Gopher/Badger Kickoff Announced But Not Really

Posted by Big Party

It was announced today that the Gopher/Badger game will be either at 11 AM or 2:30 PM.  In an equally informative press release, they also announced that they will be playing football.

Start time for #Gophers game vs Wisconsin on Nov. 23 will be either 11 am or 2:30 pm. Time will be announced after Nov. 16 B1G games.
— Gopher Football (@GopherFootball) November 11, 2013

I realize that this was a roundabout way of announcing that the ban on November night games was not being lifted and that ESPN Game Day probably is not planning to come to town for the game (or at least that it won't be the feature ABC game that night and Game Day comes anyway. SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S A CHANCE?).  However, this announcement and subsequent delay of a concrete game time is annoying on so many levels.  
What about the season ticket holders up state who won't know if they need to get a hotel room or will be able to drive down in the morning?  What about the families that may need to arrange for someone to watch their kids so they can attend the game? What if a certain group of well-dressed gentlemen had grand plans for a Classy Pre-Thanksgiving Tailgate Spectacular?

I realize that the powers that be don't really care about the fans making plans to go to the game because it's all about the TV money, and if I wasn't actually attending the game I wouldn't really care what time it started as long as I could actually watch it. I just felt like venting a little. 

Basketball Thoughts:

I was at the Barn for the opening game against Lehigh on Friday.  It was a pretty up and down performance from the boys in gold.  I'm by no means a basketball expert, but I thought I'd relay some things I saw:

Great seats for the season opener. I'm pretty sure I was
unknowingly sitting in front of Joey King's family while
audibly complaining about his style of play.

• The highly anticipated press looked good at times, but Lehigh broke through with ease most of the night.  They were able to get a lot of wide open jump shots while the Gophers were transitioning into the half-court defense.  The Gophers also struggled mightily getting the long rebounds, allowing Lehigh to get 14 offensive boards and lead in the rebounding battle for most of the night.
• The offense looked pretty lifeless in the half-court set.  The Gophers were able to get a lot of good looks from three through passing around the perimeter, but they need to attack the basket more often and look for drive and dish opportunities.
• Eliason looked like a redwood among shrubs and had a strong game in extended minutes due to Mo Walker's suspension.  It'll be interesting to see if he's able to pick on someone his own size.
• The Hollins boys spent a lot of time alternating between playing tentative and attacking the basket. Let's hope they get more comfortable with the offense as the season progresses.
• There are not enough basketballs for Malik Smith and Joey King to be on the court at the same time. Those guys are looking to shoot anytime they get the ball.
• Speaking of Joey King: You know that scrappy player almost every B1G team has and everyone else hates?  The one who flops to draw charges, dives on the floor when he doesn't have to, and is a sneaky dirty defender? That's going to be Joey King for the Gophers.  Only he takes it to another level by constantly calling for the ball on offense even when he isn't open.  If he can continue to score 20+ a night the Gopher faithful will love him, but other fans will look at him like we all looked at Tom Coverdale or Joe Krabbenhoft.
• Andre Hollins better start getting interested in playing transition defense.

• The refs were terrible.  Inconsistent and way too involved in the game.  As a fan, it's the most frustrating brand of basketball to watch.
• Goldy Gopher was being all cute and jumping in front of the court kids while they were trying to mop the floor, and my wife was giggling about it and commenting how cute it was. I then leaned in and whispered, "oh yeah, well I've been inside of him."  (Note: I used to dress up as Goldy for employee recognition events during undergrad.)

I'll show up and leave whenever the heck I want.  
Wanna fight about it?

• Norwood showed up at the beginning of the 2nd half, sat court-side for about a 20 minutes, and then left.  He must just wander from event to event most nights. I wonder where he parks?  I'm sure he has a pimp spot at each venue with a sign that says "FOR GUYS NAMED NORWOOD ONLY".

I'm planning to post my reactions to the Penn State game later in the week, as well as a special little article about how the Classy Gentlemen prepare for big games. Thanks for reading!