When the basketball career of a star Gophers recruit was cut short by a rare medical condition two years ago, coach Linda Hill-MacDonald went in search of a player who could fill the void.
It wouldn’t be easy. Toni Melansen of Osseo was an amazing 6-foot-6. That kind of size in the middle would have made the low post an unwelcome territory for Gophers opponents. But with that scenario out the window, Hill-MacDonald needed some size in the middle.
She set her sights on Lynda Hass, a 6-foot-1 forward out of St. Francis, Minn. Though Hass is naturally a small forward, she would have to switch to the post position.
No worry. Hass, now in her second season with the Gophers, had shown a propensity to adapt throughout her basketball career. She stepped in occasionally at center as a freshman but was sidelined for most of the season with a stress fracture.
This season, with the heap of injuries and inexperience thrown on the Sports Pavilion doorstep, Hass was presented with a new challenge: taking on more of the scoring load, from all over the floor.
Hass has done well, coming off the bench and contributing 10 points and four rebounds per game. She’s also the Gophers’ leading 3-point shooter.
Hass’ high school coach, Dean Coffland, said he’s not surprised by his former star player’s success in the college ranks. In three years at St. Francis, Hass helped her team to two conference titles and a share of another.
“As a player, her biggest strength was her versatility,” Coffland said. “I’m excited that she’s getting the opportunity to play away from the basket a little more, because those were the strengths we tried to capitalize on.”
Hass’ most provocative offensive display came against Illinois, where she hit for 19 points and went 2-for-4 from 3-point range. Those two bombs came at the best of times, in the closing moments of the game. But Illinois held on, just barely, for an 89-85 win.
That game was as close as the Gophers have come to breaking their monumental Big Ten losing streak, which now stands at 31 games.
“It’s hard to run into that locker room after every game and wish we would have done better,” Hass said. “We do focus on some of the positives, but it’s tough. I’ve never dealt with this. I’m an emotional person, so I take it really hard.”
Hass joined the team at a time when the program was down, but the aura of the Carol Ann Shudlick still lingered. Now, a total of 40 losses and only six wins later, Minnesota basketball is reeling. Does Hass ever regret her decision?
“There were times last year when you consider the whole opportunity that’s being offered to me here,” Hass said, “I could never pass this up.
“We’re frustrated and we’re really struggling right now, but we’ll be back. And I’ll be excited to be a part of that.”
And Hill-MacDonald will be happy to have her around.
“I’m really pleased with her performance this year,” Hill-MacDonald said. “She’s been thrown into a situation where she’s had to play a lot of minutes, and she’s produced for us.”
The Gophers will need even more from Hass and her teammates to turn things around. Their heads still droop when the final buzzer sounds, but the Gophers don’t appear ready to give up.
So when — not if — that long sought win arrives, Hass said, a lot of weight will be lifted off the team’s shoulders. The worst thing they can do right now is fold.
“Nobody wants to lose to Minnesota,” Hass said, “because we haven’t won in so long. When we do win, it’s really going to mean a lot. We’re going to make a statement.”