Search results

Any guesses what Oklahoma's W-L record would have been in 2022 if they'd had Minnesota's pitching or lack of it?

It's certainly causing my interest D1 volleyball to crash and burn. As I've written in other posts, there appear to be teams of grad students competing in an undergraduate league.

Agreed. The key is outstanding pitching, that is, All-Big and All-American caliber pitching. To my knowledge, the U has had 3 such pitchers, the most recent 2 recruited by the same coach. For the Gophers to reestablish themselves as an elite program, they need a stud starting pitcher. I for...

For nearly 10 years I followed Gophers Softball as a strong optimist. The past 3 seasons have left me in the defeatist/nihilist camp. I'll keep our season tickets and see or follow every single game, as always, but with no expectations until we see a squad with some fire and grit plus the...

I agree. Get good enough to keep knocking at the door year after year and a breakthrough can come. But year after year is the key.

We make do. In spring 2017 I watched Minnesota State Mankato play a 'home' softball DH on neighboring Gustavus Adolphus College's borrowed D3 football field, in a combo rain/sleet storm. Miserable conditions. 2 months later MSU Mankato swept the D2 national championship. That was the same year...

Bradley, Burnett, and Den Hartog are lightning fast on the basepaths (btw also as defensive outfielders & DenHartog as a hitter too, of course). In fall ball Burnett even "stole" first base on a semi-passed ball 3rd strike. That's why I'd put them out there & give a green light to run at...

Rutgers seemed to see no reason for taking shots from the floor; the whole 2nd half they just dribbled in and shot uncontested layups. Can MN not change its defensive approach?

I'd put Bradley, Burnett, and DenHartog at the plate, then on base, and let them run,run,run, followed by Oakland at bat,who may be the best player in the conference. Ok, I may be nuts but let's hope I'm not.

I agree with you, except for the pitching, which is my focus. I've said here before: the Gophers haven't brought in an All-American pitcher since Fiser's senior year in HS, and that's what? seven years ago? Extremely difficult to fnd, but it can be done.

You're most likely right, sadly enough. I think we're watching a Gophers program, which was taking over after MI as the conference power, slide into a middle of the conference also ran.

I think you're right. I'd say, though, that they finished 9th last year only because of the pitching disaster. With two solid starting pitchers, the Gophers team in the field would have won the BIG title.

I share your lack of enthusiasm. About the only U teams I expect important wins from these days are M & W hockey and football. Actually the 2023 softball seems to have some potential if they have good pitching and a BIG title should be within reach, but the disappointing results of the past 3...

Your comments are very interesting. True, MN had top-20 recruits but IMO not much team dept in support. I think the 2018 Oregon loss was bec MN was looking at Nebr next. MN in 2018 peaked too early & Nebr was peaking for NCAAs. The Gophers' minds were more on Nebr than on Oregon. The mystery...

My homespun theory is that D1 coaching success is (with only a slight exaggeration) about 90% recruiting depth of top talent, keeping them in the program, and letting them all use their talent. D1 coaches all have the 10% skill to manage the flow of a game once it begins, but that skill won't...

I've never met Hugh McCutcheon, have only observed his Gophers play from a bleacher seat, and I have no inside info at all. 5 or 6 years ago I started watching Gophers games pretty religiously, enough to buy season tickets, which I've never done for any other sport any time in my life; his...

I loved watching Jenna play here. Here's hoping Cook takes MN another step forward & brings in even more superior players to win (or chalenge for) nat'l titles with, a la Texas & Louisville.

Agreed! The facility (Williams and the Pav) is way too antiquated. Old and venerated is one thing. Decrepit is another. In the Pav, where we see VB, many attendees are senior citizens, who have trouble managing the stairways, which lack handrails and have awkward steps. The bleacher seats are...

Studying the U softball schedule, I didn't see the BIG tournament listed. Surely there will be one?

I'd say for the first 6 1/2 years I'd give an A. There were BIG championships and Final Fours. Plus the feeling the Gophers could & would beat anyone they played. With a national championship (which was in reach) or even a final-round NCAA loss I'd give an A+. Teams with real focus and verve...