BGF, I'm long past worrying about you embracing anything regarding the Gopher program. A bit of your history: January 2, 2014 Following the Michigan loss: This is a really really bad loss. You have to win these games at home. Not Devastating, but close. I was unimpressed with crunch time execution. We simply don't have enough good players to be competitive in this league. September 28, 2013 Following the Iowa loss (football): It's meltdown time for the Gophers program. Another embarrassing performance on national TV in a pivotal game. How does this staff expect to keep its commitments for 2014 and beyond playing dreadful like this? It honestly befuddles how bad this program really is. 17-0? Really? At home, to IOWA!? I am a passionate fan and will stick behind them, but I also see things as they are. We are just reaching news lows with every new coach. May 15, 2013 Regarding the Malik Smith signing: Nevermind, I retract my amended statement. He did shoot 36% overall, which is terrible. He's going to have to make some major adjustments as a Gopher because he won't have the automatic green light. But, he should get more open looks. We will see. Don't love the signing, but it was either him or Coleman and both are very flawed players. May 7, 2013 This is going to be a tiny team, no doubt. Mo Walker isn't going to play any minutes, so EE better come to camp in shape. And from January 28, 2012, the all-time classic from BGF, which epitomizes his rational approach to the Gophers: Why does this always seem to happen? Missed free throws. Stupid turnovers. Bricked shots. Botched rebounds. Click, the opposition is right back in the game, and then...boom, Minnesota is losing. This has been a discouraging trend of Tubby Smith's teams at Minnesota. Instead of getting all pissed and saying this team sucks and I quit watching, I'm going to ask a civil question: Why does this happen? Is it the players? The coaches? Or a combination of both? It's bizarre. Tonight's loss is a complete dagger in the heart of Gopher fans and more profoundly, the team. Essentially zero chance at an NCAA Tournament berth and another disgusting and sour losing season. I will continue to watch and support the team, but with the Timberwolves playing an exciting brand of ball (and winning a little) my attention may begin to sway toward the basketball team in Minneapolis that actually has a chance to beat really good team. The Gophers actually won this game, 77-72, in overtime, but BGF couldn't resist jumping in before the final result with his edgy commentary. We all have said ridiculous statements on this board from time to time, but few are so consistently negative and reactionary as BGF. I can't help but wonder if he is a pre-teen, as the dual obsession with a) dismissing recruits who aren't 4 or 5 stars; and b) judging entire seasons on the basis of one game recall how 10 year old Cool Hand Gopher would react.
