Anyone hear of the new Fleck and Pitino extensions?
I was too far away from radio to hear specifics unless it was fake news.

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Gopher Football walk-on punter Justin Juenemann is the nicest guy on the team. He has always had values that centered on serving and giving, the same values that coach P.J. Fleck has built the Minnesota Gopher Football program on. In August 2017, Juenemann earned a scholarship for his character both on and off the field.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...-football-alex-malzone-miami-ohio/1055865001/

Gophs see Miami Sept 15 at TCF.

Miami hired a former Nebraska coach this week. Had been with Miami head guy Martin at ND...went to Nebraska with Diaco.

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/...cle_9b248f90-ff8c-11e7-ad36-03effb7f93aa.html

QBs Jeff George and Chance Crouch both leaving.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-illinois-jeff-george-jr-20180117-story.html

http://footballscoop.com/The-Scoop/

MSU defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett heading to FSU.

FSU also getting Michigan TE/OT coach Greg Frey.

WI promoted former QB Budmayr, who was on staff as QC, to 10th coach (QBs).

RU still trying to replace Kill.

ND def coord Elko to Texas A and M; Aranda turned down the big bucks.

Northwestern: Packers defensive quality control Tim McGarigle to NW. McGarigle served as a grad assistant at Northwestern back in 2011 and has since coached linebackers at Western Michigan and Illinois before spending this season in Green Bay. Fleck retained him from previous staff...was with Fleck until 2016.

We had 4 regular starters in the game today and literally could not score. It's hopeless to score. Limited shooting, no ability to get by people, etc.

Lynch doesn't really score so it still would have been ugly.

This is a mess and I'm ready to start over.

By the way, I'd rather see Isaiah Washington run around with his head cut off out there, than watch this schit offense.

Someone said Musselman the other day. He does intrigue me.

Iowa bringing in some guys this weekend; may pass MN:

https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com...f-2018-update-official-visit-rankings-updates

For those concerned about recruiting rankings, the late additions to the class of 2018 should be met with open arms. While Nico Ragaini was unrated when he committed to the Hawkeyes, he has now been fully evaluated and has a 3-star tag according to Rivals.

That moves Iowa up to the 33rd spot nationally and 8th in the Big Ten. For some perspective, the Hawkeyes now sit four spots ahead of Wisconsin and 22 ahead of Iowa State. The Big Ten overall has a very good group of athletes coming in. Ohio State and Penn State both have classes ranked inside the top 5. Michigan, meanwhile, is sitting at #14. Maryland is inside the top 20 and both Michigan State and Nebraska are close behind, both inside the top 25.

If the Hawkeyes were to add another 3-star to the class of 2018, they would jump 3 spots nationally to #30. They would also leapfrog Minnesota, who is ranked higher based on volume, but has a lower average recruit ranking. That would put Iowa 7th in the conference behind the aforementioned OSU, PSU, Michigan, MSU, Maryland and Nebraska.

Rivals is also slated to make their final updates and evaluations for class of 2018 prospects this week. Any changes there would have an impact on overall team rankings. We’ll keep you apprised of such changes.

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@Matt Jessen-Howard @Connor Stevens

SIAP
Many people have made post in many threads, about wether we should or should not redshirt our incoming Freshman.
Especially Faalele,Dunlap,Bateman. I am a firm believer. That you should always play your best players. Period.
Having said that. I have another view as well.

Is it practical. at this point to redshirt them. If they are the best ones at their positions this upcoming year?
Fleck is trying to create a culture here. A winning culture. A culture of an environment of great football history,and tradition.
I'm going to talk only about the football side of life here.
Some kids are looking for where they can play right away as freshman. Others. don't care if they sit or not.
However, let's be honest. At this point the U of M does not have the luxury of sitting freshman for a year.
Coach fleck has to put the best product out on the field. In order to influence(show)the next recruiting classes that things are going in a positive direction. Lets make no mistake about it. Fleck good a little help(FROM THE FORCE)in landing Faalele, andDunlap, because of Zach Annexstad.
The U is not at a point like power house schools. Who have so many top quality football players at each position, that they have that luxury.
At this point Fleck has to utilize the gift that god dropped in his lap and play them. Get to bowl games. Produce right away and give future recruits the impression that the future here in Minnesota is extremely bright. Thus, making The U more attractive and inviting for them.
Later, when we can compete. On an annual basis for top talent at each position. We will have the ability, like other top programs. To redshirt players, because. We will have multiple top echelon players at each position,and they will not be as vital to the continuation of success as the need is right now to produce and forge ahead.
In an Ideal world. Everyone would love to Redshirt them. But, is it practical?

Look, I understand the frustration with the Gophers basketball as I feel it as well...I still think there is GOOD REASON that Richard Pitino was Big Ten coach of the year, last year.. He has made mistakes in recruiting and in strategy but I do think he is in an awfully difficult spot that is NOT ALL OF HIS MAKING.. I do think that he probably need to be more strategic in his recruiting and get better, longer athletes, if possible... We are working so hard for shots and it brings me back to the Tubby days where we don't have offensive movement to create open passes and conversions.

I know people have commented on Tony Bennett at Virginia as having an offense kin to watching paint dry... Well, I would take Tony Bennett in a heartbeat, regardless of years... His teams play good defense and they WIN...WIN IS THE KEY... I happen to like good passing and team ball.. Bennett runs a motion offense and that gets guys open, regardless of defense because you are constantly moving the defense around to create easier offense. I said the same about Bo Ryan AS A BASKETBALL COACH... It is ironic that his HS days were spent on a team that was 'run and gun'(true story). But the common theme is WINNING... I like WINNING regardless of style of play. Discipline on both ends of the floor is fun to watch as well, IMO. These teams aren't exactly playing 4-corners offense and there is a shot clock so the action is more than tolerable with coaches playing their styles. Bennett and Ryan both have turned out NBA players so they cant be too slow with all their talent.. Of course Ryan is gone but yes I was a fan of their style of play as much as I was a Shaka Smart or Paul Westhead, in the day.

I don't think Pitino will get fired after this season but I do think that it is fair to expect him to develop players and more importantly DEVELOP A GOOD TEAM... That last part is the criteria I am looking for.. A team that does not quit when behind.. A team that comes out of timeouts better than when they went in to the TO. Adjustments at half.... When those things exist, we need to encourage players and coaches... Pitino won a NIT and had a great record last year... Don't think all of it was just serendipity. Pitino HAS MADE MISTAKES, no doubt.. But he is still a coach that has enough of a track record of success to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

I still think that some of the most important coaching here has to be about the OFF COURT stuff.. Sexual harassment is a big deal and we have people watching real closely on this campus at our athletes, all the time... That should be engrained into Oturu, Omersa, and Kalscheur before they get to campus next year... No illegal activity or questionable things that could blow up into huge issues. They are kids but they do have responsibility as representatives of the school, whether that is fair or unfair.. We should encourage and congratulate the ones doing the right thing so the ones considering doing wrong can see where we as fans prioritize our adulation... This is a work in progress and everyone that is frustrated is a true Gopher fan, without a doubt.. But the question is WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN ON A CONSISTENT BASIS?? That is what to shoot for every year, no matter the style or whatever. Minnesota SHOULD ALWAYS be towards the top of the Big Ten and anything less than that should be a disappointment.. But I would love to see an uplifting of those doing right, on and off the court, so influence those coming in to show the culture of what a winning team is all about.

The offer was posted in an offer thread but I wanted to drop a note on him. McCullar is 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, and is ranked No. 60 in the 2019 class by Rivals. He has offers from Texas Tech, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Texas A&M, and Baylor.

He is listed as a shooting guard, but from watching his tape, he appears to have some point guard capabilities. The ball is in his hands a lot as he brings the ball up the court. He definitely has some length for his size, has good athleticism, and can knock down the outside shot.

I will be talking to him Saturday, and should have a story up shorty afterwards.

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SUPER BOWL SERIES: MATT SPAETH



Jan. 26, 2018

Buy Tickets for 2018!

Minneapolis will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 when the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles for the right to be called world champion. The Patriots will be seeking their sixth world championship, while the Eagles are looking for their first. In preparation of the big game, we will take a look back in the coming days at some former Gophers who went on to Super Bowl fame.

Matt Spaeth was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers in 2007 after a stellar career with the Gophers. He won the John Mackey Award in 2006 and left as the school’s all-time leader in career receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,293) by a tight end. He went to two Super Bowls in four years with the Steelers and caught a six yard pass in their victory over the Cardinals in 2008. While other Gophers have played in a Super Bowl since, Spaeth is the last one to win one. He recently retired and still resides in the Pittsburg area. We caught up with him below:

Gopher Sports: What was it like playing in a Super Bowl? Can you walk us through that whole experience and what you took away from it?

Matt Spaeth: Now that I’m done and not playing I have realized the magnitude of how special that was. At time maybe I was just young or naïve. I was lucky I won a Super Bowl in my second year playing and I went to a Super Bowl in my fourth year so in my first four years I played in two Super Bowls. In hindsight you realize just how special that is but at the time I don’t want to say it was like, ‘wow this is easy,’ but I have a newfound respect for what it means. Especially after playing for a long time after that without getting back or even really that close. You realize just how hard it is. So now I think I have a better understanding and perspective on how awesome it is, but at the time I don’t know if I really did.

GS: Is there anything that does stick out that was really special in those two weeks of anticipation leading up to the Super Bowl?

MS: I still remember winning the AFC Championship and being down on Hines Field celebrating and knowing that we were going to the Super Bowl. Things that really stick out in my mind are the locker room celebration, Super Bowl party that night and from there the parade a few days later and the ring ceremony. Those are the big highlights I remember.

GS: Was there a lot of community back in your hometown of St. Michael, Minn. or the University of Minnesota that reached out to you?

MS: I think I have always been fortunate to have a great supporting system around me. From family, friends and just people in the town I grew up in. Being a kid from a small town in Minnesota and to go to a Super Bowl is a very big deal. What’s cool to me is a lot of people lived that through me and I’m happy I was able to share that. I hear stories. My mom and dad are from a small town in Minnesota and there are people up there that claim me and are proud of me because I am from there. I don’t know them and they don’t know me but they still claim me as one of their own and I love that.

GS: What’s it mean to you being the last Gopher to win a Super Bowl?

MS: Honestly I wish that wasn’t the case. I really do. I hope that moving forward we start to put more guys into the NFL. There are a lot of guys that are playing and are have had great careers and are continuing to have great careers. It would be nice if we had more. I would love not to be the last one.

GS: Lastly, what are you up to nowadays?

MS: I am about to welcome my second child here in April. I am about to have my second daughter. I am also in the process of being a real estate agent.

Ty Barron:


Strengths:

· Physicality. Takes on blocks extremely well. Also, doesn’t get caught up with blockers, just runs right by them or uses an arm to hold them at distance.
· Plays fast. Speed to chase down outside runs and run sideline-to-sideline.
· Athletic. Played a lot of running back as well.

Weaknesses:

· Doesn’t read and diagnose extremely well at this stage. His runs fits will need some work too
· Awareness in pass coverage. Needs to keep his head on a swivel looking for incoming threats

I really like the physical traits that Ty offers. He’s extremely physical as a linebacker with good speed to chase down players. It wouldn’t surprise me if in a couple years he is moved to FB/H-back role. Ty possesses the athleticism to play on the offensive side of the ball if we are deep at LB. Barron is only 6’0”, so he is a bit undersized, but plenty of linebackers have been shorter and had a lot of success. Most of the plays he makes at linebacker are because he’s a great athlete who reacts quickly, but I think he’ll have some to learn about run fits and the linebacker position once he reaches college. Overall, I believe he’ll see the field at some point, at some position.

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Ryan Keating:


Strengths:

· Quick feet. Moves quite well. Can pull and gets to the second level in a hurry
· Finishes blocks. Doesn’t stop blocking until he pancakes defender
· Controls the line of scrimmage at point of attack. Good job of continually moving feet.
· Very good at using his hands to keep defenders away from him in pass rush situations, and keep defenders locked in run block situations.
· Offensive lineman bully attitude

Weaknesses:

· Not a ton of pop when he engages defenders like you see with Dunlap for example
· Moved from tackle his junior year to guard without a ton of pass blocking highlights. Probably something left to be desired there
· Plays high. Needs to lower his leverage

From a PWO standpoint, Keating is a great get. Initially I thought he could be a tackle, but I would predict him being a guard to play to his run blocking strengths. He has the bully attitude and effort that you want to see from an offensive lineman. Good feet, athletic enough to pull and get into defenders bodies. Leverage will need to be addressed as well as his pass blocking technique. At a minimum, he’ll provide offensive line depth. At best, he could see the field down the road.

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Link: Jarrian Jones developing relationship with Fleck

Do you guys think he'll play as a freshman? I think he'll at least be number two on the two deep, providing OJ Smith can play. I've got Silver backing up Gary Moore.

GOPHER ALL-AMERICAN PERKINS RETIRES FROM MLB



Jan. 24, 2018

Former Gopher Baseball All-American pitcher and Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins announced his retirement from baseball Wednesday morning in a tweet.

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The three-time All-Star spent each of his 12 Big League seasons with the hometown Twins, collecting 120 career saves including three-straight seasons with 32 or more each season from 2013 until 2015. Despite battling injury the last two seasons, he wrapped his career with a 3.88 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He won 35 games and finished 228 out of the bullpen for Minnesota.

As a Gopher, he finished with the fourth-most strikeouts in program history (230) in just two seasons while going 19-5 in 2003 and 2004. He exited the program being drafted in the first round of the 2004 draft (22nd overall) by the Twins, but not before claiming back-to-back S Team All-Big Ten honors and Second Team All-America honors by Collegiate Baseball. In 2004, he was the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and the year prior earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year nod and landed on the Freshman All-America Team by both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America.

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There are a bunch more tweets listed in the article: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012418aac.html

Stay up to date with all Gopher Baseball news by following the Gophers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagramvia the links provided, or get all Minnesota Golden Gopher athletics news and highlights, including exclusive behind-the-scenes content and special ticket offers and promotions delivered straight to your inbox by signing up today!

Advertising on Rutgers basketball court is Advil...



Hopefully Midol doesn’t work it’s way onto the Barn floor!

FAHNHORST BROTHERS WON FIVE SUPER BOWLS WITH 49ERS



Jan. 24, 2018

Minneapolis will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 when the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles for the right to be called world champion. The Patriots will be seeking their sixth world championship, while the Eagles are looking for their first. In preparation of the big game, we will take a look back in the coming days at some former Gophers who went on to Super Bowl fame.

Before the Patriots became the class of the NFL, there was the San Francisco 49ers, who won five Super Bowls from 1982-1995. Four of those wins - 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990 - featured a former Minnesota Gopher with the last name Fahnhorst. Brothers Keith and Jim Fahnhorst starred at Minnesota before becoming world champions in San Francisco.

Jim is Minnesota's most decorated Super Bowl champion as he won a ring in 1985, 1989 and 1990 with the 49ers. Keith was a member of San Francisco's championship teams in 1982 and 1985 and along with Jim is one of only five former Gophers to win multiple Super Bowls. The others being Gabe Gillingham, Tony Dungy (won as a player and coach) and Tyrone Carter.

Keith lettered at Minnesota from 1971-73 and was a tight end in Minnesota's veer-t offense. He ended his career with 28 receptions for 392 yards and one touchdown, but made his mark paving the road for Minnesota's running game. The 1973 media guide described Keith thusly, "This giant is a savage blocker, as can be testified to by Gopher running backs who broke numerous school rushing records in 1972." Keith would be named First Team All-Big Ten as an end in 1973.

Keith was drafted by San Francisco in 1974 with the 35th overall pick in the second round. He would play his entire 14-year career in the Bay Area and helped the team to its first Super Bowl title in 1981. Keith started 160 of the 193 games he played in with the 49ers and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1983 and 1985, Second-Team All-Pro in 195 and made the Pro Bowl in 1984. He retired in 1987.

Jim, who is seven years younger than Keith, followed in his brother's football footsteps. Both played high school ball at St. Cloud Technical (same high school where incoming freshman Brevyn Spann-Ford attends) before heading to Minnesota.

Jim lettered at the U in 1978, 1980-81 (missed the 1979 season with an injury) and was named First Team All-Big Ten at linebacker in 1981 after recording 126 tackles, six pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.

Jim was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1982 draft, but opted to play in the USFL instead in 1983 (Chicago Blitz) and 1984 (Arizona Wranglers).

Jim then signed with San Francisco as a free agent in 1984 and played there until 1990. He started 38 of the 82 games en route to winning three Super Bowls.

You can read more about the Fanhorst brothers in this 49ers.com story from July 2017.

Jordan Murphy, Minnesota

Login to view embedded media Recruitment: Murphy initially selected VCU over UNLV during the fall of his senior year. When Shaka Smart left VCU for Texas, Murphy opened things up and chose Minnesota over Boston College in May of his senior year.

His junior jump: Make no mistake, Murphy has been productive from the moment he arrived in Minneapolis. But he's taken things to a new level as a junior, averaging just under 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. He registered double-doubles in the first 17 games of the season and has a total of 19 of them in the Gophers' first 22 games.

Full article: https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/bossi-s-best-the-junior-season-jump

Link: Faalele joins Rivals250