Floyd of Minneapolis
For the first time in 4 years, Floyd of Rosedale will spend the year in Minneapolis. With their win over Iowa on Saturday afternoon, the Gopher football team earned the first win at TCF Bank Stadium this season. Minnesota has not had much to celebrate about all season, but this victory let the team finish the season as winners. Although Iowa was the clear favorite on paper, it was certainly crystal clear who the emotional favorite was. The Gophers claimed the lead late in the 4th quarter with a short touchdown run, and cemented their victory by forcing an Iowa fumble on their final possession. It was a truly chaotic scene, as the players sprinted toward the trophy, and the fans charged toward the field. For the Hawkeyes, this was the third straight loss by four points or fewer. All five of their losses have been by a total of 18 points. They came into the game giving up the sixth least rushing yards per game in the nation, but gave up a season high 216 rushing yards to the Gophers. The true game ball goes to a Gopher defense that gave up less than 300 yards and forced two turnovers, after struggling most of the season in many areas. Heart triumphed over skill this year, as the Gophers had everything to gain, and nothing to lose. Interim head coach Jeff Horton finishes the year 2-1 and stakes a hard claim to remain the head coach here at the U, but athletic director Joel Maturi has made it clear he is looking for a bigger name to fill the position. Welcome Back Floyd!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday Sound Off 11/21
What A Vacation
The boys from Minneapolis left Puerto Rico late Sunday night with newfound confidence, a tournament title, and a nice tan. The team came to Puerto Rico looking for all three of these things, but by defeating Western Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia, they certainly established themselves as a team to be reckoned with. With their win over the previously undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers, the Gophers improved to 5-0 on the season, and were crowned champions of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament. The game showcased all of the familiar elements to the Gopher's strategy early in the year. West Virginia came out hot, shooting the lights out from outside in the early going. As we have seen from the Gophers, their persistence and size ultimately won out over the jump-shooting Mountaineers. Casey Mitchell lead the Mountaineers with 27 points and shooting 4-9 from beyond the arc. Mitchell seemed like the only source of offense for most of the game, as they quickly began to struggle in many other areas. Size and control truly won the game for the Gophers, as Colton Iverson and Trevor Mbakwe dominated the boards all night. It was also noted throughout the telecast that Al Nolen often exerted his influence on the game by controlling the tempo and taking it into his own hands to convert crucial possessions into points. The Gophers set out to impress in San Juan, and that is exactly what they did, as I expect them to creep into the Top 25 on Monday.
The boys from Minneapolis left Puerto Rico late Sunday night with newfound confidence, a tournament title, and a nice tan. The team came to Puerto Rico looking for all three of these things, but by defeating Western Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia, they certainly established themselves as a team to be reckoned with. With their win over the previously undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers, the Gophers improved to 5-0 on the season, and were crowned champions of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament. The game showcased all of the familiar elements to the Gopher's strategy early in the year. West Virginia came out hot, shooting the lights out from outside in the early going. As we have seen from the Gophers, their persistence and size ultimately won out over the jump-shooting Mountaineers. Casey Mitchell lead the Mountaineers with 27 points and shooting 4-9 from beyond the arc. Mitchell seemed like the only source of offense for most of the game, as they quickly began to struggle in many other areas. Size and control truly won the game for the Gophers, as Colton Iverson and Trevor Mbakwe dominated the boards all night. It was also noted throughout the telecast that Al Nolen often exerted his influence on the game by controlling the tempo and taking it into his own hands to convert crucial possessions into points. The Gophers set out to impress in San Juan, and that is exactly what they did, as I expect them to creep into the Top 25 on Monday.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday Sound Off 11/14
Love-ing the Effort
One of the strangest things happened on Friday night, a player from the Timberwolves made history. Kevin Love recorded 31 points and 31 rebounds in the Timberwolves' win against the Knicks at the Target Center. Considering that the likes of Paul Pierce and Lebron James felt the need to give props to Love via their Twitter accounts, what K-Love did on Friday was extraordinary. The last person to record a 30-30 performance before Love was Moses Malone, a whole 28 years ago. The Wolves got their 3rd taste of victory behind Love's performance, as they beat the Knicks 112-101. Love actually reached 30 rebounds before reaching the 30 point plateau, which came from him bringing in many of his own missed shots. If your wondering, Love was only 24 rebounds short of 55, which is the record set by Wilt Chamberlain. Michael Beasley added an impressive 35 points to help our cause, it is too bad that his performance was shadowed by one of the most impressive feats of all time. Kevin Love and Michael Beasley have become two pillars of strength that Minnesota can build on for the rest of the season, and in years to come.
One of the strangest things happened on Friday night, a player from the Timberwolves made history. Kevin Love recorded 31 points and 31 rebounds in the Timberwolves' win against the Knicks at the Target Center. Considering that the likes of Paul Pierce and Lebron James felt the need to give props to Love via their Twitter accounts, what K-Love did on Friday was extraordinary. The last person to record a 30-30 performance before Love was Moses Malone, a whole 28 years ago. The Wolves got their 3rd taste of victory behind Love's performance, as they beat the Knicks 112-101. Love actually reached 30 rebounds before reaching the 30 point plateau, which came from him bringing in many of his own missed shots. If your wondering, Love was only 24 rebounds short of 55, which is the record set by Wilt Chamberlain. Michael Beasley added an impressive 35 points to help our cause, it is too bad that his performance was shadowed by one of the most impressive feats of all time. Kevin Love and Michael Beasley have become two pillars of strength that Minnesota can build on for the rest of the season, and in years to come.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday Sound Off 11/7
Gopher Basketball Preview
After making it through the first week of November, the shift of focus from fall to winter seems appropriate in my eyes. With that shift comes the start of the college basketball season and a promising future for what should be one of the most talented Gopher squads in recent years. With Senior leadership coming from Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber, this team seems to have the pieces needed to make a run for a Big Ten Championship. After the Seniors comes a mix of highly talented underclassmen like Ralph Sampson III, Rodney Williams, and Colton Iverson. With coach Tubby Smith in charge, this season could be what Gopher fans need to lift their spirits following a dismal football campaign. Tubby and the boys started off their season on Tuesday night against Northeastern State University of Oklahoma. Although this exhibition tune-up match lacked a sense of urgency, the excitement was undeniable. The Gophers showed very little weakness on either end of the floor as they beat the Riverhawks by a score of 109-59. On the offensive end, the Gophers scored in bunches as Hoffarber hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc in under a minute. Other highlights included the athleticism of Junior transfer Trevor Mbakwe as he imposed his will on the much smaller opposition. This game often felt like a track meet with many fast break opportunities coming from stops on the defensive end. The defense should remain steady throughout the season as length, athleticism, and effort seem evident on each defensive possession. Look for big things from Tubby's Gophers this winter and stay posted for further analysis as the season gets into full swing.
After making it through the first week of November, the shift of focus from fall to winter seems appropriate in my eyes. With that shift comes the start of the college basketball season and a promising future for what should be one of the most talented Gopher squads in recent years. With Senior leadership coming from Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber, this team seems to have the pieces needed to make a run for a Big Ten Championship. After the Seniors comes a mix of highly talented underclassmen like Ralph Sampson III, Rodney Williams, and Colton Iverson. With coach Tubby Smith in charge, this season could be what Gopher fans need to lift their spirits following a dismal football campaign. Tubby and the boys started off their season on Tuesday night against Northeastern State University of Oklahoma. Although this exhibition tune-up match lacked a sense of urgency, the excitement was undeniable. The Gophers showed very little weakness on either end of the floor as they beat the Riverhawks by a score of 109-59. On the offensive end, the Gophers scored in bunches as Hoffarber hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc in under a minute. Other highlights included the athleticism of Junior transfer Trevor Mbakwe as he imposed his will on the much smaller opposition. This game often felt like a track meet with many fast break opportunities coming from stops on the defensive end. The defense should remain steady throughout the season as length, athleticism, and effort seem evident on each defensive possession. Look for big things from Tubby's Gophers this winter and stay posted for further analysis as the season gets into full swing.
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