During last year's spring practices, the Gophers football team was struggling to piece together an offense that would complement its improving defense. Some things never change, as exhibited by Saturday's...

Gophers defensive end Karon Riley had been waiting for this opportunity since his arrival at Minnesota one year ago. The Gophers were expecting big things from Riley, as well, and the 6-foot-4, 248-pound...

Minnesota senior Lee Hutton is a busy man these days, but his obligations are hardly related to his course work. Hutton, a four-year letterwinner with the Gophers football team, is shuffling between starting...

There were times last season when the Gophers secondary was an object of pity. During the 1998 football campaign, Minnesota's defensive backfield was exploited by voracious pass offenses looking for the...

Today begins a new season for the Gophers men's basketball team, but it could be over as soon as it starts. From this point on, Minnesota (17-10, 8-9 Big Ten) doesn't need to worry about polls or power...

Entering the season, the Gophers men's basketball team had a number of questions that needed to be answered. While some questions -- such as who will be the leading scorer -- were answered within the first...

There were few surprises at Monday's awards banquet for the Gophers men's basketball team. Forward Quincy Lewis, who was overlooked for the Big Ten Most Valuable Player award despite being the nation's...

Gonzaga basketball coach Dan Monson and his team, fresh off a 25-6 season and a West Coast Conference title, watched impatiently Sunday afternoon as the brackets for the NCAA tournament were announced. "It's...

For the Gophers, the wait is over. It's time to play. After spending most of the weekend recuperating from a first round loss to Illinois in the Big Ten tournament, on Sunday Minnesota (17-10, 8-9 Big...

CHICAGO -- Moments after its stunning 67-64 loss Thursday night, the Gophers men's basketball team walked off the United Center court stunned and bewildered, still trying to grasp what had just hit them. The...

If Gophers forward Quincy Lewis is upset about being snubbed for the Big Ten Player of the Year award, he's not showing it. As Minnesota (17-9, 8-8) prepares to play Illinois (11-17, 3-13) tonight in the...

Five years ago, twin brothers Jason and Jermaine Stanford walked on with the Gophers men's basketball team, continuing almost a lifetime of playing basketball together. For four years, the twins earned...

The Gophers entered Thursday night's game with one strike against their NCAA tournament chances, courtesy of their 54-42 humiliation against Purdue earlier this week. One strike equated to one chip on...

As he entered Cooke Hall Thursday morning, Gophers great Sandy Stephens could feel the emotions he felt as a student-athlete 37 years ago. "This is a real deja vu," said Stephens, the first black quarterback...

It wasn't too long ago that a gangly forward from Little Rock, Ark., would step onto the court at Williams Arena, score eight quick points, and then return to the Gophers' bench. Those were the days of...

Three games, one week. That is all that separates the Gophers' basketball team from a date with March Madness, or perhaps a less-than-glamorous trip to the National Invitation Tournament. For Minnesota...

At his weekly press conference, Gophers coach Clem Haskins was told by a reporter that Purdue coach Gene Keady was upset about playing back-to-back games against Minnesota. "Well, I guess I'd better leave...

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Road woes keeping you down? Afraid that the NCAA tournament selection committee may pass you over? Well, look no further than Penn State, which has provided a sort of therapy for...

The fact that February is the shortest month of the year might be a mixed blessing for the Gophers. For Minnesota (14-8, 5-7 Big Ten), the March 4-7 conference tournament will give the team an opportunity...

He came to Minnesota with a basketball pedigree, formerly one of the most highly touted high school players in the nation. Naturally, for Gophers' guard Terrance Simmons, the hardest words to accept were,...

Fate -- and the top-ranked team in the Big Ten -- can be so cruel. This was a game the Gophers wanted so badly they could taste victory for 39 minutes and 58 seconds. This was a matchup that was supposed...

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa coach Tom Davis said that after his team defeated the Gophers 76-73 Wednesday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, he looked at Gophers' coach Clem Haskins and shook his head. "It's just unbelievable,"...

The Gophers men's basketball team has five games left and an NCAA tournament bid at stake. Yes, it's crunch time. Minnesota (14-6 overall, 5-5 in the Big Ten) is one of seven conference teams vying for...

ANN ARBOR, Mich -- Multiple personality disorder is an affliction that can be treated -- and eventually eradicated -- through therapy and rehabilitation. That may be a blessing for Gophers men's basketball...

There are certain times during a college basketball season when a game goes beyond the realm of bad play and sinks into the depths of ugliness. The Gophers' 75-63 dismantling of Illinois was simply ugly. It...

Illinois boasts a roster full of no-names, and its 1-7 record in the Big Ten indicates a monumental rebuilding effort lies ahead. But make no mistake, Illinois is a team the Gophers men's basketball squad...

When asked about her team's two losses on the road last weekend, Gophers forward Sonja Robinson frowned. Her expression was more of an indication of how far the womens' basketball team has come, and how...

Prior to Tuesday night's game against Indiana, Gophers men's basketball coach Clem Haskins made a prediction: "We've always had some battles in my 13 years here, and Tuesday will be no different." Moments...

Considering its inability to win road games, there is no place like home for the Gophers men's basketball team. Coming off an 89-60 humiliation at Ohio State, Minnesota (12-4, 3-3 Big Ten) will try to...

In 14 previous tries, the Gophers gymnastics team had been unsuccessful in earning a victory against Utah, a team whose reputation was only matched by its success. For a little while on Saturday, it looked...

Gophers coach Cheryl Littlejohn wrapped up practice with short run drills designed to keep her players on their toes and on task. When the tempo of the drills wasn't to Littlejohn's liking, she made her...

Gophers' forward Miles Tarver stepped up to the line, hoping to extend the team's streak of consecutive free-throw conversions, as well as their perfect mark from the foul line. He missed. Fortunately...

There was a time when the mere mention of the Michigan men's basketball team struck fear in the hearts of opponents. The Wolverines were an indomitable force in the country, dispatching both Big Ten and...

It's hard to guess which Minnesota men's basketball team might show up next. Will it be the hesitant group of young men who lacked aggressiveness and whose on-court rhythm was about as far off as their...

What a difference a year makes -- especially for the Minnesota women's basketball team. Last season, in the beginning stages of coach Cheryl Littlejohn's rebuilding effort, the Gophers dwelled at the bottom...

At his weekly media luncheon, Clem Haskins was asked if his Gophers and their Wednesday opponent, Michigan State, were equal in their talent and abilities. "If we had Mateen Cleaves, we'd be even," Haskins...

Over the phone on Friday morning, Gophers' coach Clem Haskins' voice indicated both surprise and dismay. He wasn't alone. Haskins was reacting to the announcement that legendary Georgetown basketball coach...

When Gophers guard Ryan Keating -- who could be easily mistaken for a member of a campus chess club -- entered the ballgame with a little more than a minute to go, everyone, including the Penn State Lions,...

As point guard Terrance Simmons' last-gasp shot bounced off the backboard, the Gophers found themselves in a position they had been in only once before this season. Losers. In a game that was about as...

Even though his team is off to a solid 4-0 start heading into December, Gophers men's basketball coach Clem Haskins was less than overjoyed. In the spirit of the holiday season, as well as the fact the...

Gophers' guard Kevin Nathaniel has made the leap from backup utility player to backcourt starter, but the transition pales in comparison to an even bigger leap: Air Force veteran to college basketball...

Mike Dougherty With all signs pointing to a seven-win season next year (refer to lightweight schedule below), let's take a moment and reflect on this season's highlights and lowlights. Team MVP: Hands...

For 12 young men at the University of Minnesota, it's time to lace up the high-tops, rip off the warm-ups and get ready for some basketball. With two former state basketball players of the year (freshman...

As exhibited in the Gophers men's basketball team's 81-67 win over Applachian State, size does matter. The Gophers, using a lineup superior in size, speed and quickness, broke open a narrow halftime lead...

Approximately 20 reporters huddled outside the Iowa locker room waiting for Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry. But it was clear they weren't going to ask him about the game. In fact, there wasn't much to ask about...

With its bowl aspirations gone, the Gophers football team heads into this week's game against Iowa playing for one thing: pride. Gophers' coach Glen Mason has preached cohesiveness to his team all season,...

Gophers forward/center Antoine Broxsie wants to go home. And if Minnesota makes it to the Final Four in St. Petersburg, Fla., he'll get his wish. The 6-foot-10, 232-pound sophomore is looking to become...

While the Gophers' 20-19 loss to Indiana might have been one of the team's toughest to swallow, there were certainly some bright spots. The play of quarterback Billy Cockerham: Cockerham put together his...

Moments after the Gophers' 20-19 loss, coach Glen Mason put his hands over his face in dejection. He, like his players, was at a loss for words over what had just happened. As the team bus was boarding...

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Gophers prepared for Indiana's freshman phenom quarterback Antwaan Randle El all week. But in the end, their bowl hopes were blind-sided by his brother, cornerback Curtis Randle...

The story of the Gophers' season can be summed up by three words: lack of dimension. Whether it's their pathetic efforts to muster a ground game or their inability to defend against the pass, Minnesota...

During the week of practice, Gophers players had one question running through their minds: How do you stop Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El? First, linebacker Parc Williams tried to take a crack at...

The days of "instant offense" are over for Gophers' forward Quincy Lewis. Now, he is The Man. Since his arrival to the University three years ago, the 6-foot-7 Lewis has been a complementary player to...

After briefly dissecting last week's 26-7 spanking at the hands of Wisconsin, Gophers' coach Glen Mason said it was time to move on to this week's opponent. And while Indiana is the team listed on the...

Gophers' coach Clem Haskins could have one of his deepest and most talented teams in recent years, but it remains to be seen whether talent and depth will translate into wins. Haskins should have more...

If the performance of the Gophers' defense against Wisconsin could stand alone, it would rank among their best overall efforts of the season. However, Saturday's 26-7 loss to the Badgers can be attributed...

The Minnesota-Wisconsin game has always had tremendous meaning to fans on both sides. But this year, it might mean something more to the teams as well. If the Gophers play the role of spoiler, then the...

Well, coach, is it Billy Cockerham or Andy Persby? It hasn't elicited the same type of commotion as the Vikings' Randall Cunningham-Brad Johnson debate, but -- contrary to his staunch denials -- Gophers'...

It would be a gross understatement to point out that the Minnesota football team's .500 record heading into the final stretch of the season is surprising. After a 56-21 destruction at the hands of Purdue...

It may not have been pretty, but the Michigan football team walked away with the Little Brown Jug for the 12th consecutive year. The Wolverines won with a little help from 6-foot-4 receiver Tai Streets...

They entered the season as defending national champions. Within the first two weeks, they were dethroned and left for dead. But Michigan's football team has since been resurrected. The Wolverines are keeping...

The Gophers' defensive line must have had something in their Gatorade prior to the game against Michigan State. The line, maligned for its lack of playmaking all season, finally stepped up and came through...

Forget about quarterback Billy Cockerham's last-minute heroics in the Gophers' victory over Michigan State last week. And forget about the performances of receiver Luke Leverson and kicker Adam Bailey,...

Maybe it was the aura of Homecoming. Or maybe the football gods decided it was time 22 years of Michigan State domination came to an end. Either way, Minnesota escaped Saturday with an exhilarating 19-18...

After their 45-15 loss to Ohio State, Gophers players said they looked forward to playing against underachieving Michigan State. If the Gophers stand a chance of being competent in the Big Ten, they must...

The Gophers rediscovered their passing game against Ohio State, an indication that the team hopes to rely on quarterback Andy Persby and his corps of wide receivers to keep the chains moving against some...

Luke Leverson isn't the biggest or the fastest wide receiver in the Big Ten, but he is on his way to becoming one of the best. The 6-foot, 175-pound junior from Miami leads the team and is currently ranked...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If anything can be learned from the Gophers' 45-15 loss to Ohio State Saturday, it's that overwhelming talent at every position wins football games. The No. 1-ranked Buckeyes, by their...

The Gophers are 37-point underdogs against the Buckeyes this weekend, which should speak volumes on the talent disparity between the two teams. But it also means the Gophers have almost no respect nationally,...

After giving up seven sacks in Saturday's loss to Penn State, the Gophers' offensive line can take heart in the fact this week's opponent has totaled only eight sacks all season. This week's opponent happens...

The Gophers' offensive line has been one of the main areas of scrutiny this season, giving up almost five sacks per game thus far. The problem is not so much a lack of talent as it is a lack of experience...

After last season's 16-15 win over the Gophers, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was almost sorry that his team won -- and even walked into the Minnesota locker room to say so. This year, he sounded...

Although the Gophers football team got off to a 3-0 start, showing more than a few flashes of a turnaround from years of subpar performances, coach Glen Mason stopped short of predicting big things from...

With a shaky quarterback situation, the Minnesota corps of running backs will be under the gun to produce much more this season than they have through the first four games. This weekend's matchup against...

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Moments after its 56-21 trouncing of the Gophers, instead of being overjoyed, the Purdue football team was puzzled. Players were scratching their heads at the fact their opponent...

Michael Dougherty With a history of high-scoring duals, the 3-0 Gophers head to West Lafayette, Ind., for Saturday's Big Ten opener against Purdue hoping to knock off the Boilermakers. Purdue won last...

Through their first three games, the Gophers football team is ranked fourth defensively in the Big Ten. But don't break out the champagne just yet. The defense flexed its muscles in September against the...

One of the keys to the Gophers' success this season will rest upon the effectiveness of their defensive backs. The first real test of the secondary will come Saturday against Purdue and its high-profile...

Michael Dougherty It seems as if Notre Dame finally figured out a way to stop quarterback Drew Brees and the high-powered Purdue offense. They kept the ball away from him. The Irish capped a late rally...

Gophers' wide receivers coach Vic Adamle has a lot of reasons to smile this year. One reason comes from Detroit, another from Miami. In freshmen Ron Johnson and Jermaine Mays, the Gophers have two receivers...

A capsule look at the Big Ten conference, with teams listed in order of The Minnesota Daily's projected order of finish: 1997 Record: 10-3 (6-2 Big Ten) Coach: John Cooper (11th season) Team Breakdown:...

For a long list of questions that need answering -- as if final exams weren't enough -- look no further than the 1998 Minnesota football team. This season, the Gophers will try to put together their first...

Please excuse University women's hockey coach Laura Halldorson if she raises the level of expectations for her team in just their second season of play. She has her reasons. Winny Brodt, one of Minnesota's...

Never mind the dropped passes. Forget the fumbles. If there is one thing that can be said about this year's Gophers football team, it's that optimism still reigns. During Friday's media day, posters and...

They stepped onto the field, giddy and apprehensive, but ready to play. For incoming Gophers football recruits, this week's freshman camp offered a chance to shake off any early jitters while trying to...

Gophers head football coach Glen Mason finished the 1997 season with many lingering questions. Beginning today, he hopes to find some answers when incoming freshmen report to practice, followed by the...

Ben Williams is getting ready to play football in Minnesota. Again. As preparations for the Minnesota Vikings' afternoon practice were underway last Wednesday, the former Gophers' defensive lineman relaxed...

When the Minnesota Timberwolves' first round pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft was ready to be announced, many Gophers supporters held their breath, hoping for Sam Jacobson's name to be called. Radoslav Nesterovic,...

In June 1997, the Minnesota Timberwolves publicly contemplated the idea of drafting Minneapolis native and ex-Gophers center John Thomas in the days prior to the NBA Draft. After passing up Thomas, the...

On Wednesday, ex-Gophers men's basketball players Sam Jacobson and Eric Harris will find out where they will start their professional careers. The NBA Draft, which will be held in Vancouver, will determine...