Yesterday was Big Ten media day in Chicago (a bit earlier this year than usual), which means across the country, sports minds have finally begun to focus on basketball, at least to some degree. The season's start, now, is only a few weeks away. Minnesota plays its first game in less than a month, against Louisville on Nov. 14 in Puerto Rico.
A few Gophers tidbits with autumn sinking in:
*In case you missed it, our story in today's Star Tribune, written by Jack McCarthy from Big Ten media day: This year, it looks like Wisconsin and everyone else.
*Also, no surprise here either -- women's senior guard Rachel Banham was named Big Ten preseason player of the year by both the media and coaches.
*Minnesota commit Kevin Dorsey will be taking his official visit this weekend per a source. The point guard arrived on campus on Thursday night.
*According to rivals.com's Ryan James, 2016 and 2019 prospects, brothers Michael and Mathew Hurt will attend Gophers practice this afternoon.
*The Gophers got some conference-wide love at yesterday's event. Via an informal and anonymous player poll conducted by BTN.com, Minnesota received the most votes for "Big Ten sleeper team." The Gophers' Richard Pitino also received a vote for "Coach you'd like to play for."
*Andre Hollins, the Big Ten's most underrated player? That's the opinion of at least one league coach, anyway, per CBS' conference preview.
