I hope everyone had a great Christmas and we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming today. I'll start off with a few late morning Nugz and in a couple hours I'll post my Big Ten Preview and then we get the tip off the Big Ten season with a trip to Madison tonight.
First a hockey nugget.
Gopher freshman, Nick Bjugstad is on the USA World Juniors roster and has been having a successful campaign. In the US's first game against Finland Bjugstad scored the game winning goal in overtime.
"This is the biggest goal I have scored so far in my career," Bjugstad told IIHF.com after the game. "Definitely a big goal, for me and the team."
Congrats to the young man who has 2 goals and 2 assists for the Gophers this year. Game 2 is tonight against Slovakia.
- Marcus has a feature today on the Gopher's interior strength as we head into the Big Ten season. With Mbakwe, Sampson and Iverson, Tubby has arguably the league's best set of big men. Hopefully we used that to our advantage in the long and physical Big Ten season.
- Sticking with the Pioneer Press, Charlie Walters tell us to "count on it." If Tubby doesn't sign a contract extension soon he'll end up in the NBA coaching Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats. Seems like a safe prediction considering he'll sign an extension.
- Marcus tells us that Tubby is thinking about tinkering with the lineup.
- Myron has video of Tubby Smith talking about Wisconsin.
- St. Louis Today.com predicts a 4th place finish for the Gophers.
- This is probably a few days old but Gopher football picked up a JUCO wide receiver. Ge'Shun Harris has verbally committed. Harris had offers from the likes of North Texas, San Diego State, Memphis, Ohio and several other smaller schools. He is listed at 6-3, 220 lbs and will be arriving in Minnesota in January to begin school.
- And we signed a teammate of Harris, cornerback Drayquan Crawford is also set to be a Golden Gopher. The Miami native and Arizona Western player is the 19th member of the 2011 recruiting class.
- Final recruiting note and Nugg for the day. Two Minnesota kids made the 2nd team All-American according to Rivals.com. Peter Westerhaus as a tight end and Tommy Olson along the OL both earned this honor and will be Golden Gophers next year.