Women Minnesota Golden Gophers Break Top 25, Zahui Named Player of Week

No Rachel Banham, no problem apparently for the University of Minnesota’s women’s basketball team. The Golden Gophers have cracked the AP Top 25 this week as they slot in at number 23 in the poll. This is the first time since March 13, 2006 that the Gophers have been featured in the poll.

South Carolina remains number one in the women’s basketball poll.

The top 25 ranking isn’t the only exciting piece of news for the Gophers. Amanda Zahui B. was named ESPN W’s national player of the week. She is averaging 15.9 points per game, 11.5 rebounds and 4.1 blocks a contest.

More from Gold and Gopher

• Must-have Minnesota Golden Gophers items for football season
• Minnesota Golden Gophers Father’s Day Gift Guide
• Minnesota Golden Gophers Gift Guide: 10 Man Cave must-haves
• Get Golden Gophers News, in the New FanSided Android App
• Gold and Gopher Madness: Win $500 or an Apple TV from RetailMeNot and LockerDome

This is all coming as the Gophers are on a ten game winning streak which includes five games since the loss of Banham. The Gophers sit on top of the Big Ten being the only team to have three conference victories. Both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Maryland Terrapins are undefeated in conference as well, but the two teams have only played two conference games.

The Gophers next game is against Maryland at The Barn. Fans will have to wait until Sunday though for the action. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. You can catch the game on ESPN2 and 1500ESPN.

The Gophers won their last contest on Sunday against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Gophers won 72-60 to improve to 14-1 overall. Zahui registered a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Shae Kelly and Carlie Wagner led the Gophers in scoring with 17 and 14 respectively.