Is there any player in the country who has more pressure on her this year than Lindsay Whalen?

After all she's been through, she can handle it.

She wasn't considered a top recruit. She went to Minnesota because it was close to home. She spent a year under Cheryl Littlejohn, one of the worst coaches in women's hoops.

She was central to the team as the program turned the corner. But just when things finally seemed to be going well, Coach Oldfield left for more money at Maryland.

When it looked like the team would fall apart, she held it all together. Now, after the team went to the Sweet 16 last year, Gopher fans expect even more from Whalen this year.

I don't know if my Gophers really have the talent to compete with the elite teams, but it will be fun to watch them give it a shot.