Junior guard Mara Braun re-injured her right foot during shootaround before the Gophers faced Eastern Illinois last week. The Gophers are heading to New Orleans for the Big Easy Classic on Friday ...

Though the Gophers expressed disappointment after missing the NCAA March Madness, the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament win last season meant that there was no need to overhaul the program.

Plitzuweit is 47-29 over two seasons at Minnesota, including 13-23 in Big Ten play, with leading scorer Mara Braun missing much of them with foot injuries.

The Gophers will be in Nassau, along with Alabama, Belmont, Harvard, Ohio State, South Florida and West Virginia.

Minnesota women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit has received a two-year contract extension that was approved by the university's board of regents.

Minnesota women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit has received a two-year contract extension that was approved by the university's board of regents.

Minnesota women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit has received a two-year contract extension that was approved by the university's board of regents.

Plitzuweit is 47-29 over two seasons at Minnesota, including 13-23 in Big Ten play, with leading scorer Mara Braun missing much of them with foot injuries.

Minnesota returns the majority of last year's WBIT championship-winning squad, and led by a healthy Mara Braun, they're projected by some to be a top 25 team heading into the season.