Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit has not had much time off this offseason, not with last season’s Sweet 16 finish to protect and build off of.
After a season that showed major progress for the Gophers, the focus shifted from reflection to retooling. The challenge became how to build around a core that is staying, while replacing the production and leadership from graduating seniors.
The Gophers will bring back the majority of their bench, along with three key starters in redshirt senior guard Mara Braun, junior guard Tori McKinney and senior forward Grace Grocholski. The graduations of center Sophie Hart and guard Amaya Battle still made it necessary to reload.
Plitzuweit got to work, and the Gophers recently announced three portal additions for the 2026-27 season, all looking to elevate the growing program even further.
At 6-6, the headliner of the group, Gracie Merkle, is hard to miss. A dominant redshirt center from Penn State University, Merkle brings offensive production and a defensive presence that can change games.
Merkle averaged 19.2 points per game and 8.2 rebounds, shooting 72.5% from the field. She has become one of the most efficient post players in the country, and her impact goes beyond her height.
“Gracie provides a great presence on both ends of the floor,” Plitzuweit said in a press release. “Her feel for the game and willingness to make the right play make her a valuable addition to our program.”
Merkle’s rise began at Bellarine University, where she was named ASUN Freshman of the Year before proving her game could translate to the Big Ten. She will stay in the conference and have the chance to anchor Minnesota’s frontcourt.
“I chose Minnesota because of the winning culture, the confidence and belief the coaching staff has shown in me from the beginning, and the genuine sense of togetherness within the team,” Merkle said. “It feels like a place where I can grow both as a player and as a person.”
Merkle will not be alone in the paint. Northwestern transfer junior forward Tayla Thomas adds another level of versatility to the post rotation. Thomas brings a physical and athletic presence, leading Northwestern in rebounds and blocks, while still showing flashes of offensive power.
“She’s a very versatile post player who brings athleticism, skill and the ability to rebound and finish plays at a high level,” Plitzuweit said.
Thomas’s decision to play at Minnesota went beyond basketball.
“I chose Minnesota because I wanted a place that feels like home and gives me the opportunity to grow not only as an athlete and student, but as a person grounded in purpose, faith, and the values that matter most to me,” Thomas said.
The Gophers also found a new kind of impact on the perimeter with junior guard Leah Harmon from the University of Central Florida. Harmon averaged 15.7 points per game, starting in every game she was healthy for before an injury cut her sophomore season short. Minnesota will become the setting for her comeback, an opportunity to return and reset.
“Leah is a top-notch student and has significant experience playing at the highest level,” Plitzuweit said. “She’s a very skilled guard who can score at all three levels, create for her teammates, and impact the game defensively.”
Plitzuweit’s belief in Harmon reflects how Harmon feels about the program.
“Everything about the program stood out,” Harmon said. “The coaches believe in me, and I believe in what we’re building.”
The word “building” might sound repetitive, but the goal is clear: for new production to blend with their established group. Plitzuweit has targeted players with skill, but just as importantly, an alignment with the program’s values.
The foundation for next season is already forming, while still several months away. The Gophers will look to make sure the next chapter expands on last season’s success.
