Days after the trade that brought Lindsay Whalen back to the Twin Cities, we caught up with current Golden Gophers head coach Pam Borton to get her take on the blockbuster move. Borton relives the memorable 2004 Final Four run, Whalen's lasting impact on the Golden Gopher program and what Lynx fans can expect to see on and off the court from the Hutchinson, Minn. native in 2010.

Question: It's been a few days since Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith made the move to bring back Lindsay Whalen to Minnesota; Has it had time to sink in? Can you explain to us your first reactions upon finding out that Lindsay was coming back?

Pam Borton: "Oh yeah, it was. I was happy for both parties, really. Most importantly excited and happy for Lindsay because I know she wanted to come home, and play here and finish her career in Minnesota. So, I was happy for her and her family that she had the opportunity to do that. Also happy for the Lynx and all of the Minnesota fans that have been waiting for her to have this opportunity as well. I think it's great having her home and I'm happy for all parties."

Q: Two weeks after the trade now, as the buzz around campus subsided a little bit, or is still Whalen-mania in Dinkytown?

Borton: "There's still a lot of interest. I don't think it has stopped. Every place I go - whether it's a restaurant, a coffee shop or a grocery store - all that anyone wants to talk about is Lindsay coming home. That's exciting and it's going to be great. It's still a buzz, and I think it's going to continue to be a buzz while she's here."

Q: Now let's transition to the basketball side of things. Obviously the memorable Final Four run in 2004 that no one will ever forget. As a coach, what do you remember most about that improbable run? Janel McCarville, Lindsay; There were a lot of other impactful players. Being a #7 seed and beating four teams to get to the Final Four... What stands out to you the most?

Borton: "How everyone was so involved. We had such a great, cohesive team; How much fun it was. I felt like we were the cinderella team that no one really believed in. The people that were on our team and in our program were absolutely up in arms and had a pride for this team; They packed Williams Arena. The atmosphere is something that you'll never forget. That run to the Final Four; Each and every game you can remember - UCLA and Kansas State here at home, Boston College in the Sweet Sixteen and Duke in the NCAA Regional Final to make it to the Final Four. That was something we were very excited about obviously for the players, and the school, but also the whole state of Minnesota."

Q: Talk a little bit about Lindsay's impact on the program as a whole. Before she came, Minnesota had made just one NCAA Tournament appearance. Whalen led the team to three NCAA Tourney appearances during her four years, which led to increased interest in the team... All of those things had to help the program tremendously.

Borton: "Well they did. I think to your point, Lindsay put the program on the map. From where it was, to where she left it after she graduated - That's just something that not very many student athletes have the ability to do. It's not just her basketball ability on the floor (that lifted the program), but her ability to be such a great ambassador of the program and the entire university; The way she represented herself; The role model that she was. All genders, through all ages; young, old, male, female - I think everyone really looked at Lindsay as a role model for what she was able to accomplish with this team."

Q: We've seen the behind-the-back passes, the no-looks; Lindsay definitely plays with an exciting style. For those who haven't seen her, or only slightly remember her from her days at the "U", describe what kind of style she brings to the basketball court... Why should fans be excited about her coming back to play in Minnesota on a full-time basis?

Borton: "She plays with a passion, she loves the game, she's a very unselfish, she gives the ball to everyone on the floor and she makes the game look easy. She brings the flashy flare, the kind of hotdog-ish style to the game. She's very, very up-tempo. Unbelievable passing and just her ability to finish when she gets in the game compares to no one."

Q: What's it like to coach a player like that? It has to be a coach's dream to coach a player who's willing to commit themselves to be the best they can be, all while being more than willing to help their teammates out.

Borton: "Well she is. As a coach, I think you're lucky and fortunate to be able to coach a player such as Lindsay. She's very coachable and that makes every coach's job easy. She's like having a coach on the floor. She has a very high IQ for the game and understands it, especially with the position that she plays. There isn't anyone else you'd rather have running your team. As a coach, she just makes things a lot easier."

Q: Minnesota is a team on the rise with the likes of Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Candice Wiggins, Nicky Anosike, Charde Houston and Rebekkah Brunson, among others. How's that level of talent going to help Lindsay's game? I'm not sure Lindsay has played with a scorer of Seimone capabilities...

Borton: "Well, I think she's going to go back in the same situation as when she had Katie Douglas and Nykesha Sales around her. Lindsay had those two players along side of her, which made her job easier. I think this (Minnesota) is a similar situation. She's got two prolific scorers in Candice Wiggins and Seimone Augustus on the wings. In 2004 with Connecticut, she was the rookie with the two veterans (Douglas and Sales) on the wings. Now she's the veteran with the two rookies playing from the wings. I don't think she could ask for a better - I don't want to say supporting cast, because they're not a supporting case. I don't think she could ask for a more talented, youthful, energetic, enthusiastic and passionate team that is ready to take another step. I think to be able to put a veteran point guard with all the talent on the Lynx is something that was definitely needed. You look at the Vikings; You put a veteran quarterback with all that talent and that's 10-fold. I think it's the same situation here."

Q: You touched on it a little bit, but talk more on her leadership in the community and just how well she represented the school...

Borton: "Lindsay is one who's always willing to give back. This community has meant the world to her and it's done a lot for her. I think she'll continue to do that. I think she's excited to get involved with the community again. I think she's missed it. It's time and I know she's ready to jump in with both feet. I know the community has meant a lot to her and she's always wanted to give back. It's a great thing for both parties."