Amelia Rayno: U hoops practice facility could be part of Bierman complex Minnesota's master planning project is coming to a close, but the biggest pieces of the process are still ahead, Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague told me Thursday. POPULOUS --the firm the university hired to create a master facilities blueprint -- has completed all of the interviews necessary when considering such major projects. The two biggest pieces remaining are the spacing issues and the financial estimates, which should wrap up in the next couple of months. Teague said he feels good about the fundraising possibilities for the coveted basketball practice facility, although he wouldn't single out any donors that could lead the fundraising for the project. Teague's No. 1 choice for the location of the practice facility would be as part of the Bierman Athletic Complex, which is being strongly considered. That scenario might require some re-shuffling of what is currently there. Those specifics will be determined soon. Said Teague of the Bierman choice: "If we do that, it will make us much more efficient as an organization, much more student-athlete friendly and that will keep as many of their activities in one location, and that is huge."
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