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Phil Picardi
St. Paul

Best basketball today? Gopher women and Green Bay

U guard Carlie Wagner (33) drives against Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell.
Minnesota guard Carlie Wagner (33) drives against Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis.
R Brent Smith | AP

Go Deeper.

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If you hitch your wagon to a certain big-time men's college basketball team from our region, there's not a lot to cheer about as the rest of the nation goes all March Madness. The Gophers, Hawkeyes and Badgers were too ugly to get an invitation to the Big Dance.

But, if you are a fan of basketball and enjoy watching the game skillfully played, break out the maroon and gold — or even green and red if you like.

After two years away, the University of Minnesota women's basketball team returns to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with Friday afternoon game against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The post-season NCAA tournament whittles a field of 64 teams down to a national champion in less than three weeks of high stakes play. The Golden Gophers and UW-Green Bay Phoenix begin west regional play in Eugene, Ore.

The Gophers at 23-8 are seeded 10th in the regional. The Phoenix at 29-3 are seeded seventh. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. Central time on ESPN2.

Every team that makes the NCAA tournament had a good season, but players for both the Gophers and the Phoenix feel like they can string some wins together and finish with exceptional seasons.

U guard Kenisha Bell (23) shoots over Ohio State.
Minnesota guard Kenisha Bell (23) shoots over Ohio State guard Jensen Caretti, right, and Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga, left.
R Brent Smith | AP

The Gophers were fourth in the Big Ten, losing to eventual conference tournament champion Ohio State by only a basket. Minnesota's highlight was 19-point win over former coach Brenda Frese and 10th-ranked Maryland. The Phoenix won the Horizon League title and beat ranked teams Arizona State and Marquette.

The three greatest players in Gopher history are WNBA stars Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx) and Janel McCarville (currently a free agent), who played on the same team, and prolific scorer Rachel Banham (Connecticut Sun).

This year's team, however, is not quite as star-centered and perhaps better balanced. Junior guard Kenisha Bell scored a team-high 20 points per game. Senior guard Carlie Wagner averaged nearly 19 points per game. And, sophomore Gadiva Hubbard (13.8) and freshman Destiny Pitts (12.9) both averaged in double figures.

Green Bay's best all-around player is Superior, Wis., native Jessica Lindstrom. The senior scored more than 15 points and pulled down more than 10 rebounds a game, and she was named all-Horizon League for defensive and academic prowess.

Minnesota as a team is known for its ability to score. The Gophers averaged 85 points a game this season, third highest in the nation. Green Bay is known for a stifling defense, giving up a nation-low of 46 points a game.

If neither unit blinks, it may come down to how well the Phoenix shoot and the Gophers defend.

The winner won't have much time to celebrate advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday and a game against the winner of a game between Oregon and Seattle. Oregon at 30-4 is the region's second seed. And, by the way, they're playing at home.