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Super regional to under .500: U baseball struggling to find success
The 2018 team was historically good. This 2019 one — at least so far — isn't. While the Gophers have a nucleus of key players returning, some haven't played as well as they did last season.
Gophers' quarterback battle will last into training camp
Neither Zack Annexstad nor Tanner Morgan gained an advantage during Saturday's spring game. "We're going to need both guys at some point," coach P.J. Fleck said.
Fleck hopes Gophers' framework continues to sprout during spring game
This spring game will have a slightly different feel, with this week's snow forcing the Gophers to move it from TCF Bank Stadium to their indoor practice facility.
Gophers hold practice at Vikings facility in Eagan
Coach P.J. Fleck moved practice from Athletes Village on campus to TCO Performance Center to reinvigorate his squad after several weeks of spring practice.
Cavaliers dismiss karma, revel in redemption
"We just keep going after it. We don't give up," Mamadi Diakite said.
Skills of foreign players for Texas Tech, Virginia translate well
Texas Tech and Virginia players born outside of the U.S. overcome language contrasts to blend in.
![Rem Pitlick played against the Wild last month. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – March 25, 2019, Xcel Energy Cente](http://stmedia.stimg.co/08_1008201189_23WILD032619_54451943+(1).JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Ex-Gophers star Pitlick adjusting on the fly to life as a pro
Since signing with Nashville in late March, the former Gopher is getting a crash course on the NHL life. "I just feel like a rookie all the time,'' he says.
Video games in locker room let players relax on Final Four weekend
The machines will stay in place Friday and Sunday but disappear Saturday and Monday — game days.
Receiver Johnson glad to be back with Gophers
He's close to graduating, becoming the first of his parents and four younger siblings to earn a college diploma, and that's one of the main factors keeping Tyler Johnson with the Gophers for another season.
Why Auburn can win the national championship
Kentucky. Kansas. North Carolina. What do those three schools have in common? They rank as the top-three winningest teams in the college basketball. What else?…
Auburn finds inspiration, works OT to top Kentucky for first Final Four
Auburn soared after injured teammate Chuma Okeke showed up on the sideline Sunday. After the win, the Tigers join Texas Tech as Final Four first-timers next week at U.S. Bank Stadium.
SEC rivals Kentucky, Auburn overcome adversity to reach Midwest final
Auburn readies for Kentucky's challenge on Sunday without fallen teammate Chuma Okeke, who tore the ACL in his left knee and will undergo surgery Tuesday.
North Carolina vs. Auburn prediction: Our NCAA tournament game breakdown
The Tar Heels and Tigers could be a track meet.
Cashman's never-ending job interview continues on U's 'pro day'
For NFL prospect Blake Cashman, "pro day" at the U was another examination after a series of tests from the NFL combine, to phone and FaceTime interviews, to team workouts.
Gophers' Ibrahim says he can still learn from Brooks, Smith
The sophomore rushed for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns last season when Smith and Brooks were out because of knee injuries.
Gophers top scorer Pitlick leaves early for deal with NHL's Predators
Pitlick's 21 goals and 24 assists as a junior ranked him as one of the most prolific scorers in college hockey this season.
Departures leave Gophers hockey with younger squad next season
The Gophers are losing nine seniors plus goalie Mat Robson, which could leave them without a huge leadership group. Leading scorer Rem Pitlick could depart, too.
Gophers goalie Robson leaves school to sign deal with Wild
The move leaves the Gophers without a starting goaltender for next season. Mat Robson will report to the Wild, which is back in action Tuesday vs. Colorado.
Controversial ending to U season has hockey world buzzing
Gophers hockey coach Bob Motzko called it after his team's 2-1 overtime loss in the Big Ten semifinals. "It's going to blow up everywhere, how this thing ended."
Louisville succeeding again in a scandal's wake
Coach Chris Mack told the Louisville Courier-Journal that this season was like starting with a blank slate.
NHL bolsters its diversity efforts, though change is slow
The National Hockey League has taken steps to reach minority groups and get rid of homophobic language.
Gophers football notes: Winfield Jr. a big presence in first contact drill
Antoine Winfield Jr., who had surgery on his foot last season, and the Gophers wrapped up their first week of spring ball Friday.
Fleck brimming with confidence as U opens spring football practice
Fleck's goal this spring is to master the Gophers' offense and defense. In essence, he laid the foundation in year one, he cemented that knowledge in year two and now it's all about perfecting.
Three first-period goals starts Gophers' rout of Michigan
The victory moved Minnesota into the Big Ten tournament's single-elimination semifinals.
Sparse crowd sees Gophers men's hockey score OT victory over Michigan
A crowd announced at 1,835 witnessed the home team rally from a two-goal deficit in the first game of a best-of-three series.
Fleck: 2019 U football should be aided by 'experienced' youth
Coach P.J. Fleck said the Gophers have more experienced underclassmen than most teams in the nation, citing Tennessee and Utah as other examples.
Seniors step up, Gophers hockey sweeps Arizona State
The Gophers skated toward next week's Big Ten tournament in style, completing a home sweep over the No. 12 Sun Devils to finish out the regular season.
Gophers hockey continues hot stretch, winning 5-1 over Arizona State
Friday night's home victory over the 12th-ranked Sun Devils is the Gophers' fourth in the past five games.
Personal chef: Gophers' Pitlick takes healthy eating into his own hands
Gophers' leading scorer Rem Pitlick finds cooking is a way for the NHL hopeful to control what he eats and thus optimize his performance on the ice.
Novak points Gophers to sudden power-play success
Coach Bob Motzko ignited the Gophers' recent power-play success by moving senior Tommy Novak to the blue line.
Sheehy's big game gives Gophers hockey a split with Michigan
Senior captain Tyler Sheehy was in the mix for every goal, scoring one and assisting three to give him points in 17 of the past 18 games.
Little to like in Gophers' loss to Michigan to open weekend series
The Wolverines scored twice in the second period, and outshot the Gophers 45-26 on Friday night.
Gophers' Brinkman thriving after skipping senior year at Edina
Defenseman Ben Brinkman's size and calm nerves have smoothed the transition. Coach Bob Motzko said he has "far exceeded" expectations.
Crazy third period ends with Gophers hockey beating Wisconsin 9-4
The Gophers and Badgers combined for nine goals in the final 20 minutes of action, but the Gophers never relinquished their lead Friday at 3M Arena at Mariucci
Gophers looking at switching to smaller ice sheet - eventually
Varying sizes of ice sheets around college hockey venues have the Gophers adjusting as they travel and when they get home.
Olympic gold medalist Pannek has unfinished business as a Gopher
Kelly Pannek, now a senior, will lead the No. 2 Gophers women's hockey team in a showdown against No. 1 Wisconsin this weekend, with a potential regular-season WCHA title on the line.
No. 4 Iowa wrestlers beat No. 7 Gophers in front of sold-out crowd
Iowa sophomore Austin DeSanto bounced on the mat, waving his arms up and down before putting his hands to his ear to encourage the Maturi Pavilion crowd's boos.
Winger Gates keeps even keel amid Gophers' hockey struggles
Brent Gates Jr., whose father played major league baseball, is candid about his struggling team early in the year while doing his best to lead by example.
Life after the 'C.' Staal, others can thrive without being team captain
When former captains, such as the Wild's Eric Staal, come into their new team's locker room, they have to recalibrate from being the main voice to becoming part of the ensemble.
Gophers finally break through to beat Penn State, winning 4-1
Brent Gates Jr. scored the go-ahead goal for the Gophers, his fifth consecutive game with a score.
Penn State again gets the better of Gophers hockey, winning 4-2
The Nittany Lions scored three consecutive goals to take the opening game of the weekend series.
Wild's missed second chances adding up, causing players to tighten up
Wild coach Bruce Boudreau on Wednesday noted the pressure players felt as the Wild racked up misfires Tuesday's shutout home loss to the Sharks.
Gophers recruit Logan Richter finally joining the fold
Former Perham lineman "grayshirted" last season.
Déjà vu: Gophers hockey again ties Ohio State, again loses point in OT
The Gophers rallied from a two-goal deficit but the Buckeyes took the extra point for conference purposes thanks to freshman winger Quinn Preston's 3-on-3 overtime score.
Dubnyk says he's unfazed by bad stretches in Wild goal
Devan Dubnyk has lost four of his past six; in Thursday night's loss at Columbus, he gave up four goals on the first 14 shots but said "I'm comfortable with myself and my game."
Wild hopes to shore up leaky third periods
A letdown against Arizona on Tuesday was the third happenstance in four games.
Parise over illness, feels ready to play Saturday for Wild
Zach Parise, who missed Thursday's game, said he felt OK at practice Friday and anticipated feeling even closer to full health for the game Saturday.
Gophers hockey opens six-game homestand with overtime loss to St. Lawrence
The Gophers rallied for two goals in the third period to tie, but St. Lawence's Michael Ederer spoiled the effort.
Gophers hockey concentrating on improving, not on Big Ten opponents
Gophers first-year coach Bob Motzko says it will take time to know league foes.
Cutesy Gophers hockey routed by Mavericks in series opener
The Gophers allowed goals in the first minute of the second and third periods of a 5-1 loss to MSU Mankato. "There's just a lot of cuteness to our team that doesn't belong in hockey," coach Bob Motzko said.
Gophers goalie situation is a good problem to have
Head coach Bob Motzko says Mat Robson and Eric Schierhorn both have been outstanding.
Loons face an unwelcome repeat vs. Columbus in regular-season finale
The Loons, already eliminated from playoff contention, face Columbus at Mapfre Stadium on Sunday in the final regular-season game with a dubious distinction possible.
In Year 2, Loons' fortunes were better off the field than in games
Minnesota United's business side is, in many ways, thriving, with a new soccer-specific stadium set to open. But the on-field product has lagged as its second MLS season draws to a close Sunday.
Loons close out TCF Bank Stadium rental with '50k to Midway'
Minnesota United officials expect 52,000 fans Sunday afternoon for the Loons' match with L.A. Galaxy, the final game at TCF Bank Stadium before Allianz Field opens next spring.
Wild's veterans leading push through team's sluggish start
Young players have been reveling in watching the big-name players on the roster work.
Dubnyk bright spot in Wild's slow start while offense seeks answers
A four-day stretch between an overtime loss to Vegas and Thursday's match with Chicago has the team reconfiguring forward lines.
Gophers hockey finds its way, tops No. 1 Duluth 7-4 in home opener
Bob Motzko picked up his first win as Gophers coach, even if he went to the wrong bench to start. Meanwhile, the top-ranked Bulldogs outshot No. 13 Minnesota 46-22 but had trouble finding the back of the net.
Iowa freshman cornerback Moss passes exam vs. Gophers
Hawkeyes fill-in Riley Moss had two of Iowa's four interceptions Saturday vs. the Gophers.
Bob Motzko on a mission to transfer winning formula to U hockey
New coach may not know everyone's name yet, but he's seeking to build a family atmosphere with the Gophers like the one that worked so well for him in St. Cloud.
Loons CEO says Heath, GM Lagos 'get passing grade'
With Minnesota United nearly two full seasons into its MLS existence and having a combined record of 20-34-9, many have wondered if a change in leadership is on the horizon.
Loons midfielders Bob, Maximiano suspended for next game
Minnesota United players Fernando Bob and Maximiano will both miss the next game with suspensions.
Quick to start, slow to finish: Loons hang on to defeat Portland 3-2
Up 3-0, the Loons allowed two late goals and sustained a red card but secured the victory over the Timbers.
Loons popular designated player Quintero a leader in taking losses hard, too
Well-known to soccer fans in Mexico, designated player Darwin Quintero has shined with the Loons, on offense and with teammates, even as defeats keep him up at night.
United rookie Omsberg gets chance to start in tough road match
Wyatt Omsberg, Mason Toye and Carter Manley have seen limited playing time in their rookie seasons but say they've progressed since they were drafted in January.
Minnesota United-D.C. United gameday preview
The Loons, refreshed for their end-of-season push, visit MLS' latest soccer-specific stadium.
Royals starter Lopez throws eight perfect innings in win vs. Twins
Max Kepler's walk to lead off the ninth inning prevented a perfect game, and Robbie Grossman singled one batter later to break up the no-hitter but the Royals still won 4-1.
De Jong's Twins debut a family affair
When Chase De Jong makes his Sunday start at Target Field - four hours from his father's hometown - he will be the 53rd Twin to play this season, which tops last year's club record of 52.
Pro-style obsession: Local athletes flock to Fortnite
The video game sensation Fortnite counts well-paid athletes among its biggest players. "They definitely got me," Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie said.
Secret weapon? Seth Green runs the wildcat, scores twice for Gophers
The former East Ridge star had a tough conversation with coach P.J. Fleck when he was told that he wasn't a quarterback candidate. But other roles have popped up.
Loons sever ties with defender Tyrone Mears
The team said the 35-year-old right back, acquired last December, had agreed to mutually terminate his contract to help facilitate a move to play soccer closer to family in his home country.
Is Bob the answer? Loons sign defensive midfielder from Brazil
Fernando Bob, 30, has played for eight clubs at various levels in Brazil in his pro career, most recently with top-flight club Associacao Atletica Ponte Preta.
Formation shift possible for Minnesota United's match at FC Dallas
The Loons might be driven by absences back to a familiar formation.
'Coach Tyler.' North High's Johnson takes on being a boss for Gophers
During captains' practices, Tyler Johnson took up a new position in addition to being a Gophers star receiver: "He's like the coach out there," a teammate explained.
Home-grown Kallman on track for rare one-team career with Loons
Christian Ramirez's departure makes Brent Kallman, from Woodbury, the Loons' only player who hasn't strayed.
Loons sell popular Ramirez to LAFC in deal that could fetch $1 million
Christian Ramirez, the Loons' leading scorer from 2017, has been with the club since 2014 in the North American Soccer League and was a fan favorite in Minnesota.
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