March Madness News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/march-madness/ Minnesota sports, but different Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:58:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg March Madness News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/march-madness/ 32 32 New Gophers MBB Coach Supposedly Bringing Talent with Him to Minnesota https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/kyan-evans-transfer-niko-medved-minnesota-colorado-state/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 02:10:14 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=61699 Right now, the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team is rudderless. If P.J. Fleck was discussing them, he’d probably say they are without an oar. That’s because head coach Ben Johnson was canned after a lackluster season and four years of mediocrity.

Athletic director Mark Coyle now must find a replacement for Johnson. The assumption has been that Colorado State head coach — and Minneapolis native — Niko Medved will be the choice. That can’t become official, however, until his Colorado State team loses in the NCAA Tournament.

Minnesota Gophers potential coach NIko Medved
Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

As soon as it does become official, Medved will look to transform a Minnesota Golden Gophers program in need of a serious makeover and desperate for more talent. According to LaVelle E. Neal (Star Tribune), Niko will start that process by pilfering talent from his current Rams roster.

Niko Medved may bring Kyan Evans to Minnesota Gophers

Twelve seed Colorado State is fresh off a 78-70 “upset” victory against five seed Memphis during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Rams guard, Kyan Evans, led all scorers with 23 points on just 11 shots. He went 6-of-9 from deep and shot over 64% from the field. Even better, Evans is only a sophomore. And rumor has it he may be on his way East, along with his head coach, when this magical season ends and Niko Medved takes his dream job in Dinkytown, as expected.

In 35 starts this season, Evans averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game (28 MPG). The Kansas City, MO native is only now blossoming, but what he’s already proven with his two years in the Mountain West is that he can shoot the lights out of any arena, something Memphis found out on Friday. Evans shot 47.2% from the field this season, which included an absurd 44.4% from deep.

Related: Supposed Gophers MBB Coach Seeded for NCAA Tournament

Minnesota has already lost some of its 2024-25 talent to the transfer portal, after having their roster decimated last offseason. Medved will need to transform the roster quickly if he wants any chance to win in year one. And unless he has some sort of magic up his sleeve, he’s not going to have time to raise NIL funds. Bringing someone like Kyan Evans with him would be a very nice start, though.

The Minnesota Gophers return very little talent at the guard position next season. Only freshman Isaac Asuma and sophomore Max Sheridan have eligibility remaining, after this season. Sheridan logged only a single minute all season. Asuma — a Cherry, MN native — was Ben Johnson’s huge get on the recruiting trail last offseason. He played in 32 games, averaging 5.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game (24.7 MPG).

Who else could join Medved and Evans with MN Gophers?

Medved may look to bring more than one player with him as well. Forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson is another sophomore who played in 35 games, drawing 28 starts. He is Colorado State’s fourth-leading scorer this season, at 9.1 points per game, behind two seniors and Evans.

Sophomore guard Rashaan Mbemba is an Austrian native who started 28 of 31 games in 2024-25 for the Rams. He averaged 7.2 points, per game. Bowen Born is a 5’11” junior guard who averaged 4.9 points and 1.5 assists in 14.8 MPG. Born began his college career at Northern Iowa and is a Norwalk, Iowa native.

Related: Sounds Like Mark Coyle Has Found the Next Gophers Men’s Basketball Coach

Quite possibly the most logical transfer for Medved is freshman Kyle Jorgenson. The Minneapolis native, and Washburn alum, is just a freshman and played in 33 games this season. He made four starts and the 6’9″ forward has shot 42.9% from the field.

At the end of the day Medved has his work cut out to put together a capable roster. The more familiarity he can bring with him, the better. Minnesota certainly isn’t in a position to scoff at Mountain West transfers.

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Sun, 23 Mar 2025 08:58:13 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball
Gophers Basketball NET Ranking and Postseason Outlook After SoCal Sweep https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-basketball-news/net-ranking-and-postseason-outlook/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:31:56 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=60461 Ben Johnson and the Minnesota Gophers just wrapped up a West Coast road trip vs new Big Ten rivals USC and UCLA. Just like the football team, they welcomed the conference newcomers with a sweep of both SoCal schools. Even more impressive, they had to overcome double-digit second half deficits in each of the two contests.

The Gophers found themselves trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half Tuesday night vs UCLA. That was before Dawson Garcia took over in the second half, pouring in 27 points of his 32 total points to lead the comeback. With the win, Minnesota moves to 6-9 in the Big Ten and 14-12 overall, inching closer to securing a spot in the conference tournament.

Check Out: How to Watch March Madness in 2025

Minnesota Gophers trying to keep March Madness hopes alive

NCAA Basketball: Minnesota at UCLA
Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

After stumbling to an 0-6 start in conference play, many had already written off head coach Ben Johnson as a fired coach walking, including this website’s founder, Eric Strack. But that all changed back on January 16, when the Minnesota Gophers shocked the No. 20 ranked Michigan Wolverines at the Barn to earn their first conference victory.

Including that win over Michigan, Ben’s club has gone 6-3 in their last nine games. Those six victories include two ranked wins, four road wins and four quad one wins. It’s inarguably the best stretch of basketball played by the Golden Gophers since Ben Johnson took the job four years ago.

DateW/LResultOpp NET
(Quad)
RecordB1G
1/16W#20 Michigan 81
Minnesota 84
Quad 19-91-6
1/21WMinnesota 72
Iowa 67
Quad 110-92-6
1/25W#15 Oregon 69
Minnesota 77
Quad 211-93-6
1/28LMinnesota 53
#7 Michigan St. 71
Quad 111-103-7
2/1LWashington 71
Minnesota 68
Quad 311-113-8
2/4WMinnesota 69
Penn State 61
Quad 212-114-8
2/8L#23 Illinois 95
Minnesota 74
Quad 112-124-9
2/15WMinnesota 69
USC 66
Quad 113-125-9
2/18WMinnesota 64
UCLA 61
Quad 114-126-9

After last night’s win, the Minnesota Gophers climbed up in the NET rankings, the key rank used by the NCAA Tournament committee for March Madness seedings. Before the win over UCLA, the Golden Gophers were sitting at 95th in the NET. After the victory, they jumped to 89th, improving to 4-8 in Quad 1 games this season.

Unfortunately, some of Minnesota’s losses this season have completely cratered their NET ranking, which is why — even though they sit above teams like Iowa, Rutgers, Nebraska and Northwestern in the Big Ten standings –they still rank as the second-worst team in the conference, according to the NET Rankings, just ahead of Washington.

NET
Rank
SchoolRecordB1GQ1Q2Q3Q4
10 Wisconsin21-511-47-57-02-05-0
12 Maryland20-610-56-53-13-08-0
13 Purdue19-811-56-78-11-04-0
17 Michigan20-512-26-26-36-02-0
19 Michigan St.21-512-36-45-15-05-0
20 Illinois17-109-87-83-21-06-0
28 UCLA19-810-67-63-12-17-0
29 Ohio St.15-117-84-83-32-06-0
33 Oregon18-87-86-64-25-03-0
46 Nebraska17-97-86-73-12-16-0
57 Indiana15-116-92-113-06-04-0
62 Northwestern13-134-112-82-44-15-0
63 Iowa14-115-90-106-01-17-0
65 Southern California14-116-83-82-13-26-0
80 Penn St.13-133-121-81-34-27-0
81 Rutgers12-145-104-100-22-26-0
89 Minnesota14-126-94-83-20-27-0
94 Washington13-124-101-95-21-05-1
BBall.net

However, the Gophers have now nearly secured a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, which now includes the top 15 of the 18 teams, the Gophers can shift their focus to something bigger: a potential trip to the Big Dance. And believe it or not, their path might be easier than you’d expect.

In their final five games, the Gophers have a pretty manageable schedule. They’ll face three of the weaker teams in the conference, Penn State, Northwestern, and Rutgers, while also taking on a solid Nebraska squad. On top of that, they’ll have another shot at a Quad 1 win when they go up against Wisconsin.

Minnesota Gophers remaining schedule:

  • 2/22 – vs Penn State (13-13)
  • 2/25 – vs Northwestern (13-13)
  • 3/1 – @ Nebraska (17-9)
  • 3/5 – vs #11 Wisconsin (21-5)
  • 3/9 – @ Rutgers (12-14)

If the Gophers can finish the season strong, either winning out to go 11-9 in the Big Ten (19-12) or even going 4-1 to end up 10-10 (18-13), they’d have a real shot at making the NCAA Tournament, as they enter the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, where they’ll have more opportunities for Quad 1 and 2 wins to pad their resume.

Related: Ben Johnson’s Gophers Basketball Program Still Way Behind in NIL

It’s a bummer that the Gophers took so long to find their rhythm this season, especially given some of the brutal teams they have lost to. Their uglies L’s came vs Quad 3 Wichita State (No. 137 NET), Quad 3 Washington (94), Quad 2 North Texas (56), and Quad 2 Wake Forest (58). Turn their Quad 3 losses into wins and Minnesota’s outlook would be completely different.

If they fall short of the Big Dance, the NIT Tournament is still very much on the table. Last year, the Gophers found themselves in a similar position, finishing with a 19-15 record and 9-11 in conference play, which was good enough to qualify for the NIT, as a Wild Card seed.

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Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:25:32 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball News Minnesota Gophers Basketball
How hard is it to win the NCAA Tournament? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/uncategorized/how-hard-is-it-to-win-the-ncaa-tournament/ Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:50:00 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=41714 The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, better known as March Madness, is a 68-team single-elimination tournament held every spring to determine the national champion of Division I men’s college basketball. It is the ultimate test in college sports and one of the biggest basketball events in the world with millions of fans watching the action.

Betting on the NCAA basketball competition is also big business, and it is one of the busiest times on the sports calendar for bookmakers, who pull out all the stops to offer deals such as the popular FanDuel March Madness promo.

It is also extremely difficult to win the tournament. Only 15 colleges have won it more than once. So far this century, only Florida has won back-to-back titles. So, what makes it so difficult for teams to win this famous tournament and earn the crown of the best college team in men’s basketball?

Ultra-competitive

The tournament is one of the most competitive in US sports. First a college needs to earn its place in the March Madness competition, and only 68 of the 350 college basketball programs will be able to do that. In the tournament itself, the level of competition is incredibly high.

All teams must win six straight games against some of the best college basketball teams in the country to win the championship. These teams feature players who have been recruited from all over the world and many boast All-American caliber players and future NBA stars.

ncaa tournament march madness
Photo: Streeter Lecka – Getty Images
High pressure

Teams, fans and alumni all have high expectations for their team’s performance in the tournament. The pressure to live up to these expectations can be intense for players and coaches, especially if the team is a top seed or has a deep run in the tournament, and if the team’s supporters and officials have high expectations or a strong tradition of success, that pressure is intense.

While March Madness can be the launchpad for an NBA career, it also brings national and even global attention to relatively young athletes, in some cases, for the first time in their lives. Learning how to deal with that pressure can take time.

The unpredictability of March Madness

Unlike many other sports in the US, the NCAA tournament is known for its upsets and Cinderella stories, which explains the appeal for basketball fans who fill in their ‘brackets’ each spring, attempting the near impossible task of predicting every game.

The tournament uses a single-elimination format, meaning that a team only gets one chance to advance. This adds an extra layer of tension and unpredictability to each game, as a loss ends a team’s season, while a win keeps their championship hopes alive. A lower seed can beat a higher seed in any given game, making it difficult to predict the outcome of any given match-up.

This unpredictability is enhanced by the short turnaround of the competition. The tournament is held over three weeks, which means that teams must play multiple games in a short period of time and maintaining consistency from one game to the next presents a challenge.

The endurance factor

The NCAA tournament is often referred to as a marathon, not a sprint, and for good reason. Teams must play six games in three weeks, often with just one day of rest in between. The physical and mental toll of the tournament can be overwhelming for players.

Injuries can play a significant role in this tournament. While some teams are clearly stronger than others, it is rare for a college basketball program to have the same depth as you would expect from an NBA team, and that makes the star players on a team even more important.

One player’s absence can change the outcome of a game, and not every player has the physical constitution to withstand the tournament’s demands. The unpredictability of injuries can make it difficult to predict the outcome of a match-up, especially in close games. This makes the entire tournament reliant on endurance and stamina just as much as athletic skill.

Summary

Winning the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is a formidable task that requires a combination of talent, preparation and luck. With the level of competition, pressure, unpredictability, short turnaround and fatigue that come with this event, it’s no surprise that winning a national championship in college basketball is considered one of the greatest achievements in sports.

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Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:15:09 +0000 Uncategorized
Entire 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament to be Held at One Location https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/entire-2021-ncaa-mens-basketball-tournament-to-be-held-at-one-location-indianapolis-likely/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/entire-2021-ncaa-mens-basketball-tournament-to-be-held-at-one-location-indianapolis-likely/#respond Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:52:22 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=31270

The 68-team NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, or “March Madness” as most normal people call it, will now be held at one singular location in 2021. It’s looking like Indianapolis, according to Jeff Goodman (Stadium).




US Bank Stadium was supposed to host the 2021 Midwest Regional Bracket but that will not be the case anymore.

This is a smart thing for the NCAA to do. They need to make sure they do whatever they can to make March Madness happen. The money lost because of cancelling 2020’s tournament cannot afford to be repeated.

This likely turns into a bubble scenario because that’s what makes the most sense. Hopefully we’ll be coming out of this whole thing by March but the NCAA can’t gamble on that risk. Everyone is learning from a distance anyway so a bubble shouldn’t be nearly as difficult as it normally would be.

Fan Bubble

If the NCAA was smart they would also start collecting money from fans who want to pay to be a part of a March Madness “fan bubble”, where fans can be sequestered in Indianapolis (or wherever this is held), separate from the players and coaches, so they can be a part of the activities too.

The NCAA Tournament won’t be the same without fans and the league would be heralded by the sports world if they are the first to return people to stadium seats safely. You can guarantee there are fans itching out there who would pay premium dollar to be a part of something like this.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/entire-2021-ncaa-mens-basketball-tournament-to-be-held-at-one-location-indianapolis-likely/feed/ 0 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:33:14 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball
Gophers Move on to Elite 8 After 2-OT Thriller vs Clemson https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-move-on-to-elite-8-after-2-ot-thriller-vs-clemson/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-move-on-to-elite-8-after-2-ot-thriller-vs-clemson/#respond Sun, 22 Mar 2020 03:10:31 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=22914

The Gophers continued their incredible 1996-1997 season on Friday vs the Clemson Tigers, in a packed Alamo Dome. Fans got 10 extra minutes of gameplay, than what they bargained for, on a night that I’m sure will go down in history (and then be erased from it).

It didn’t look that way, to start. The Gophers completely dominated the first 15 minutes of this Sweet-16 matchup and it looked like this one might get away early. They couldn’t miss. Midway through the half, Bobby Jackson, Sam Jacobson and Co. were shooting 77% from the field…




The Gophers cooled off at the end of the 2nd half though, and Clemson caught fire, leading to a rabid comeback. In no-time, a lead that stood strong at around 15 points for most of the first, was down to just 6 points when the teams entered the locker room.

The second half didn’t start off much better. Bobby Jackson had gone cold and that’s part of what drove the comeback for Clemson. Just a couple minutes into the second, Bobby had the ball at the right-side wing and, during live play, turned to the ref and said something that was aggregious enough for him to be T’d up on the spot.

Clem Haskins immediately pulled him out and had to talk him down. As Bobby grabbed a warmup and tried to relax, Sam Jacobson reminded the country how he plans on playing in the NBA, too.

With a man in his face and Bobby venting, Sam raised up and drilled this 3-pointer before going back and playing POST defense that single-handedly caused a turnover. Sam does it all… and the Gophers needed it in this moment.



From that point forward… this game was a heavyweight bout. Both teams through haymakers back and forth, showing us what great college basketball looks like. I have a feeling, future college basketball just won’t be the same.

Like many of these March Madness games do, this Sweet 16 street fight came down to clutch free throws… and the Sophomore Quincy Lewis, who I think has a very real future in local TV broadcasting, wasn’t up to the challenge.

He needed both free throws to ice the game and send Minnesota to the Elite 8. He needed one to secure a 3-point lead. Instead, he missed both and that led to this game-tying layup, which sent the game to its first OT. Clem Haskins took blame for the bad transition defense, saying he was too worried about the 3 that would have won it for the Tigers.



“We didn’t want to let them beat us with a three, and we told them to get back on defense,” he said. “I think that was a case of overcoaching, because we got too concerned with the three that we let them get an easy basket.” — Clem Haskins

The Baltimore Sun – March 21, 1997

The first OT felt like the Gophers trying to hang on and Rick Barnes was frustrated after the game, because Clemson didn’t take advantage (quote below) I’m sure he felt like there was a chance for Clemson to go for the jugular…

They took an early 4-point lead but the Gophers were able to hold it together and actually had a chance to win at the buzzer… but Bobby Jackson clanked a mid-range jumper (a shot I think might disappear in 20 years) that would’ve kept us from the 2nd overtime… which was all gophers.

With Minnesota up 4 of their own points and 1:40 left on the clock, Bobby crossed half-court… where the ball would stay until it was ticking under :40. It was an incredibly possession, that essentially ended the game. Jackson rose up and buried a 15-footer to put the maroon and gold up 6. Even more clutch than his make though, was Courtney James’ offensive rebound to extend the possession.



Jackson would finish with 36 points and 9 rebounds. Jacobson helped out with 29 of his own. The rest of the team scored 25 combined. This is nothing new from the Gophers, though. Batman Bobby and Robin Sam have been stopping opponents in their tracks all season.

That’s why Jackson was named Big Ten Player of the Year.



When it was all said and done, this was one of the better college basketball games I’ve seen played and the coaches agree… though Clemson coach Rick Barnes didn’t want to talk about that postgame.


“Wow — that’s my statement for the game,” said Minnesota coach Clem Haskins. “I’ve been a part of a lot of games — over 2,000 to be exact as a player and a coach — and this one ranks right up there with all of them. These guys refused to die. They refused to quit.” — Clem Haskins

The Baltimore Sun – March 21, 1997

“We all know it was a great game, but right now everyone on our team feels very disappointed. We did a great job to get the game into overtime, but we didn’t do a great job executing in the first overtime.” — Rick Barnes

The Baltimore Sun – March 21, 1997

Now, the Gophers look to the Elite 8, where UCLA and a chance at the Final 4, awaits.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan



We replayed this game, from the below YouTube video, as a large group on Twitter today. Ryan James of GopherIllustrated.com (247 Sports) coordinated the effort. I believe his plan is to do the same thing with the UCLA game, next weekend. Follow him on Twitter, to keep updated on that viewing party.

Here is the full game from the YouTube channel we watched on:



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NCAA Tournament Will Go On Without Fans in the Stands; NBA Expected to Follow Suit https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/ncaa-tournament-will-go-on-without-fans-in-the-stands-nba-expected-to-follow-suit/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/ncaa-tournament-will-go-on-without-fans-in-the-stands-nba-expected-to-follow-suit/#respond Wed, 11 Mar 2020 21:06:58 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=22584

While the NBA is currently on a conference call to discuss this same subject, the NCAA has taken action and we will be watching March Madness from our televisions… yes, everyone. There will not be any fans allowed in stadiums around the country, while the NCAA Tournament and other “Championship Events” around the country.

For now, conference tournaments like the one the Gophers are set to play in less than an hour, will still go on as planned…

There is no reason to panic. Check with the CDC to stay up to date on the latest happenings and procedures. This makes sense and we need to act as one country while we try to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Keeping hundreds of thousands of people out of stadiums and large gatherings will slow the spread. It doesn’t mean we are all going to die. Let’s be smart about this and move around it together.

It looks like the start to the Twins’ season will also be moved around, due to the virus.



Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/ncaa-tournament-will-go-on-without-fans-in-the-stands-nba-expected-to-follow-suit/feed/ 0 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:33:34 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball
Richard Pitino’s Last Stand Comes Wednesday Night vs #9 Maryland https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/richard-pitinos-last-stand-comes-wednesday-night-vs-9-maryland/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/richard-pitinos-last-stand-comes-wednesday-night-vs-9-maryland/#respond Wed, 26 Feb 2020 02:55:02 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=22027

I just got done binging the “WASHINGTON” documentary on The History Channel this weekend, so Maryland coming to Williams Arena on Wednesday for Richard Pitino’s last NCAA Tournament stand of the regular season might as well be destiny.

Need more divine intervention to sway you? By some miracle, the Gophers jumped double digit spots in the NET Rankings after their dominating win at Northwestern, climbing all the way back up to #42. They may not be on Joe Lunardi’s bubble anymore but they are in the same area of the NET, as what they were before three disappointing losses to Iowa, Indiana and Penn State.

The Gophers sitting that high in the NET and NOT being projected as an NCAA tournament team, is an anomaly if you look at the rest of the schools around them (projections via Joe Lunardi – Updated 2/24):


NET RankingTeamRecordProjected NCAA Seed (Lunardi)
40Alabama15-12Next Four Out
41Arizona St.19-89-seed
42Minnesota13-13OUT
43Xavier17-10Last Four Byes
44Wichita State20-7Last Four Byes
45Arkansas17-10OUT
46UNI21-5IN

And what do you think is going to happen to those NET Rankings and NCAA projections if the Gophers pull out a shocker vs the Terrapins (#10 NET | #9 AP) on Wednesday night?

It’s going to blow those current projections into space. We’d be knocking on the top-30 of the NET, you’d think. Last year, Little Ricky saved his job by winning a late game just like this against a highly-rated Purdue team, sparking an undefeated finish and a run into the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

He’ll need this game vs Maryland, to hopefully spark the same type of run. If they get the MD win though, the Gophers still have three games to finish the season, and it’s not an easy schedule:

  • 3/1: @ Wisconsin
  • 3/4: @ Indiana
  • 3/8: Nebraska

Even after this game vs Maryland, the Gophers remaining schedule is a gauntlet. Playing at the Kohl Center and at Assembly Hall is no fucking joke. If you can pull the upset vs Maryland though, you might only need one of those two vs the Badgers and Hoosiers.

If you lose vs MD, the difficulty level of the games that follow could make rebounding before the Big Ten Tournament even more difficult.

Just like the rest of us, Mark Coyle really seems to like Richard. It looks like he is looking for reasons to keep him. Pitino has young talent already on the roster (as long as Carr and/or Oturu stay) and he has Jamal Mashburn Jr on the way. If Coyle can watch Pitino and his crew dance in March, fate might be sealed with Pitino as our coach for the long term.

So this is your opportunity, Richard… In every battle, in every war, there are turning points. George Washington was one more lost battle away from losing the revolutionary war before it really ever began. He would have been shipped back to England, where he would have been unfairly tried, and put to death. But then, he snuck across the Delaware River in the dead of winter and took his first major battle, changing the entire outlook of the world forever.

Richard just needs to win a basketball game.



Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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Ep. 47: Twins to the World Series and Boycotting NCAA Tournaments https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ep-47-twins-to-the-world-series-and-boycotting-ncaa-tournaments/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ep-47-twins-to-the-world-series-and-boycotting-ncaa-tournaments/#respond Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:34:41 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=14452 [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.3″ global_module=”12608″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.3″][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ max_width=”32%” module_alignment=”center”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.19.14″ text_orientation=”center”]

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EPISODE 47 SUMMARY

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In episode 47, Brandon and Eric dive deep into the Minnesota Twins optimism now that we have a series win over Cleveland under our belts.

It’s not all positive though, as the NCAA Tournament is evil and we discuss whether it’s worth watching the tournament next year or worth spending time at US Bank stadium/downtown for this year’s Final Four.

We recap the Gopher Basketball season as JellyFam looks to transfer away.

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Episode Chapters

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Intro (Eric’s Sex Flex)
Support MSF – Buy our shirts
So hot for the Twins rn
Fuck March Madness
Recapping Gopher Bball and Richard Pitino
Bye Bye Jelly – Washington Transferring
The Wolves have no future
Don’t forget to buy our shirts

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https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ep-47-twins-to-the-world-series-and-boycotting-ncaa-tournaments/feed/ 0 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:27:52 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball
Gophers Can Beat Spartans and Gabe Kalscheur Will Be the Key on Both Ends https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-can-beat-spartans-and-gabe-kalscheur-will-be-the-key-on-both-ends/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-can-beat-spartans-and-gabe-kalscheur-will-be-the-key-on-both-ends/#respond Sat, 23 Mar 2019 18:49:56 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=14219 [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.14″]

First, let’s get this out of the way. I’m not going to sit here and complain about the terrible job that the NCAA Tournament committee did on seeding the Big Ten teams in this tournament. As I type, the Maryland Terrapins are in a barn burner with LSU (they ended up losing on a buzzer-beater). If they win, they will be playing another Big Ten team next round in either Michigan State or Minnesota… for those two teams, it’d be the 2nd straight Big Ten team they would face (out of 3 tourney games)… That’s without even mentioning the 6 of 7 wins the Big Ten pulled out of the first round of games… but I’m not going to complain about any of that.

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What I am going to do, is hype up my Minnesota Gophers. We are 5 hours from tip and I spent 3 of my hours this morning making the trip from Eagan to Little Falls to hang out with family during the game (and I needed someone to watch my kid). In between pull-over stops with my son, I was able to convince myself that the Golden Gophers have a real chance of winning this game tonight vs Michigan State.

First, we need to remember that this isn’t the same Gopher team we saw for a lot of the season. Since losing to Rutgers in late-February, the Gophers have gone 5-2 with wins vs a tier-1 Penn State team, 2 wins over a top-15 Purdue team, and an NCAA Tournament win over Louisville.

Michigan State is going through a lot of controversy right now, after an overblown sideline tirade by Tom Izzo, and didn’t play well in round one. The Gophers on the other hand, are playing the best basketball of their season, by far.

The key to this game might again be Gabe Kalscheur. If the Gophers hit 10+ threes like they did in round 1 (11), it’s going to be tough to beat us. Our defense is just too good. If we are going to rain those tre’s then we all know most will have to come from the sharp-shooting Freshman.

But, he will have to bring that offensive game while playing an even more important role defensively. Stopping Cassius Winston will be priority number one for Pitino’s squad on defense. I’d imagine Gabe will be the guy tasked with stopping him. If Kalscheur can contain Winston and still bring a top-3 scoring role on offense, we will be Sweet 16-bound…

I’m starting to sweat.

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via GIPHY

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-can-beat-spartans-and-gabe-kalscheur-will-be-the-key-on-both-ends/feed/ 0 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:34:25 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball
Gophers Beat Up Louisville in 1st Round Upset https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-beat-up-louisville-in-1st-round-upset/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-beat-up-louisville-in-1st-round-upset/#respond Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:46:42 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=14168 [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.14″]

After a season of ups and downs that resembled some of the best roller coasters on the planet, Richard Pitino and the Gophers got the ultimate vindication when they dominated the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this afternoon.

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The success started where it always does and that’s Amir Coffey and Jordan Murphy. Amir Coffey was aggressive from the tip and it allowed Murphy to dominate from 15 feet and in, not to mention the offensive and defensive glass. Speaking of defense, the Gophers slapped Louisville in the face with their Big Ten-style defense. I don’t know how much of that Louisville had seen throughout the season because they looked stifled by it.

However, the story of the game was the Freshman, Gabe Kalscheur, who went off for 24 points and 5 3-pointers, many of which came early in the second half when the Gophers pulled away. Gabe might have to look twice when he sees who was talking about him while he was dropping heat…

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GAME / POSTGAME / SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/gophers-basketball/gophers-beat-up-louisville-in-1st-round-upset/feed/ 0 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:34:26 +0000 Minnesota Gophers Basketball