Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Minnesota Basketball Recruit Joe Coleman Wins Mr. Basketball

Joe ColemanJoe Coleman had quite the week. The Hopkins senior captured his 3rd straight Class AAAA championship with Hopkins on Saturday and on Tuesday was named Minnesota's "Mr. Basketball." The super athletic guard had a great state tournament, capped off with a state championship victory over Eden Prairie. Coleman is a Minnesota Gopher recruit and will be joining the squad next season. His head coach, who has coached numerous Division 1 players and even Kris Humphries of the NBA, said Coleman was "the most athletic player I've ever coached."

Jerry Kill & Spring Practice

Jerry KillSpring practice is underway for the Golden Gophers football team. This is the first sight for Golden Gopher football fans to see new head coach Jerry Kill and the team. After reading some recent articles about the practices, it seems that head coach Kill is definitely a tough guy. He has been adamant about being physically fit and tough. He has also been vocal about the players earning higher grades academically and being on time. When it's all said and done, Jerry Kill will be graded on wins and loses. However, it's very nice to see the new head coach demanding toughness and discipline. You get the sense that he won't allow soft players or a soft program, which is refreshing.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Murray Warmath, Former Minnesota Gopher Coaching Legend Passes Away

Murray WarmathMurray Warmath has passed away at age 98. Murray Warmath was the head coach of the Minnesota Gophers Football team from 1954 to 1971. In his 18-year coaching career at Minnesota, Warmath went 87–78–7 overall, and 65–57–4 in the Big Ten. He led the Gophers to a National Championship in 1960 and a Rose Bowl victory in 1961 over UCLA. The 1960 National Championship is the most recent National Championship in football for the University of Minnesota. He turned out a number of great players and fielded many great teams. The Humboldt, Tennessee native passed away in Bloomington, Minnesota. You will be missed Murray.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Will Tubby Smith Stay?

Tubby SmithEarlier this week, there were reports that Tubby Smith was in discussions with the University of Arkansas. Arkansas's coach was fired recently and they are looking to hire a new basketball coach for a program that won the 1994 NCAA Championship. However, Tubby Smith responded by saying he wants to stay put in Minnesota. Is Tubby telling the truth? Is Tubby Smith on the verge of leaving Dinkytown?

Aaron Ness Departs For New York Islanders

Aaron NessAaron Ness has departed from the Minnesota Gophers and will sign a contract with the New York Islanders. Aaron Ness was a Mr. Hockey award winner while playing at Roseau High School, a small town located in the top left corner of Minnesota. Ness was a solid defender for the Minnesota Gophers. Although small in stature, Ness was a reliable defender and has a high hockey IQ. Good luck to Aaron Ness and best of luck in the NHL! Make Minnesota proud!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Minnesota Gophers Swept by Alaska Anchorage

Alaska AnchorageThe pain continues. After a tough football season, a rough basketball season, the hockey season now comes to an end. The Minnesota Gophers were swept by Alaska Anchorage over the weekend in the first round of the WCHA Tournament. The Seawolves won by 4-3 and 2-0 scores, a sweep that leaves Minnesota Gophers fans wondering what is going on. That will be now 3 straight seasons without qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. I am truly at a loss of words.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Minnesota Gophers Fall 75-65 to Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten Tournament

Minnesota Gophers vs. Northwestern WildcatsThe Minnesota Gophers fell to the Northwestern Wildcats 75-65 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament yesterday, putting a possible end to their season. Minnesota had been on a historic slide the 2nd half of the season and the loss just cements the disappointing season. Michael Thompson scored 35 points for the Northwestern Wildcats. Trevor Mbakwe led the team with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Ralph Sampson III chipped in 12 points. The loss leaves Gophers fans wondering what went wrong this year. They might make the NIT Tournament, but we had hopes for the NCAA.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Minnesota Gophers Unbeaten Streak Reaches 7

Nick BjugstadThe Minnesota Gophers Hockey team is getting hot at the right time. Over the weekend, the Minnesota Gophers traveled up to Bemidji and took 3 out of 4 points against the Bemidji State Beavers. On Friday night, the two teams tied 3-3 after Bemidji scored the tying goal with 40 seconds left to send the game into overtime. On Saturday night, the Minnesota Gophers responded with a 3-2 overtime victory. Nick Bjugstad, who has been playing absolutely lights out since the World Juniors Tournament scored the game-winning goal. He also scored one in regulation. The team will now host the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves in the first round of the WCHA Tournament. The Minnesota Gophers grabbed the #5 seed with a total of 31 points.

Minnesota Gophers Fall to Penn State

Rodney WilliamsThe Minnesota Gophers fell to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday at Williams Arena. The final score read Penn State 66, Minnesota 63. The loss leaves the Gophers stumbling. After a season that started with such promise, the team has lost 8 of the last 9 to end the regular season. Talor Battle scored 22 points for the Nittany Lions and Blake Hoffarber had 17 for the Gophers. The 6-12 Big Ten record is the worst conference record the team has had under head coach Tubby Smith. However, with the Big Ten Tournament approaching, the team has a slight chance at least to qualify for the NCAA Tournament with a Big Ten Tournament Championship. While it will be a tough task, there is still a chance at least.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Minnesota Gophers Wrap Up Regular Season at Bemidji State

Bemidji StateThe Minnesota Gophers hockey team will travel to Bemidji State this weekend to take on the Bemidji State Beavers. This is the first season for the Beavers in the WCHA. Although they've had a few growing pains, they are a scrappy bunch and have the best powerplay unit in the conference. Meaning, the Minnesota Gophers need to stay out of the box. Currently 19th in the Pairwise Rankings, a sweep would be huge and put the Gophers even closer to hopefully making the NCAA Tournament. Get your Minnesota Gophers tickets with Ticket King!

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