Recent content from Kent Youngblood
Schedule turns tougher for No. 23 Gophers women, starting with No. 24 Michigan
The Gophers women's basketball team's two Big Ten losses came against teams ranked at the time.
Lynx and WNBA head into a free-agency season overshadowed by the change just ahead
A new collective bargaining agreement, still in the making, will be in effect in 2026, so short-term deals will be the norm for 2025.
No. 24 Gophers turn stern, surge past Northwestern in Big Ten women's basketball
Minnesota trailed by double digits after three quarters but outscored the Wildcats by 21 points over the final eight minutes.
Gophers women's basketball team heads to Northwestern aiming to regain footing
Minnesota had won four Big Ten games in a row and landed the No. 24 ranking before Maryland ended the streak.
Gophers women's basketball lands in AP Top 25 for first time since 2019
Dawn Plitzuweit's team is 16-1 and ranked No. 24 heading into Tuesday's game at No. 8 Maryland.
With top freshmen sidelined, Battle steps up to lead Gophers past Rutgers
Minnesota's record climbed to 16-1, and Amaya Battle had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists when two standout first-year players — Minnesota's Tori McKinney and Rutgers' Kiyomi McMiller — weren't available to play.
15-1 Gophers gear up for Rutgers and possible freshmen showdown
Tori McKinney has been a revelation for the Gophers, while Rutgers might counter with freshman Kiyomi McMiller.
After three big games, Gophers guard McKinney named Big Ten freshman of the week
Tori McKinney is the first Gophers player to be named Big Ten freshman of the week since Grace Grocholski last February.
Gophers push back against Illini, grab another Big Ten women's basketball victory
Grace Grocholski stayed in the middle of matters until her late free throws settled it, and Tori McKinney also came up big in the fourth quarter.
McKinney helps fuel Gophers'14-1 start, avoiding 'speeding tickets' from coaches
With Mara Braun injured, the Gophers women's basketball team has received a big contribution from speedy freshman Tori McKinney.
Five reasons Gophers women's basketball is 14-1 after beating Wisconsin
Better defense and fewer turnover are among the keys to Minnesota's hot start.
Gophers women pour it on from the start, then clamp down to smother Wisconsin 59-50
The Gophers women's basketball team bolted to a 23-4 first-quarter lead and did what they needed to do defensively the rest of the way to end a four-game losing streak to the rival Badgers.
Next test for 13-1 Gophers women's basketball team: archrival Wisconsin
The Gophers opened eyes with Saturday's 36-point win vs. Penn State, but Minnesota has a four-game losing streak vs. Wisconsin.
Gold medalist, entrepreneur, All-Star. Napheesa Collier is the 2024 Sportsperson of the Year
The Minnesota Star Tribune Sportsperson of the Year won Olympic gold, led the Lynx to the WNBA Finals and is starting a new women's basketball league.
Return to Big Ten play puts Gophers women's basketball team up against a challenge immediately
Penn State, a winner by 56 against the U last season, is next up in the now-brawnier conference.
Gophers women close nonconference play with 96-57 rout of Prairie View A&M
Two standouts for Minnesota were Tori McKinney (17 points) and Annika Stewart (20), as Prairie View A&M fell to 2-6.
Gophers women enter final nonconference tune-up vs. Prairie View A&M
Back in action for the first time since Dec. 11, the Gophers will face a Prairie View A&M team that is riding a five-game losing streak.
Timberwolves roll against Spurs, defense again accounting for the difference
The Wolves won for the sixth time in seven games, this time despite shooting only 40%.
Gophers guard Woodson suffers season-ending knee injury
Taylor Woodson, who transferred home from Michigan to play for the Gophers, was averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 17 minutes per game.
Gophers women's basketball team bounces back to trounce Jackson State; top sub Woodson injured
Minnesota shot nearly 60% during a 20-8 start to erase a fresh loss to Nebraska, but guard/forward Taylor Woodson suffered a knee injury early in the game.
Gophers women's basketball looks to bounce back after season's first loss
Minnesota returns to action Wednesday at home against Jackson State after falling to 10-1 with a 19-point loss at Nebraska.
Gophers women's basketball team sinks quickly at No. 25 Nebraska, ending run of perfection
Minnesota, unable to stop the Huskers inside or out, trailed by double digits in the first few minutes.
Lynx lose Zandalasini in WNBA expansion draft
Golden State Valkyries pluck veteran forward from Minnesota roster.
Gophers improve to to 10-0 with 90-44 rout of North Florida
Grace Grocholski made five three-pointers in 18 minutes as the Gophers went to their bench early against the overmatched Ospreys.
Gophers women's basketball aims for 10-0 start with North Florida next
The Gophers face the Ospreys in their final tune-up before Big Ten play begins Sunday at Nebraska.
New Lynx assistants Thibault, Whalen should provide seamless transition
The Lynx also released their schedule for the 2025 season; they'll play the New York Liberty four times.
Lindsay Whalen returns: 'I needed time to, like, really miss it'
After watching the Lynx from the sidelines last season, the Hall of Famer is eager to return as an assistant coach.
Gophers get a complete game from Mallory Heyer in win over Louisiana
Minnesota's women's basketball team improved to 9-0 with its second victory in the Big Easy Classic.
Lindsay Whalen returns to Lynx as assistant coach
The Lynx said their Hall of Fame point guard will join the team as an assistant coach along with former Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault, who will be associate head coach.
Gophers victory reveals spotty offense and all the defense anybody needs
Minnesota's women's basketball team improved to 8-0 despite shooting below 40%, and this might explain it: Houston shot 25.9 percent.
Battle's importance grows along with her statistics
A junior point guard, she is 14 games deep in her emergence as a scoring threat, and Maya Braun's recent injury means those points are needed.
Gophers star Braun to have foot surgery; uncertain if she'll return this season
Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit said it's "way too early to tell" whether Mara Braun will return this season or use a medical redshirt.
Lynx can protect six players from Valkyries in WNBA expansion draft
The expansion draft for Golden State is Dec. 6, and league teams have to submit their protected lists on Monday.
Gophers women's basketball improves to 7-0, dominate Montana in second game without Braun
Tori McKinney had another strong performance with 13 points as the Gophers ask for more from the freshman following the foot injury to leading scorer Mara Braun.
Gophers women's basketball plays host to Montana
The Grizzlies have already beaten a Big Ten team this season.
Injured leading scorer watches Gophers women's basketball team win without her
Mara Braun was wearing a walking boot on her right foot before the game against Eastern Illinois. That's the same foot that wrecked last season.
Gophers' depth, defense and turnover ratio have helped fuel their 5-0 start
The Gophers women's basketball team enters Wednesday's game against Eastern Illinois with facets of its game coming together well. It's an experienced team and it shows.
Timberwolves push back in OT, top Kings despite Fox's 60 points
Anthony Edwards scored 36, coming up big as his team blew a 20-point lead but ended a three-game losing streak anyway.
Former Lynx standout Fowles makes Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
The center, part of two WNBA champions in Minnesota, will become the eighth player from the franchise to be inducted.
After quick start, Gophers women face challenging weekend
Briann January Classic will give team step up after three opening victories.
Gophers women's basketball dominates UMass Lowell for 3-0 start
The competition gets tougher for the Gophers after a third consecutive home victory to start the season.
Gophers women's basketball aims for 3-0 start, as UMass-Lowell visits
The Gophers have a busy week ahead. After playing host to the River Hawks, Minnesota heads to Tempe, Ariz., for games against Oregon State (Saturday) and SMU (Sunday).
GM Clare Duwelius and associate head coach Katie Smith leave Lynx
Duwelius will be an executive with the new Unrivaled league, while Smith is headed to Ohio State.
Rallying behind Twinums tandem, Gophers dispatch Vermont
Each scored 21 points, with Mara Braun including eight steals in her hefty stat line and Amaya Battle throwing five assists into her contribution.
After dominant opener, Gophers women's basketball works to improve its tempo
The Gophers were rushed too often against Central Connecticut and will need to control their speed Friday in what's expected to be a tougher challenge against Vermont.
U women cruise past Central Connecticut 89-48 in season opener
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.
Gophers' Plitzuweit sees improvement she wanted entering Year Two
"We're better than we were last year," Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. "We're deeper, we have more athleticism and we're stronger, too."
Gophers women's basketball-Central Connecticut State game preview
In the season opener, the Gophers will face a Central Connecticut State team picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference.
Gophers women's basketball veterans and newcomers already connected
For new Gophers such as Taylor Woodson, coming home to play at Minnesota is an extension of their time together in high school.
Diamond Miller faces important offseason after falling out of Lynx's rotation
After making the WNBA all-rookie team in 2023, former Maryland standout Diamond Miller watched the 2024 playoffs from the bench.
Lynx had special season, but WNBA Finals loss motivates star Napheesa Collier
The team's starters looked back at their success at a news conference two days after a wrenching overtime loss in New York.
Looking ahead: What's next for Collier, McBride and the rest of the Lynx?
All five starters are under contract for next season, and salary cap changes appear head for a league rising in popularity.
Liberty outlast Lynx 67-62 in overtime in Game 5 for first WNBA title
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve had harsh words for the officials after a controversial late call in regulation enabled New York to force overtime. Minnesota was seeking a record fifth crown.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve would consider an NBA job
The Lynx are in the WNBA Finals for the seventh time under Reeve.
Lynx beat Liberty, force decisive Game 5
Bridget Carleton hit two free throws with two seconds left to lift the Lynx to a Game 4 victory.
With season on line, Lynx center Smith answers bell
Smith has been playing despite a balky back and was in the lineup for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.
Lynx have no margin for error in WNBA Finals: 'We are going to answer the call'
The Liberty can win their first league title Friday night at Target Center. If they don't, Game 5 will be Sunday in New York.
Lynx center Smith is injured but will gut it out for Game 4
A back injury is bothering the WNBA all-defensive team player, and the Lynx might need a deeper bench to compensate.
WNBA Finals, Liberty vs. Lynx, Game 4 preview: TV-radio information, injury report, key players
New York leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can win its first title Friday night at Target Center.
Liberty beat Lynx to get within a game of WNBA title
Sabrina Ionescu's long three pointer with one second left broke a tie and gave New York the 80-77 victory in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center.
Collier, Stewart, Clark, Wilson and Thomas are first-team All-WNBA
Napheesa Collier and league MVP A'ja Wilson were unanimous selections, and it's the second consecutive year for Collier on the first team.
Lynx guard Courtney Williams: She's funny, she's tough, she's the 'head of the snake'
As the WNBA Finals moves to Minnesota, the Lynx and Liberty are tied at one in the best-of-five series.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve says Game 3 of WNBA Finals at Target Center will sell out
The arena's upper bowl will be opened for Games 3 and 4 after it was closed off for the first two rounds.
WNBA Finals: Liberty-Lynx Game 3 preview with TV information and injury report
The best-of-five series is tied 1-1 as the teams meet at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Determined Liberty blunt Lynx's rally this time in WNBA Finals
After coming back from 18 down in Game 1, the Lynx tried to do something similar in Game 2, but the Liberty persevered with a dozen points in a row at the end.
Healthier, Liberty's Laney-Hamilton makes a difference in Game 2
The New York wing dealt with a knee injury this season, but her coach had seen signs of improvement, and it showed Sunday.
As Lynx play in WNBA Finals, Reeve cements her status
It's Cheryl Reeve's seventh appearance in the championship series, she's won a record-tying four titles, and she coached Team USA to Olympic gold this summer.
WNBA Finals Game 2 preview: Series fires back up after a dramatic opening
The Minnesota Lynx rallied from 18 points down to win in overtime, but events may have inspired New York Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart.
Huge shots by the Lynx were memorable, but they won Game 1 of the WNBA Finals with defense
The Lynx Game 1 victory was the only game in WNBA playoff history — out of 184 — where a team trailed by 15 or more points with five minutes remaining in regulation and rallied to win
Missed opportunities cost Liberty in WNBA Finals loss to Lynx
Breanna Stewart, a two-time league MVP, missed a crucial free throw, then a game-tying layup in overtime
Lynx pull off a rally and OT victory over Liberty in Game 1 of WNBA Finals
Napheesa Collier hit a tiebreaking jumper with 8.8 seconds left in OT after the team overcame an 18-point deficit early and a 15-point deficit late.
WNBA reveals plan for best-of-seven Finals and a longer regular season
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the season likely will go deeper into October. She also said the league is taking steps to combat racism and bullying.
Lynx roar into WNBA Finals by beating Sun
The Lynx had a dominant first quarter to cruise to an 88-77 victory to take the semifinal series 3-2.
Lynx have one final advantage in WNBA semifinals: Home court in Game 5
After splitting the first four games, the Lynx and Connecticut Sun play Tuesday night for a spot in the league finals.
Lynx-Sun Game 5 preview: One game at Target Center for a trip to the WNBA Finals
The team have been evenly matched in the series, with only six points separating them over four games.
