SiouxScore

Big game for the Vikes tomorrow find a way to lose and they could be all the way up inside the top 10 come draft time. No Cook, Reiff, Rudolph, Kendricks, Dantzler, Odenigbo, or Holmes. Still worry that Jefferson and Thielen will combine for 300+ and a number of TDs though. Stafford says he wants to play for Detroit so hopefully he can and hopefully Detroit watched how awful the middle of the Vikings defense is and just runs it down our throat all day.

Would be a really solid situation to step into at Jacksonville.

Gophers defense has been very solid. Lot more ball movement the last 3 and a lot less Carr dribbling. Robbins has also adjusted to the physicality and pace a lot more. Another big one tomorrow afternoon at Wisconsin. Gonna have to value every possession offensively because there will probably limited transition opportunities. Crazy thing about the Michigan State win is Minnesota really didn't play well offensively with some real bad turnovers and bad selection stretch for a good 10+ minutes in the middle of the game.

I think going to 8 makes a lot of sense. Go the 5 power 5 conference champions, top group of 5 team, and 2 wildcards. This year you would have Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M. I'd also think about a rule that the 2 wildcard teams couldn't both be from the same conference either. Really feel the committee overrated the SEC this year. No way a 3 loss Florida should be above Cincy and I don't even think they dropped last week after the loss to a bad LSU team.

Solid win. Good way to finish what I'm sure has been a grind of 2+ weeks for the guys.

Gophers played awful yesterday. Game was there for the taking and just didn't make enough plays.

Good to get a couple guys back in the lineup. Still too many soft clears and turnovers for my liking but it seems to be improving a little bit. Found a way to win.

Good to get the win but man we gotta clean some things up. No doubt part of the problem is the lack of depth and just exactly who we are missing but way too many unforced turnovers and a ton of them are happening in that dangerous area that usually transition into a good chance. Weak clears, soft passes off the wall to the middle, blind passes just wanting to get rid of the puck, and just some not very smart decisions. Scheel really played well and came up big on a couple of great opportunities coming off of UND turnovers.

Certainly sound like it will be Minnesota @ Wisconsin next week, both sides are pushing for it and Alvarez usually gets what he wants. Few weeks ago I would've been pretty worried about what the final score might look like but now with the way that Wisconsin has looked the last couple weeks and the Gopher defense showing a little bit of improvement I have a little hope. Not sure the outcome ultimately ends up different than I would've thought at Thanksgiving time but I feel a lot better going into it next Saturday than I would've at that time if they do end up playing.

Really ugly game to continue a bad week of Sioux hockey. Really missing Sanderson and Kleven defensively. Goaltending hasn't been terrible but it hasn't been great in any game either, really pretty average. Way too many turnovers and just blind plays that go nowhere throughout this week. Ton of stick checks lately too. It lead directly to Duluth's tying goal the other night and they led right to St. Cloud's I think it was 3rd goal. Gotta get clears and make plays when you get the chance and our guys haven't so far this season. A lot of guys have the look like they think because of last season things will come easy for this team and things haven't come easy at all. Still gotta do the little things, still gotta know the scouting report, still have to make the basic plays, and be in position. Gotta realize it is a new year with new guys and a new team and your starting over. Put in the work and be better in all areas going forward.

Their 24/7 board is absolute meltdown. Their fan base went after Minnesota and kept trying to create the storyline that they don't really want to play this year and then they go out and the Gophers beat them while missing 33+ players. I love it.

Weatherby

I'll go with JBD for tomorrow.

I just hope they aren't just taking him for a camp body and he gets a legit opportunity now. Hope he impresses and makes the team now.

No inside info but hoping they can add someone for the 2nd semester.

Kleven now going to the WJC camp too. UND will only have 6 D for at least a while. The loss of Miller before the season is really gonna hurt here.

Gaber

Fun hockey game between two good teams. Definitely some sloppy moments from the Sioux the need to be tightened up. The winner from Kawaguchi was excellent he sure got the puck up quick there.

UND really battled hard and had a good showing. Impressed with Rebraca again and I think I say that after every full UND game I watch. If he can play at the level he did tonight consistently I like some of the complimentary pieces and think UND could make some noise in the Summit and hope they do. Not a good effort at all for the Gophers. Did get the win but most of all I hope they learn their lesson from tonight. Not much good Minnesota can take from this one.

Gophers came out sleep walking with a couple completely blown assignments both from Carr giving UND wide open shots and some unforced turnovers. UND took advantage and built the lead and I think gained some confidence and energy. A half to forget for Carr with the struggles defensively and trying to do too much offensively. Gach has been very good and needs to keep attacking the rim. Gopher bigs especially on the defensive end have to have a much better effort and fight. That is a problem that hasn't improved much through 3 1/2 games so gives me a little concern thinking ahead to B1G play. I'd expect a much more intense effort defensively from Minnesota to start this half trying to force some turnovers and get out in the open court.

This is a Gopher team that should at minimum be a NCAA Tournament team. With a lot of new pieces they are still coming together a little bit but the talent is there. Marcus Carr had a very solid year last season and has come back improved. He is the best point guard in the B1G and one of the best in the country as well. The Gopher bigs have struggled through the first 3 games. Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson have both been in a lot of foul trouble and with Robbins at times it seems like he is trying to force some things and live up to the hype that everyone heard about him in the offseason. There may be a couple other teams that Pitino has had that were more talented but this group has some depth to go along with that talent and should help to close out games better by giving the key guys a little more of a breather than they saw last year. There were many times last season where Carr, Kalscheur, and Oturu each played 38 out of a possible 40 minutes. Gophers have been going 10 deep in their regular rotation with Carr, Kalscheru, Gach, and Robbins starting each of the first 3 games and veteran Eric Curry starting the first two after returning from 2+ years of injuries. Curry was a guy who looked special his freshman season but has had his career derailed by injuries with two ACL tears. Grad transfer Brandon Johnson started the last time out for the Gophers and I'd guess he will stay in that spot. The Gophers will bring Freshman Jamal Mashburn JR off the bench at PG, SO Tre Williams, SO Isaiah Ihnen, JR Jarvis Omersa, and Curry off the bench as well. Minnesota did not play well at all Monday against LMU and I'd expect them to be ready to go tonight. I do not expect this one to be close and really hoping to get a long look at some of the bench guys for the Gophers tonight and that Gabe Kalscheur will find his shot and Liam Robbins looks a little more comfortable.

Adams

Good to have Sioux hockey back. Really solid defensively for the most part. Not a lot of space for Miami. I thought Gaber would be an impact guy but he really really impressed me. Think he will have a big season.

Might be a little high but I'd be willing to go there if I'm the Twins of course it isn't my money either. I also would've moved May into more of the closer role as well though.

I got no problem with any Sioux player kneeling or any other athlete for that matter. I will still support my teams and athletes whether they choose to do this or not. I understand they are using their platform for doing what they think needs to be done, bringing awareness to injustices and trying to help better those disadvantaged.