Gophers Women's Basketball to Keep Sweet 16 Core Intact for 2026-27

The Gophers' most successful season in more than 20 years ended last Friday with a loss in the Sweet 16 to No. 1 seed UCLA. Less than a full week later, they're set to retain the entire core of returning players on their roster for the 2026-27 season.

The University of Minnesota's official NIL collective, Dinkytown Athletes, has been busy all week. The men's team is set to return Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Grayson Grove, Isaac Asuma and Bobby Durkin. Mara Braun was the first women's player to get a post on X, confirming her return to the program for the 2026-27 season.

That news was followed by Grace Grocholski, Tori McKinney, Makena Christian, Taylor Woodson, Zoey Bershers, Kennedy Klick and Brynn Senden all confirming their return. That means Niamya Holloway is expected to be the only player to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

Braun is Back in the Barn 〽️

Mara Braun returns to the Gophers for the 2026-27 season. @affinity_plus - Proud sponsor of Gopher Athletics pic.twitter.com/tRF6NjKr85
— DinkytownAthletes (@DTAthletes) April 1, 2026

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Current projected 2026-27 roster

G: Tori Oehrlein
G: Mara Braun
G: Grace Grocholski
F: Tori McKinney
F: Taylor Woodson
6th: Natalie Kussow
7th: Makena Christian
8th: Zoey Bershers
9th: Kennedy Klick
10th: Kylee Paben
11th: Adit Kuol
12th: Brynn Senden

Each team is allowed to have up to 15 players on their roster at the Division I level. With four incoming freshmen set to join the roster, Minnesota currently has 12 players expected to be on next season's team. That means they have three available roster spots to add players through the transfer portal.

The two biggest players Minnesota will need to replace are starting point guard Amaya Battle and starting center Sophie Hart. Finau Tonga and Brylee Glenn will also leave a hole in the bench outlook.

Oehlrein and Kussow both have the potential to contribute early in their college careers, but that's a lot to put on the plate for a true freshman. The Gophers have already been linked to Iowa State superstar Audi Crooks, but she seems like an unlikely target given the significant amount of NIL money it would likely take to get her to the Twin Cities.

Minnesota will have expectations of another NCAA Tournament appearence next season with Braun, Grocholski and McKinney back. Their success in the transfer portal this offseason will determine their ceiling. They need to severely upgrade the frontcourt with Woodson and Bershers as the only two returning players with that skillset.

If the Gophers are able to fill their needs in the offseason, there's a chance they could be even better next season in year four under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit.