Friday, December 31, 2010

Minnesota Gophers Hosting Holiday Classic

Union DutchmenThe Minnesota Gophers are ready to host the annual Holiday Classic Tournament at Mariucci Arena on Friday (December 31st) and Saturday (January 1st) after a two week break. On Friday night, the Minnesota Gophers will square off against the Union Dutchmen. On Saturday night, the Minnesota Gophers will play the Ferris State Bulldogs. The Union Dutchmen are ranked #13 in the country and will provide a tough test for the Minnesota Gophers. The Gophers will be without 2 of their top players, with Nick Bjugstad playing for Team USA and Erik Haula representing Team Finland in the World Juniors Tournament. The 4th team in the tournament is the Bemidji State Beavers. Purchase your Minnesota Gophers hockey tickets with Ticket King!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wisconsin Badgers Take Down Minnesota Gophers

Jordan TaylorThe #13 ranked Minnesota Gophers were defeated by rival #24 ranked Wisconsin Badgers. It was the first Big Ten game for both teams. It was a letdown for Minnesota fans, who were hoping the recent up and down play against noncoference teams would make the team more prepared for the tough test against Bucky. However, they couldn't keep the lead with 7 minutes to play and Wisconsin didn't look back. Minnesota natives Jordan Taylor and Jon Leuer led the Badgers with 22 and 16 points apiece.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Minnesota Gophers 85, South Dakota State 73

Colton Iverson DunkWell, it wasn't perfect. And if you've been paying attention, most of the Minnesota Gophers nonconference victories have been far from perfect. However, a win is a win and the Minnesota Gophers have finished the nonconference schedule with a 11-1 record. The Minnesota Gophers survived a tough South Dakota State team with an 85-73 victory. Devoe Joseph and Colton Iverson scored 15 points each. Al Nolen returned to the team after missing the last 5 games. The game was tied 63-63 but the Gophers went on a 23-10 run to close out the game.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Minnesota Gophers vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

South Dakota State JackrabbitsThe Minnesota Gopher basketball team will take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Thursday, December 23 at Williams Arena. It is the last nonconference game before the Minnesota Gophers take on the Wisconsin Badgers on December 28 in Madison. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are 7-3 currently and will be looking to pull an upset. The Minnesota Gophers are still ranked #20 in the country and will be looking to move to 11-1. Buy your Minnesota Gophers basketball tickets at Ticket King!

TCF Bank Stadium Goes Purple!

TCF Bank StadiumOn Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are battling out in the frozen tundra and elements of the Midwest. No, the game is not as Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The game is played at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This one is a historic game for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans. It's their first outdoor home game since December 20th, 1981. Throw on Joe Webb's first career start, the throwback jerseys, the snow, and the honoring of the Top 50 Minnesota Vikings of all-time, this is the most excited I have been for an NFL Game in a long time (for a team that is not qualified for the playoffs, at least).

Minnesota Gophers Get 3 Points From Duluth Bulldogs

Kent PattersonThe Minnesota Gophers took 3 points from the #2 team in the country, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. On Friday night, the Minnesota Gophers defeated the Duluth Bulldogs 3-2. Kent Patterson made 37 saves, while Nick Larson, Jay Barribal, and Nico Sacchetti scored for the Gophers. It was an exciting game and it was one that the Minnesota Gophers earned. On Saturday night, the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie at Mariucci Arena. Jake Hansen and Jake Cepis scored for the Minnesota Gophers and again Kent Patterson had a strong outing. It was a good series for the Minnesota Gophers.

Minnesota Gophers 71, Eastern Kentucky Colonels 58

Ralph SampsonOn December 11th, the Minnesota Gophers defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 71-58. Ralph Sampson scored 19 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists. Trevor Mbakwe and Blake Hoffarber both scored 14 points a piece. The Minnesota Gophers went on a 30-3 run that broke open the game. The win moved the Gophers to 9-1 on the season. Outside of Williams Arena was a massive blizzard that hit the Twin Cities.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Minnesota Gophers 83, St. Joseph's Hawks 73

Devoe Joseph and Ralph SampsonOn Wednesday night, the Minnesota Gophers defeated the St. Joseph's Hawks 83-73 in Philadelphia. Trevor Mbakwe grabbed 16 rebounds for the second straight game and Devoe Joseph scored 19 in the Gopher win. Trevor Mbakwe added 12 points of his own to record his team leading sixth double-double of the season, while Blake Hoffarber finished with 14 points. The win improved Minnesota to 8-1 on the year. They are currently #20 on the AP Top 25 poll. Up next for Minnesota is Eastern Kentucky at noon at Williams Arena.

Minnesota Gophers vs. Duluth Bulldogs

Jack ConnollyThe Minnesota Gophers will square off with the #2 ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday night at Mariucci Arena. The Duluth Bulldogs are one of the nation's hottest teams with a 12-2-2 overall record and are 9-2-1 in the WCHA. Jack Connolly leads the team with 23 points and centers that No. 1 line with wingers Mike Connolly and Justin Fontaine. Mike Connolly has a team-high 11 goals while Fontaine is third on the team with 21 points. The trio has combined for 26 goals and 66 points on the year. It will most certainly be a battle for the two squads. Purchase your Minnesota Gopher hockey tickets with Ticket King!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Minnesota Gophers 71, Cornell Big Red 66

Tubby SmithOn Saturday, the Minnesota Gophers defeated the Cornell Big Red 71-66 at Williams Arena. Trevor Mbakwe had 12 points and 16 rebounds and Blake Hoffarber had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Cornell Big Red hit 14 3-pointers and Errick Peck scored 16 points for the squad. It was the 5th straight loss for Cornell, a team that made the Sweet Sixteen last season. It was a close game throughout, but the main thing was that the Gophers won. After losing to Virginia, a rebound win against Cornell was a must. Next game is against the St. Joseph's Hawks (at St. Joseph's).

Mankato Mavericks Sweep Minnesota Gophers

Don LuciaThe Minnesota Gophers continued their up and down 2010-2011 campaign with suffering a sweep to the hands of the Mankato Mavericks over the weekend. On Friday night, the Mankato Mavericks dropped the Minnesota Gophers 3-2. On Saturday night, the Mankato Mavericks defeated the Gophers 2-1, behind a 49-save effort by goalie Phil Cook. It was the first sweep at Mankato in school history. It doesn't get any easier with #1 rated Minnesota-Duluth coming to Mariucci next weekend.

Minnesota Gophers Hire Jerry Kill

Jerry KillJoel Maturi has officially hired Northern Illinois Head Coach Jerry Kill to take over the football program. As a lifelong Gopher Football fan, this move does not make much sense to me. Athletic Director Joel Maturi promised Minnesota Gopher fans "a Tubby-Smith" like hire. There were plenty of rumors surrounding who the head coach would be - from Miami's Randy Shannon, Boise State's Chris Peterson, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, etc. Eventually Maturi settled for Jerry Kill, who most people never have probably heard of until yesterday. Time will tell, but this hire does not score any bonus points for Minnesota Gopher fans.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Minnesota Gophers vs. Mankato Mavericks

Mankato MavericksThis weekend, the Minnesota Gophers will pay a visit to play the Mankato Mavericks in Mankato. The Minnesota Gophers are currently 8-5-1 while the Mankato Mavericks are 4-6-4. The Minnesota Gophers could definitely use a sweep, as they are 5th in the WCHA right now with a 5-4-1 record. The Mankato Mavericks are 2-6-2 for 6 points in the WCHA right now. Get your Minnesota Gopher Hockey tickets with Ticket King!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Virginia Cavaliers Upset Minnesota Gophers 87-79 in ACC Challenge

Virginia CavaliersThe Minnesota Gophers suffered their first defeat of the season on Monday night, to the hands of the Virginia Cavaliers. The final score read 87-79. Not many people expected the Gophers to lose this game, but that was the final outcome. It hurt the team that starting point guard Al Nolen is hurt and will be out a few weeks. Devoe Joseph returned to the lineup but it wasn't enough, even though he did score 16 points. Joe Harris scored 24 points for the Virginia Cavaliers. Next up is the Cornell Big Red on Saturday, December 4.

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