Andy Greder / St. Paul Pioneer Press
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team is tied for the fewest road wins in the Big Ten this season. But to keep alive its NCAA tournament aspirations — which reside on the fringe — the U seems in need to at least double or triple that total. Minnesota, which is 1-7 in conference games away from Williams Arena, will have three chances in the final four regular-season games, starting at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, against Rutgers (12-14, 5-11 Big Ten) in Piscataway, N.J.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota United will play Hertha Berlin in the first international friendly at Allianz Field on May 22, the club announced Friday, Feb. 22. Hertha Berlin was founded in 1892 in German’s capital and is a founding member of the Bundesliga, one of the top soccer leagues in the world. They will continue the Loons’ tradition of exhibition games against foreign clubs.
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck expressed surprise Thursday, Feb. 21, over critical comments former U coach Jerry Kill made about Fleck earlier this week. “I got a lot of respect for Jerry Kill; I always will,” Fleck said on KTLK-AM 1130 during halftime of the Gophers men’s basketball game against Michigan. “I’ve learned so much from him, especially working for him and knowing him a lot of years. I’m really sorry he feels that way. I’m not sure where that came from.”
MINNEAPOLIS -- Word is starting to spread across the Big Ten basketball scene this winter about Daniel Oturu. He’s making people notice, on and off the court. The Gophers basketball team’s 6-foot-10 freshman center from Woodbury, Minn., and Cretin-Derham Hall made the short trip to the U as one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2018 class. And through 25 games, he has established himself as one of the most promising young players in the conference. Peeling back that initial layer reveals much more.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Gophers found its lost 3-point shooting and discovered stifling defensive play to snap a four-game losing streak with a 84-63 win over Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Williams Arena. For Minnesota, the complete smackdown of the languishing Hoosiers was refreshing after the U felt snakebitten by the officials in the 62-61 loss to previously hurting Nebraska on Wednesday. Minnesota has been the worst 3-point shooting team the Big Ten this season, and one of the league’s worst defensive teams through two-thirds of the conference schedule.
The University of Minnesota football program dismissed freshman player Max Janes immediately after learning he was facing charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer, a U spokesperson confirmed. Janes, an 18-year-old from Arden Hills, was arrested by Minneapolis police and jailed early Feb. 8. He faces a fourth-degree felony assault charge for “demonstrable harm” of a police officer. He was released from the Hennepin County jail on Monday, with a court appearance scheduled Tuesday.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Sitting on the Gophers’ bench, injured center Eric Curry had a different perspective on the controversial finish to Nebraska’s 62-61 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Curry said he doesn’t dwell on the controversial foul call on teammate Amir Coffey -- one the U disputes and which gave Cornhuskers guard James Palmer Jr. the opportunity to win the game with two made free throws with 1.1 seconds left.
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Minnesota Golden Gophers remained in most NCAA tournament projections after beginning February with a three-game losing streak. That skid came against three ranked teams, but inclusion in March Madness forecasts will fade with Minnesota’s 62-61 loss to reeling Nebraska on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The result ceased Nebraska’s seven-game losing skid and increased Minnesota’s lull to four.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota United’s list of six previous MLS-era players brought in on loan would make for good trivia questions. Who was the Loons’ first goalkeeper in MLS? John Alvbage. Who was the Danish winger who didn’t score in his 11 games before his loan was terminated months early? Bashkim Kadrii. Who were the two loaners who made only one appearance each with Minnesota? Jose Leiton and Brandon Allen. Who was the Brazilian defensive midfielder who changed his name while in Minnesota and was limited by a knee injury? Maximiano, also known as Luiz Fernando.
MINNEAPOLIS -- One extended offensive possession during the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ 56-51 loss to Wisconsin on Wednesday, Feb. 6, has begun to sum up their season. Trailing 45-41, Minnesota had three good chances to make it a one-score, or even a one-point game, against the rival Badgers with five minutes left at Williams Arena. They couldn’t cash in.