Let's do a quick U review

March 28, 2017 at 4:48AM
Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Don Lucia watched the team before the puck dropped against the Penn State Nittany Lions Friday night. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRIBUNE) aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team played the Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.
Men’s hockey coach Don Lucia (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With four of the Gophers' highest-profile teams having just finished their seasons while a fifth embarks on an interesting transition under a new head coach, this is a good time to take a look at the big picture for all five programs.

1. Gophers men's hockey

• State of the program: In the grand scheme of things, Minnesota has made the NCAA tournament five of the past six seasons, including this year. In two of those years, the Gophers reached the Frozen Four. But their past three years — two one-and-dones in the tourney, including this year's loss as a regional No. 1 seed to Notre Dame, and missing the NCAA field completely a year ago — are below this program's high standards.

• The big question: The Gophers are 14 years removed from their last NCAA championship. Head coach Don Lucia guided them to titles in 2002 and 2003, but fan unrest has mounted in recent years. Is he getting enough out of the team, and would it make sense to consider a coaching change?

2. Gophers men's basketball

• State of the program: Minnesota is on the upswing and feeling 1,000 percent better about its position relative to a year ago. The Gophers tripled their win total from eight to 24 and made the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed before being upended by Middle Tennessee. With almost the entire team coming back next season and talented newcomers joining the mix, the future is bright.

• The big question: It can be hard to duplicate success and handle expectations. How will head coach Richard Pitino and his team fare next season under the weight of those things? The answer could mean the difference between an OK season and a special one.

3. Gophers women's hockey

• State of the program: Minnesota went to the Frozen Four for the sixth consecutive season. Though the Gophers came up short of a title this year, they've won four NCAA championships since 2012. That's a dynasty.

• The big question: Can head coach Brad Frost, with a loaded incoming recruiting class, lead Minnesota to another NCAA title next season when the Frozen Four returns to Ridder Arena?

4. Gophers women's basketball

• State of the program: The Gophers went 11-7 in the Big Ten in Marlene Stollings' first two seasons — making the NCAA field once and the NIT the other year — but slid to a 5-11 conference mark and a 15-16 overall record this year, missing the postseason. Minnesota allowed 74.5 points per game this past season, ranking No. 332 out of 345 Division I programs.

• The big question: Was this season a one-year dip or the start of a downward trend for the Gophers under Stollings?

5. Gophers football

• State of the program: It's unmistakably a new era, with the up-tempo (to put it mildly) P.J. Fleck taking over as head coach for Tracy Claeys, who was let go after a scandal-filled 9-4 season. Fleck is the first to say that he's not for everyone — and some early transfers from the program might speak to that notion.

• The big question: Will Fleck be able to keep the Gophers on an upward trajectory next season as he builds for the future, or will there be a step back before we can judge evidence of a step forward?


Minnesota;s Basketball Coach Richard Pitino met with the media before the Gophers headed for Milwaukee, Tuesday, March 15, 2017 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.flores@startribune.com
Men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
University of Minnesota women's hockey team head coach Brad Frost coaches practice at Schwann Super Rink in Blaine. ] (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune) leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
Women’s hockey coach Brad Frost (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Gophers head coach Marlene Stollings during media day on Wednesday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - October 26, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, University of Minnesota Women's Basketball Media Day
Women’s basketball coach Marlene Stollings (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota's Head Coach P.J. Fleck addressed the media regarding his recruits during National Signing Day, at TCF Bank Stadium, Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in Minneapolis, MN. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com
Football coach P.J. Fleck (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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