SelectionSunday
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After watching the Vikings fall to 0-3, it got me to thinking. As Gopher basketball rubes, in hindsight, do those of us who frequent here really have much to stress about when it comes to how our favorite Minnesota team is performing?
Yes, the Gophers' Big Ten regular season (8-10) was a major disappointment, especially after the great start to the season, but are things really that bad considering the Gophs won a NCAA Tournament game for the first time in 16 years? Are we as Gopher hoops fans so fussy that we should consider a trip to the Round of 32 a "What have you done for me lately?" kind of performance? If my math is correct, the Round of 32 has only happened seven times in the Gophers' history. ... 1972, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1997, and 2013. ... with two of those having asterisks, if you're so inclined.
I give you:
The Vikings? Coming off a wildcard loss last season, now 0-3 with no sign of the playoffs in sight.
The Wild? Spent major $$$$ for two really good players, and the early results brought a 4-1 series loss in the conference quarterfinals.
The Timberwolves? Haven't made the playoffs in Lord knows how long, though I must say that appears to be a reasonable goal in 2013-14.
The Twins? Pewwwwwwww. Mostly a Minor League roster with perhaps the most nondescript starting rotation in the history of MLB. This franchise won't sniff the playoffs for at least another 3-4 years.
The Lynx? It's neat what they're doing, but. ... if a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?
Yes, it will be difficult for the Gophers to get back to the NCAA tourney in 2013-14, but I don't think it's a huge stretch to think they can. Maybe we don't have it so bad if we look at the rest of the local sporting landscape. Tubby did some good things here before things started turning the wrong way in his 4th season, but I'm strangely confident that Little P -- once he gets his feet wet in the Big Ten -- can make the Gophers more relevant in the Big Ten.
Lehigh, you're on the clock.
Yes, the Gophers' Big Ten regular season (8-10) was a major disappointment, especially after the great start to the season, but are things really that bad considering the Gophs won a NCAA Tournament game for the first time in 16 years? Are we as Gopher hoops fans so fussy that we should consider a trip to the Round of 32 a "What have you done for me lately?" kind of performance? If my math is correct, the Round of 32 has only happened seven times in the Gophers' history. ... 1972, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1997, and 2013. ... with two of those having asterisks, if you're so inclined.
I give you:
The Vikings? Coming off a wildcard loss last season, now 0-3 with no sign of the playoffs in sight.
The Wild? Spent major $$$$ for two really good players, and the early results brought a 4-1 series loss in the conference quarterfinals.
The Timberwolves? Haven't made the playoffs in Lord knows how long, though I must say that appears to be a reasonable goal in 2013-14.
The Twins? Pewwwwwwww. Mostly a Minor League roster with perhaps the most nondescript starting rotation in the history of MLB. This franchise won't sniff the playoffs for at least another 3-4 years.
The Lynx? It's neat what they're doing, but. ... if a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?
Yes, it will be difficult for the Gophers to get back to the NCAA tourney in 2013-14, but I don't think it's a huge stretch to think they can. Maybe we don't have it so bad if we look at the rest of the local sporting landscape. Tubby did some good things here before things started turning the wrong way in his 4th season, but I'm strangely confident that Little P -- once he gets his feet wet in the Big Ten -- can make the Gophers more relevant in the Big Ten.
Lehigh, you're on the clock.
