I disagree with those who question Washington's shots, decisions, etc. If he simply plays like a fill-in, we lose. The only way were were going to win this game is if he provided a big spark. He tried, but he simply didn't make his shots. He didn't take us out of any flow.

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Duke decommit Taiyon Palmer subsequently tweeted out that his offer has been re-confirmed.

who will we miss more next year. Both have improved so much since they started here that it has to be a reflection on Pitino’s program that he has established. Mason would be my choice as the depth behind him is limited but Lynch’s shot blocking and physicality will be missed next year. He’s also improved so much offensively that he’s a true scoring threat now.

Link: Nebraska preview

Anyone know which gaming system is better? I have a PS2 and Wii for kids. Now may be time to get new system for Christmas. So any info would be appreciated. I have read that more data storage (1TB vs 500 GB) isn't as up to date as newer system, etc.

Also what add-ons are crucial. Thanks

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Gophers offer 2019 Chicago DE Steven Hawthorne. He has offers from Minnesota, Northern Illinois, and Toledo.

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@Connor Stevens @Matt Jessen-Howard

SKI-U-MAH WEEKLY: EPISODE 13

Dec. 4, 2017

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Gopher Wrestling coaches Brandon Eggum & Dustin Schlatter stop by Ski-U-Mah Weekly to talk about the season so far! Peyton Owens of Gopher student-athlete development also speaks with Justin Gaard about the forthcoming Athletes Village and more. Presented by the Minnesota Lottery.

Reggie Lynch had impactful minutes on the floor, last night.. Block shots, rebounds, a bit of offense, screens.. He kinda did a little bit of everything. That is the kind of effort that I love to see in all the games but especially in Big Ten play.. I love our starting 5 guys right now and I still think we can improve quite a bit.

Right now, Isaiah Washington is our bench on offense... I kinda hope that as we get some of the out of conference opponents in December that Richard Pitino runs some plays for Devonte Fitzgerald, Michael Hurt, and Jamir Harris... I think it would help them to mentally be in the game at an even better level.. Have to be within the structure of the offense.. Fitzgerald seems to me to be a guy that needs a little injection of confidence on the floor.. His play will be critical during conference games.. Yes, defense and rebounding is needed most but his confidence will increase and body language get better with a few buckets, IMO. Not saying we need to ever have a stretch of the game to make any of these reserve players the focal point of the offense but give them a little taste of being the top option on a set, every once in awhile... I think Harris will eventually be one of those guys that could be streaky and hit 3-4 3-pointers in a row, in future games.

Older guys like Lynch and Nate Mason are critical to getting those bench players up to speed. Lots of teaching moments from experienced players and coaches.I haven't been this excited for Gopher basketball since the days of Clem so I am hoping we can get all cylinders firing. Lynch is a big part of that as he is one of the best rim protectors I have seen in a Gopher jersey. Guys should feel confident in their perimeter defense as they have that rim protector back there just in case... Plus on offense, those reserve players can know that if Reggie and Jordan are in the game, we have solid rebounders in case of a miss.

I just think if we can see 8-10 guys confident on the floor at any given time, we can make a nice run at the conference championship and beyond. I think our guys recognize that and now we just need to have a few reserves gain that same confidence in whatever they can do to help the team win.

The Big 10 has enjoyed a national resurgence the past 4 years largely on the strength of the top east division teams: Ohio State, Penn State, and the Michigan
Schools.

But suddenly the west division features arguably the most intriguing collection of up and coming HCs in the country:

PJ Fleck went from 1-11 to 13-1 and won WMU’s first conference title in 30 years. Broke MAC recruiting records and led league in recruiting each year. We are lucky he’s committed to turning programs around and living in Urban Midwestern locales.

Scott Frost: huge success at Oregon and UCF. Is an offensive guru and has good connections in Florida and the west coast. Will recruit well.

Jeff Brohm: offensive innovator who
Over achieved in year 1. Purdue will be a tough out going forward.

Pat Fitzgerald: went 9-3 this year and has won 9+ games 3 of the past 6 years.

Paul Chryst: just led Wisconsin to first undefeated season in school history.

Plus, Captain Kirk is always a tough out and is good for one great season every 5 years.

I* predict the west division will improve enough to make the Big 10 the consensus top CFB conference within 3 years.

I fully believe Bama is the 4th best team regardless of their resume. I know this because Ohio State lost to Captain Kirk in epically bad fashion.

Having said that, now that 2 major conferences have been left out of the playoffs for the 1st time, it’s time to re-evaluate and expand.

8 teams is too many and devalues the regular season. 6 teams is just right, and allows for the top 2 teams to get well deserved byes for playing great schedules and being the best regular season teams.

So, what I would propose is ALL 5 Conference champions make the playoff (regardless of record). I would then invite either the best At-large team, unless a Group of 5 team is Undefeated and ranked in the Top 10.

So, this year it would be:

Byes: Clemson & Oklahoma

Quarterfinals:
#8 USC vs. #3 Georgia
#5 Ohio State vs. #4 Alabama

Semifinals:
USC/UGA vs. Oklahoma
tOSU/Bama vs. Clemson

This set-up allows for the conference championships to matter, yet also rewards a top team like Bama. Only issue is how they rank UCF. There could be some serious screaming of collusion. However, it was clear to me watching UCF play that they are not a Top 10 team and also don’t have a strong enough resume.

This checks all the boxes for me for being fair and providing the best possible teams with conference champions.

Thoughts?

At least I'm guessing that "Coach D" is Dantonio.

Coach Harbaugh:

Saw Coach D comments on continuing to "focus" on how "he" can beat Michigan. Congrats on turning around a 3-9 team, plagued with off field issues. Good for BIG to have him back.

Stewart Mandel‏:

And congrats to you, sir, on beating 0 teams with a winning record.

What position does he figure to play??

Omersa doing his best Murph impression...

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Gabe with 31pts in his opener...

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Pregame reads:

• Rutgers preview
• Film Review: Rutgers
• Behind Enemy Lines: Rutgers
• Richard Pitino presser notes

Richard Pitino said yesterday that this will be the best Rutgers team he's played while at Minnesota, and I'd agree that this team is better than last year's. The Scarlet Knights are gritty and tough -- the identity that Steve Pikiell likes in his teams -- and are No. 4 in the country in rebounding, No. 43 in defense according to Kenpom, and No. 302 in pace. The downside to this Rutgers team is their offense: they're No. 214 according to Kenpom and have struggled with floor spacing and getting buckets in general.

Corey Sanders is probably the Scarlet Knight that Gopher fans know best. He's a junior, former four-star combo guard that's likely their most talented player, but he's been inefficient this year. Sanders is better attacking the basket than he is jump shooting. With Sanders in the backcourt is true freshman combo guard, Geo Baker, a shooter who's actually leading the team in scoring. He's skilled and has been productive (although less productive against good competition) although quite honestly I would still take Washington over Baker. Amir Coffey for once will actually match up with someone his size: Rutgers' small forward, Issa Thiam, is a 6'8" 3 and D player. Power forward DeShawn Freeman is a bull of an undersized power forward that boards really well, plays hard, and doesn't foul. Four-star true freshman Mamadou Doucoure starts at center. He's not much of a scoring threat and that shots he does take comes at the basket. He rebounds well but isn't much of a shot blocker and is more foul prone than Reggie Lynch.

Rutgers runs a lot of four-out ball screen motion on offense. Defensively, they play mostly man but will mix in halfcourt traps and 2-2-1 and 2-3 zones.

Good for Jordan... bad for us. I personally see him as a 2nd round guy so not sure there is much difference with being undrafted and getting drafted in 2nd round.... 2nd round contracts aren't guaranteed. I think Murphy should test the process at the end of the year if his play keeps up as it is.... dude is a junkyard dog out there

https://247sports.com/college/duke/...g-stock-at-early-juncture-of-season-111461540

Currently, Minnesota and Wisconsin have nearly identically rated recruiting classes despite our 5-7 record and their undefeated record.

Fleck can catch Wisconsin if these trends continue.

BUT

If Wisconsin makes the playoff, who knows how much their recruiting might take off?

Go Buckeyes! Beat Bucky.

Better Dead than Red

Latest rumor....

That is what we have to have if we are ever going to beat wisconsin.

The speed difference between OSU and wisconsin last night was night and day.

If Barrett had any accuracy at all, OSU wins 35-10.

Barrett's INTs led to 2 badger TDs. Barrett's bad throws cost the Buckeyes 3 TDs.

The OSU WR's and RB's were simply faster than anything wisconsin put out there. The OSU DEs , LBs, and Secondary we're also faster and prevented all but 1 big play.

We need more play makers. We will find the OL. We simply need more athletic people at all other spots on the field.

After watching that game, and knowing Fleck's recruiting game plan, I think we have a shot if we simply add more athletes.

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http://www.oregonlive.com/recruitin...ucks_4-star_pledge_i_n.html#incart_river_home

Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Alabama. No OSU.

@nifloral's post in the Tim Brewster thread got me thinking about what the all-time U of MN coaching staff would look like. This is what I came up with. Thoughts? Changes?

HC - Bierman
AHC - Warmath/H. Williams
OC - Mason
DC - Claeys
DB - Sawvel
LB - B. Miller
DL - Nash
QB - Shanahan
OL - Browning
WR - Sumlin
RB - Adamle
TE/Recruiting Coordinator - Brewster (Maybe just as a recruiter and the TE coach under Mason?)

Rivals250 5.8 rated four-star defensive back Mario Goodrich just decommited from Nebraska.

I know the Minnesota staff was pretty interested in him at one time, and have almost all of their coaches following him on Twitter. No inside info, but I'm planning on reaching out and seeing if Minnesota is interested or has a shot here. His profile lists him as high interest on Michigan, but I'm not too sure why yet as I haven't seen this being discussed at all on Michigan's side yet.

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