressed optimism about her team’s resilience, noting the players’ growth and development since last season. “Everyone has to elevate their game, and we are beginning to see that happen more effectively this year than we did previously,” Plitzuweit explained. Last year, when Braun also had to sit out, the team struggled significantly, losing eight of nine games following a solid start. Although Braun had surgery and returned to action for the WNIT, she subsequently aggravated her injury, which forced her to miss the final games of that tournament.

This season, after playing the initial five games, Braun has suffered another setback, leading to further medical procedures. Despite this, the Gophers have made considerable strides, with an impressive 17-2 overall record and a 5-2 mark in Big Ten play as they prepare for a matchup against 24th-ranked Michigan. “This time, we seem to know how to cope better without her,” noted junior forward Mallory Heyer. “Our deeper roster allows us to overcome her absence more effectively.”

Heyer and sophomore guard Grace Grocholski have stepped up their performances, enhancing their skills in ball-handling and decision-making during transition plays. Junior guard Amaya Battle, part of the notable 2022 recruiting class, has seen a breakout year with notable improvements in both her shooting accuracy and reduced turnover rate. Freshman Tori McKinney has capitalized on the opportunity to start in Braun’s absence, joining four other players in averaging double-digit points per game.

Additionally, Nebraska transfer Annika Stewart has emerged as a valuable asset off the bench, with impressive shooting statistics from three-point range. Grocholski put on a standout performance, achieving her first career double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds, leading her team to a come-from-behind victory against Northwestern. The prospect of how much more competitive the Gophers could be with Braun on the floor is certainly intriguing.

“I suppose you could speculate on the potential impact of her playing, but ultimately, we must focus on the players who are fit to compete,” Heyer stated. Minnesota recently faced a tough task in their first game as a ranked team, where they fell 99-92 to eighth-ranked Maryland, indicating the challenges that lie ahead.

With the Big Ten schedule structured around 18 games—two less than the men’s division—teams generally face each other twice, most frequently against regional rivals. However, the Gophers’ schedule has proven particularly challenging, with five of their six games against currently-ranked conference opponents occurring on the road. This includes toughest matchups against fourth-ranked USC and number one-ranked UCLA, along with games against twelfth-ranked Ohio State and twenty-first ranked Michigan State.

In her second season, Plitzuweit sees promising signs for continued success despite the challenges of a tough conference. While re-evaluating Braun’s potential return is ongoing, the possibility of utilizing a medical redshirt to safeguard her eligibility looms large.

Meanwhile, the Gophers are grappling with a question posed by their coaching staff both before the season and ahead of their Maryland game: Can they still perform at their best despite feeling understated physically? This idea plays into the challenge of competing without their standout player. “We weren’t as prepared last year, both physically and mentally, to handle such situations,” Plitzuweit remarked. “But we are certainly more equipped to confront these circumstances this time around.”