Cooper will play, Taylor not likely

Will post updates, etc. here

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@Dylan Callaghan-Croley with some nuggets on the Boilermakers

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Suppose to take an official visit with Minnesota later this month

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Summarizing what Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said after Saturday's loss to Illinois and looking ahead to their road contest against Purdue.

- Didn't do our part on the field
- This team could be 3-6 or 7-2
- Northwestern and Illinois games have a lot of similarities with one play communication breakdown
- It's simple, I got to do a better job of coaching it and that's on me

- Thought AK played one of his best games
- Says he's "that close" would like to have one or two throws back
- Keeps seeing growth
- He's playing with a lot of confidence

On final play against Illinois

- Should have been able to get more depth at the free safety position
- Also should have had more help from the other safety in that situation
- Maybe a little deeper at the linebacker position to start

- Thinks Spann-Ford is coming on really strong despite not having the season he's wanted so far

- Thought the offensive line struggled at times, but also played pretty good up front
- Gives Illinois credit for being disruptive
- Thought they could have been better at the running back position

On lack of QB production in the second half of the last two games:

- Doesn't think it's necessarily one thing
- Mentions dropped passes then that throws them off schedule
- Dropped TD changed the course of the game on their end
- Just not able to finish games in the second half right now
- Team is going to learn from that

Good news for Minnesota tonight as it looks like Pharrell Payne will be ready to go. Cam Christie is questionable to play. Gophers take on Bethune Cookman at 8:00 p.m. with the game available on BTN+.

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How would you all feel if Richard Pitino made it to the Final Four this season?

WHEN: Monday at 7:00pm CT

WHERE: Williams Arena (15,261) -- Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV/STREAM: B1G+

Radio: KTLK (1130 AM/103.5 FM)

SPREAD: Minnesota -17.5 / 138.5 total

With a 3 point lead at halftime. He actually thought we had the game under control. That’s how that dude thinks. We didn’t try to be aggressive in the 2nd half on offense at all. This is on Fleck and his staff’s mentality.

Gophers hit the hardwood in exhibition play vs. Macelester

Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson told the media on Wednesday that in their recent scrimmage against Colorado State they worked on four minute stretches and had a different rotation of guys every four minutes. Wanted to get minutes for Parker Fox, Isaiah Ihnen, and Kayden Betts.

Says he's seen a lot from Fox and Ihnen considering the amount of rehab they've had to do in the last two years. It will be the first time Fox has played at Williams Arena. They helped motivate each other throughout the process.

When they have an opportunity at a fast break, he is not going to put on the brakes. Wants to run the floor more. Wants their bigs to run the floor as well.

Johnson kind of dismissed the possibility of playing St. Thomas when suggested, said it doesn't make much sense for their program right now. (Translation: Losing to St. Thomas is a real possibility)

Says Kadyn Betts wasn't ready last year and there was no thought of not red-shirting him

Mentioned Carrington, Ola-Joseph, Garcia, and Fox as guys that live in the gym.

Wants his team to be aggressive in taking the ball to the rim and playing inside-out. Doesn't want a guy like Ola-Joseph to just settle for jump shots because he is so athletic. Says Garcia can pick and pop, but needs to also drive and put pressure on the rim. Wants to be versatile and not just settle for jumpers.

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- Weren't able to finish the game on offense and defense, that's on me
- Thought they played really good football for a long time, then did catastrophic things late
- They beat themselves

- 0-1 in the Illinois season, have to respond
- Loved how hard the team played
- Mentions breakdowns of technique and discipline
- Illinois took the ground game away, Illini had a strong defensive front, has a projected Top 5 draft pick
- Didn't think they got enough depth on coverage on Illinois' game-winning TD
- Not a dark day, a lot of great things that happened on the football field today - mentioned growth