The Opening Tip is a new feature to Gold in the Barn, with the goal being to share five
nuggets -- mostly Gophers or Big Ten related but occasionally not -- every morning between 8 and 10. Dig it? Hate it? Want to see something specific in it? Send me feedback at amelia.rayno@startribune.com or tweet me @AmeliaRayno.
Random Rankings is an even newer feature, which will be included regularly, if not daily. There is nothing too random. Something specific you want ranked? Tweet me.
Five tidbits while I count down the hours until this happens.
1. Recruiting update No. 1: Big man Anas Osama Mahmoud, a 2014 7-2 center who the Gophers had expressed interest in, committed to the elder Pitino, at Louisville yesterday. But a source said that wasn't the Gophers biggest priority at that position -- that honor falls to Kansas 7-footer Bakary Konate -- and they were OK with the loss.
2. Recruiting update No. 2: Gophers asst. Dan McHale was in Brownsburg, Indiana yesterday to watch 2015 6-3 guard K.J. Walton. Minnesota has not yet officially offered.
3. Does Austin Hollins' killer dunk vs. Wisconsin deserve Play of the Year status? Vote here.
4. The Gophers hang at No. 8 in BTN's Stephen Bardo's latest power poll, but drop to No. 9 in Inside the Hall's version.
5. Tweeted:
