The banner now hangs inside Williams Arena.
For the first time in more than two decades, the Minnesota women’s basketball program has a visual reminder of what the program accomplished last season: a trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, the program’s deepest postseason run since 2004.
For redshirt senior guard Mara Braun, the banner serves as both a celebration and a challenge.
“It’s in The Barn now, so we know what we’re striving for,” Braun said during Minnesota’s summer media availability. “And obviously to exceed that for next season.”
That mindset has defined the early stages of the Gophers’ offseason.
After a historic run that ended in the tournament against eventual national champion UCLA Bruins, Minnesota enters the 2026-27 season with a difficult task: replacing key contributors while proving last year’s success was not a one-time breakthrough.
Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit believes the foundation is already in place.
“We talk a lot about toughness, togetherness and finding a way,” Plitzuweit said.
Those three pillars have become the focus of Minnesota’s summer program as the Gophers work to integrate seven newcomers with a returning core that helped guide the program to national relevance.
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Veteran Leadership Sets the Tone
Minnesota’s greatest advantage entering the 2026-27 season may be the players who remain.
The Gophers return eight players from last year’s Sweet 16 team, including Braun and junior guard Tori McKinney.
That continuity has allowed Minnesota to maintain a faster pace during summer workouts. With veteran players already familiar with the system, practices require less coaching intervention and more player-led instruction.
According to Plitzuweit, that environment helps accelerate the learning curve for newcomers while simulating game conditions.
Braun said the veterans have made it a priority to help transfers and freshmen feel comfortable.
“We tell them every day to be confident and be themselves,” Braun said.
The approach reflects a culture that was strengthened during last season’s NCAA Tournament run.
McKinney said the experience of reaching the Sweet 16 created a bond that naturally carried into the offseason.
“You literally spend every single day together,” McKinney said. “Honestly it was the best time because I got to spend every day with my teammates.”
That chemistry remains a major point of emphasis as Minnesota attempts to build a new version of last year’s team.
New Faces Fill Major Roles
While Minnesota returns significant experience, replacing program pillars such as Amaya Battle and Sophie Hart will not be easy.
To address those departures, the Gophers aggressively attacked the transfer portal. The most notable addition may be 6-foot-6 center Gracie Merkle, who arrives from Penn State.
Merkle averaged 19.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season while shooting an impressive 72.5 percent from the field. She also led Penn State in rebounds and blocks, giving Minnesota a proven interior presence to replace Hart’s production.
Plitzuweit called Merkle one of the most efficient players in the country and praised her ability to pass out of double teams while creating opportunities for teammates.
The Gophers also added dynamic guard Leah Harmon, who had a shortened season with UCF last season due to injury.
Before her injury, Harmon averaged 15.7 points per game and demonstrated the ability to score from all three levels. She posted a career-high 38 points against Kansas and finished her collegiate career shooting 82 percent from the free-throw line.
“She’s a very skilled guard who can score at all three levels,” Plitzuweit said.
The third major addition is former Northwestern forward Tayla Thomas.
Thomas brings proven Big Ten experience after leading Northwestern in both rebounds and blocks last season. Her versatility gives Minnesota another frontcourt player capable of protecting the rim while stretching defenses with perimeter shooting.
Together, the trio addresses some of Minnesota’s most significant offseason needs while providing a blend of scoring, rebounding and experience.
Stars Continue to Develop
The Gophers are not simply relying on newcomers when looking ahead to 2026-27. Several returning players are spending the summer expanding their games.
For Braun, that means becoming a more aggressive attacker. Known primarily for her perimeter shooting, Braun has focused on finishing around the basket and creating offense in the mid-lane area.
Plitzuweit said Braun’s development has been fueled by both increased strength and a more aggressive mindset.
McKinney is also taking another step forward after earning All-Big Ten Defensive Team honors last season. Already regarded as one of the conference’s top perimeter defenders, McKinney is working to diversify her offensive game while continuing to emerge as one of Minnesota’s leaders.
Her growth was recently recognized on the international stage when she earned a spot on USA Basketball’s U23 3×3 Nations League Team. Even then, McKinney credited Minnesota’s team culture for the opportunity.
“The only reason I got recognized was because I played for this team and because I’m surrounded by the best people,” she said.
A Look Ahead
The road ahead will be challenging for the Gophers. Minnesota’s Big Ten schedule in the coming season includes road trips to defending national champion UCLA and conference favorite USC, along with matchups against perennial contenders such as Ohio State, Maryland and Michigan State.
The Gophers will be put to the test, and like is never easy in the Big Ten. But after storming onto the scene and breaking through last season, expectations inside the program have changed.
The Sweet 16 banner that now hangs above Williams Arena serves as a reminder of what Minnesota accomplished. It also represents what the Gophers hope is only the beginning.