Minnesota's Sophie Hart is thriving at home. Her nickname even rhymes with the mascot
When Sophie Hart decided about three years ago to transfer home to Minnesota, her then-teammates at North Carolina State sent her off with a clever nickname. Hart's father liked it so much he spearheaded a T-shirt line. The 6-foot-5 Hart has helped the Gophers, who are ranked 18th in the latest Associated Press poll, reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Sophie Hart decided about three years ago to transfer home to Minnesota , her then-teammates at North Carolina State sent her off with a clever nickname. Soph the Goph. Hart's father liked it so much he spearheaded a T-shirt line.
The merch has been a hot item during her final college season, culminating with the program's resurgence and return as a March Madness host . The 6-foot-5 Hart has helped the Gophers, who are ranked 18th in the latest Associated Press poll , reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. They're the No.
4 seed in their quartile of the bracket and will play Green Bay in the first round at Williams Arena on Friday. Hart, who was Minnesota's winner of the Big Ten sportsmanship awards, is averaging 10. 9 points and 6.
6 rebounds per game, both career highs. Her drop-step move on the low block and finishing touch at the basket has become a vital part of a balanced Gophers offense, and her ball skills have continued to be sharpened. “When I’m about to pass it, I always yell her name and she whips her head around, so I'm thinking it might not get there, but then she always comes up with it," guard Tori McKinney said.