The Daily Gopher: FanPosts

Big Ten represents

2010-03-22T02:03:36Z

The Big Ten has sent three teams to the Sweet 16. That is more than any other conference. The Big 12, SEC and Big East each sent two teams. Seven other conferences sent one team each. Not that this means diddly squat. I'm just sayin'...

Some ballyhooed conferences (think east coast) have proven to be over rated. And west coast hoops is not as down as advertised. I guess, in the end, one must judge teams on their own merits; not by the conference to which they belong. But at least until Thursday, the Big Ten rules.

SB Nation Survey + Chance to donate $500 to a charity of this community's choice

2010-03-20T00:48:05Z

>> Take SB Nation Survey

Hello sports fans! We're always striving to provide you with the best experience possible and it's been quite some time since we checked in with you.

So we're rolling out this survey to learn more about you and your sports world. It should only take about 10 minutes to complete.

We really appreciate your time and this is also going to help make a donation to a good cause.

By next Thursday (3/25) at 11:59pm PST the site that has the highest percentage of their community filling out the attached survey about their sports interests and consumption will win $500 to donate to a charity of their choice. We will leave it up to the discretion of the community manager(s) of the winning blog to decide how to choose the particular charity.

You can take the survey HERE

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WYR2WQT

Thanks for your support!

Gang Green Nation Article On Eric Decker

2010-03-16T04:20:10Z

We all know Eric Decker is God-reincarnate. However it is nice to see Decker get some outside love as well

Gang Green Nation, a SBN blog for the Jets, scouted Eric Decker as a potential draft choice. Overall they really like him and find little flaws. I think, with a little training, Eric Decker will be a great WR.

I really hope the Vikings draft him btw. LOL

Here's the link:

http://www.ganggreennation.com/2010/3/15/1374627/scouting-the-draft-eric-decker-wr#32635173

Enjoy!

Williams Dunk

2010-03-03T14:33:13Z

Yes I understand the Gophers let down Tuesday night in Michigan, yes i understand they are all but out of the NCAA tourney, yes I know it was a dissapointing season, and yes I know that Tubby's streak of 20 win seasons will likely fall but oh my...........................Did anyone see Rodney Williams breakaway 360 dunk? That was ridiculous, I say in our next game against Iowa we just run our offense through him and try to make this years team highlight film in one game because quite frankly there ain't much else going on.

Another near collapse

2010-02-27T23:14:36Z

Well the Gophers went on the road to Illinois today with one last chance to make some sort of statement to anyone who still cares. They held a 15 to 19 point lead with anywhere from 9 to 7 minutes remaining at which time they proceeded to go into a stall type offense, unbelievable. With that much time left I dont care how much your ahead by you need to continue to play with the same intensity and drive that got you that lead. It was obvious the guards were instructed to break the 3/4 court pressure and then pull the ball back which is frustrating. The Illini were able to claw there way back into this one due to Minnesota's lack of offense aggresiveness and a few homer calls, not to mention some good 3 point shooting from Illinois, but to see the men in maroon let off the throttle like that is not what you wanna witness at this time of year. Hopefully we can pick up the next couple games and show something in the big ten tourney in order to get a spot in the big dance where we may be good enough to win a game or two.

Iverson a difference maker for Goph's

2010-02-27T15:45:50Z

PJ, you are a bit hard on Colt. His last minute attempt at a putback looked like an off-balance attempt to not get called for traveling since he was pretty obviously falling down. His energy on defense was great - watching him slide across the floor with a couple of boilers riding him was fun!! The next couple of years with Colt and RSIII should put some pride back in the Golden Gopher camp. Looking forward to it!!

Letter from Tubby Smith regarding the Wisconsin game

2010-02-24T06:50:40Z

Dear Barnyard members:

I want to express my sincere appreciation for your tremendous support this season. Our student section has created an electric atmosphere in the Barn all year.

We need to maintain the great home court advantage that you provide and continue to make the Barn one of the toughest arenas for visiting teams. However, we need to make sure that we are cheering with respect. "F--- the Badgers" and the chant directed at Coach Bo Ryan have no place in Williams Arena. Vulgar cheers do little to intimidate an opponent and reflect poorly on us.

We have a huge game on Wednesday night against the Purdue Boilermakers, the #3 team in the country, and we need you to keep us rolling towards the post-season. Your continued enthusiasm for our two remaining home games is vital but let's make sure that families and visiting fans see the way we support our team - with class!

Thank you for your loyal support. We will do our best to keep the momentum going and we hope you will continue to prove that you are the best fans in college basketball.

I know you will get the Barn rocking on Wednesday night!

Coach Tubby Smith

---

I like Tubby, but deal with it. This is expected to happen in the oldest rivalry in college sports and has happened in previous years without people complaining. The only reason they're complaining now is because it was on ESPN.

What's next, a letter yelling at college students for drinking alcohol while underage?

Revisiting Tubby vs. Brewster Debate

2010-02-16T02:35:58Z

A couple of months ago I argued that Tubby hasn't really done much more for MN BB than Brewster has for football and it was met with allegations of me sniffing glue or having no knowledge of sports whatsoever. I can't help but wonder if everyone feels as strongly at this moment that there is no contest between the two. Our FB team finished 7th and 8th the last 2 years. Conversely or BB team finished 7th and is currently ranked 8th this year and it is likely they will finish 8th.

We have also seen questionable coaching this year (ie... pressing teams that are more athletic, still running an offense where the players stand around, and forcing the ball inside when we are turning it over more than scoring by doing that). I have never questioned the "heart" of any of Brewster's teams like I have of this BB team either.

For those that attacked my delusionality or sports acumen, I will be accepting apologies below and I personally vow not to bring it up again.

Blogging the Bracket

2010-02-11T20:33:21Z

Over at Blogging the Bracket we see the Gophers matched up with Marquette .... in the NIT. We're a 6 seed. Marquette is a 3. Ouch.

Locking Down the Borders?

2010-02-11T01:48:07Z

I came across an interesting article written by Buck Bravo in 2008 regarding how well Minnesota has done in keeping the top 5 rated players each year in MN. From 2003-2006 Mason kept 2 out of the top 20 kids at home (10%). I didn't personally realize it was that bad.

Brewster from 2008-2010 has kept 6 of the top 15 at home (40%). He has also picked up two of those from the 2006 class for Mason. (Carufel and Royston) Hmmnnn, same number as Mason.

By comparison, Wisconsin manages to keep 60% or more of their top 5 talent and they were landing better than 10% of the top 5 MN recruits during the Mason years.

We have seen improvement in this area, not to the degree we would like, but considerable improvement. Part of that is no doubt the TCF Bank stadium, but you also have to bive Brewster credit for the effort he and his staff put into recruiting. It will take winning to make a big improvement on that number and I think we would all wecome that.

The Law of Unintended Consequences and You

2010-02-10T17:48:40Z

The legislature is back in session, which means it's time for another round of action by the Minnesota government that will inevitably affect Gopher fans. Last year it was the blatantly incompetent attempt at populism through the alcohol bill. This year, like it or not, is the lack of proposal for a Vikings stadium. While you may or may not be a fan of the Vikings, they do have a few effects on Gophers. For some reason that escapes me, the coaches in the past have said it's a benefit to recruiting to have them in town. Another issue is that if the Vikings leave there will be more attention focused on the Gophers, good and bad. The media tends to focus solely on the negative, which will probably not change because the media here is crap (If you're a member of the Twin Cities media and reading this, sorry, but the truth hurts). The only thing that could get that to change would be winning, because the media here is a bunch of whores. The other issue I can think of right away is that if the Gophers football team is the only show in town, you can expect ticket prices to go up. How much would clearly be up for debate, but people love to go to football games, and the Gophers would be the big kid on the block once again. A numbers geek could have a field day thinking about the possibilities for the Maroon and Gold if this does play out.

Big Ten Tourney tickets on sale Monday

2010-02-09T19:15:24Z

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Beginning Monday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. ET, both all-session and single-session tickets for the 2010 Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will be on sale to the general public. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000, and through the Conseco Fieldhouse box office and www.consecofieldhouse.com.

For the men’s tournament, single-session tickets range from $30 to $75 depending on session and seat location. All-session tickets are available for $220 or $165 depending on seat location, which represents a savings of almost 20 percent over purchasing single-session tickets for all five sessions. Orders will be limited to 12 all-session or single-session tickets.

In addition, students of the 11 Big Ten universities have the option to purchase a $50 men’s tournament all-session ticket for the first time. Student section seating will be available in eight balcony sections and orders will be limited to four all-session tickets. For more details on the student ticket program, contact your university ticket office. Student section seating is limited, so students are encouraged to contact their ticket office as soon as possible while seats remain available.

For the women’s tournament, single-session ticket prices vary from $12 to $16 depending on session, while all-session tickets are available for $65.

Conseco Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis will be the site of the women’s tournament from March 4-7 and the men’s tournament from March 11-14. Each tournament week features all 11 Big Ten teams competing in 10 games over four days for the 2010 tournament crown and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

The Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home through 2012. The 2010 tournaments mark the sixth time Indianapolis has hosted the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse and the Circle City’s 15th Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The brackets for the 2010 Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, along with information on tickets, travel, lodging, tournament history and more, can be found at both www.bigten.org and www.indianasportscorp.com.

The tournament schedule is as follows with single-session ticket prices listed for each session (game times are Eastern):

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament:

Session 1 (First Round; 3 games beginning at Noon) – Thurs., March 4 – ($12)

Session 2 (Quarterfinals; 2 games beginning at 11:30 a.m.) – Fri., March 5 – ($14)

Session 3 (Quarterfinals; 2 games beginning at 6 p.m.) – Fri., March 5 – ($14)

Session 4 (Semifinals; 2 games beginning at 5 p.m.) – Sat., March 6 – ($16)

Session 5 (Championship Game; beginning at 4:30 p.m.) – Sun., March 7 – ($16)

Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament:

Session 1 (First Round; 3 games beginning at 2:30 p.m.) – Thurs., March 11 – ($30-$50)

Session 2 (Quarterfinals; 2 games beginning at Noon) – Fri., March 12 – ($40-$65)

Session 3 (Quarterfinals; 2 games beginning at 6:30 p.m.) – Fri., March 12 – ($40-$65)

Session 4 (Semifinals; 2 games beginning at 1:40 p.m.) – Sat., March 13 – ($45-$75)

Session 5 (Championship Game; beginning at 3:30 p.m.) – Sun., March 14 – ($45-$75)

Brewster announces staff promotion and departure

2010-02-06T22:27:41Z

Thomas Hammock has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator. Hammock is currently the running backs coach and one of the staff's best recruiters. Here are the recruits that Hammock has been credited as being the primary recruiter for...

2010 - Lamonte Edwards, Donnell Kirkwood, Tryone Bouie, Devron Wright and Johnathan Ragoo.
2009 - Brooks Michel, Bryant Allen and Dan Orseske
2008 - MarQueise Gray, Brandon Green, Brandon Kirksey, Deleon Eskridge and others

Richard Hightower was the wide receivers coach and will not be returning.

the official press release

University of Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster announced Friday that running backs coach Thomas Hammock has being promoted to the position of co-offensive coordinator.

Hammock, regarded as one of the Gophers’ top recruiters and a rising star in the coaching profession, has played an increasing roll in all aspects of the Minnesota offense since his arrival, according to Brewster.

“This promotion is a reward for the tireless work that Thomas has done as both a coach and a recruiter,” Brewster said. “He has done an outstanding job with our running backs and has been a huge asset to our staff. Thomas is one of the outstanding your coaches in America and I could not be more please to reward him with the title of co-offensive coordinator. He and Jeff (Horton) will do a great job coordinating our offense.”

Brewster also announced Friday that wide receivers coach Richard Hightower has decided to resign his position on the Gophers’ staff to pursue another coaching opportunity. According to Brewster, a national search for Hightower’s replacement is already underway and is expected to be completed soon.

“Richard is an excellent young coach,” said Brewster. “I appreciate all the contributions he made to our program and I wish him continued success.”

It's Official: Brewster Signs 2 year contract extension

2010-01-29T22:23:34Z

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Minnesota football coach Tim Brewster says he and the school have agreed to a two-year contract extension.

He says he’s “very pleased” with the deal, with national signing day five days away. Brewster was traveling Friday and unable yet to sign the contract.

The 49-year-old Brewster has been working on a five-year deal he signed when he was hired in 2007. It’s worth $1 million annually.

The extension puts Brewster under contract through the 2013 season.

The Gophers are 14-24 under Brewster. His third season in charge ended with a 6-7 finish, including an Insight Bowl loss to Iowa State, but director of athletics Joel Maturi has indicated a desire to remain patient with a first-time head coach.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-minnesota-brewster&prov=ap&type=lgns

NOOOOO!!!!!!!

Jeff Horton is new Offensive Coordinator

2010-01-22T23:41:42Z

http://www.minnesota.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=863&tid=138802339&mid=138802339&sid=935&style=2

Horton began his coaching career with the Gophers as a graduate assistant and eventually.

He went on to suck as a head coach with UNLV, including a winless season in 1998.

Then Horton went to Wisconsin as a QB coach, coaching Brooks Bollinger, Jim Sorgi and John Stocco.

He then moved to St. Louis and Detroit as assistant coaches.

Horton is now our offensive coordinator

Thoughts?

Another FB player in trouble with underage drinking

2010-01-13T04:40:51Z

I really would like to not rip Brewster as much as I do, but he and his staff are not doing their job if the kids on the team think they can get away with this kind of behavior. Where is their fear of punishment? Where is their guidance coming from. If the coaching staff cannot instill some responsibility in these players, how are they going to get them to play hard againt good competition? One player does this, he's probably a bad apple; three players and you have the start of a trend. Brewster needs to be held accountable for the trend that is developing. http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/81278902.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

ESPN Lunardi has Gophers 6th...

2010-01-05T04:54:39Z

in his "Bracketology" for the NCAA Tournament and playing in the East Bracket. He has us playing William and Mary in the first game.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

Apparently we're getting some love! We need to win tomorrow against Purdue to keep up up in that rating. I see where Samson is still out of the Purdue game and I think he will probably be out for one or two more. To bad, we got a tough bunch of games coming up in January. We got to hope that smaller lineup will run opponents to death or else Iverson will have to have some monster games which from his past performances doesn't seem too likely.

Any word on Royce White & Trevor Mbwake?

2010-01-03T14:20:53Z

Is Royce White still under investigation for the campus theft incident? When is Trevor's trial? It is a shame not to have these two talented beefy players in the line up. Imagine what the Gophers line up it will be like to opposing teams. I hope their legal matter is resolved soon.

In RW's case, I hope he stays the straight and narrow course and learn from Tubby.This young man needs to grow up fast. I hope the U has a strong support network around him. He'd be throwing away the potential to earn millions if he proves he is good enough to go to the next level.

Is Tubby going to redshirt them once they are cleared of their legal matters?

Trouble in the Izzone? Lucas suspended?

2009-12-30T21:03:57Z

Check this out.

Best of the Big 10 Awards/Big 10 Tour Complete!

2009-12-23T23:09:17Z

Greetings Everyone,

Back in July, I decided to see what Big 10 football was all about... I put together a plan to visit every Big 10 school over 11 weekends as an unbiased spectator. I went from a naive/casual college football fan to becoming more addicted to this sport than ever before!

This was my most challenging life venture to date as doing it over 11 straight weekends while holding down a 60-hour-per-week job and trying to manage 3-4 other guys who joined me on this tour (none of which made it the whole way through). It may sound nuts, but completing 11 weekends of college football was more trying than 30 NBA arenas or 30 MLB stadiums.

So all that being said, I've awarded my "Best of the Big 10 Awards." Clearly, I have no credibility on any of these subjects and I was likely influenced by the quality of the game, the weather, and the people around me. For what it's worth, here is what I thought was the best (http://www.thebig10tour.com/bests.html) in a variety of categories.

I am grateful to all of the Gopher fans that I met in Minneapolis, namely from the Goal Line Club. I've definitely made some lasting friendships with many Minnesota fans that you'll see throughout the blog (www.THEbig10tour.com) and I'll never forget how the Gophers had Cal reeling in the 4th quarter of that week 3 game. Despite the loss, I was able to see them get the "W" the following week at Northwestern where I met up with many of the fans I had met in Minneapolis (http://www.thebig10tour.com/minnesota.html).

Drew
11 stadiums/11 weekends
www.THEbig10tour.com