I was looking at the Gopher BB schedule on the Gophers website and noticed that several of the early games aren't going to be broadcast on the BTN. But they are going to be broadcast on the "Gopher Network" for $9.95 a month. They had some samples of stuff there and I went to look at it and the videos loaded so slowly I couldn't even watch them. Now I don't have the fastest internet around but I don't have any trouble with ESPN3. Is this a rip-off? What the heck's going on?

USC announced Monday that it has suspended running back Marc Tyler  for the season opener against Minnesota on Sept. 3 and from all team activities.

Tyler, who appeared intoxicated on a  video, said he was "joking" when he said he responded to a question about if athletes were paid more a USC or in the pros. "USC," Tyler said. "They breaking bread."

Tyler also said USC stands for "University of Sexual Ballers" and also made a reference to reality star Kim Kardashian, who once dated former USC running back Reggie Bush.

Tyler rushed for 913 yards and nine touchdowns last season and was USC's projected starter at running back.

Does anyone here know if the Gopher/Northwestern game will be on TV or radio. The Big Ten Network apparently isn't broadcasting it. At least I can't find it on their schedule. Is any other TV  network broadcasting it? How about ESPN3? I know WCCO radio will broadcast it but I can't get it here it in North Carolina without paying a fee through the Gophers Network, and that's high priced for only one game. What to do? Any thoughts? I'd sure like to see or hear the game if at all possible.

Indiana forward Christian Watford is out indefinitely after breaking his left hand.

The school says Watford was injured during Sunday's 84-83 overtime loss at Michigan State and had surgery Tuesday. Watford is Indiana's top scorer at 17 points per game.

It's the second significant injury to an Indiana sophomore in less than three weeks. Guard Maurice Creek had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right kneecap on Jan. 20 and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Watford and Creek were projected to be the cornerstones of Indiana's rebuilding project when they arrived last season. Creek was the Hoosiers' top scorer last season, while Watford was No. 3.

It's the second significant injury to an Indiana sophomore in less than three weeks. Guard Maurice Creek had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right kneecap on Jan. 20 and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Watford and Creek were projected to be the cornerstones of Indiana's rebuilding project when they arrived last season. Creek was the Hoosiers' top scorer last season, while Watford was No. 3.

For breaking rules of probation. There goes the season! Mbakwe has posted bond of $500 and was released. But will face court charges. Maturi is aware of this. If Maturi doesn't let him play, we can kiss this season goodbye. Why the heck do things like this always happen to the Gophers. Is it the type of kids we are recruiting or is it something else? This tream has been in turmoil for the last three years it seems. One thing after another.

The NCAA on Wednesday turned down Iowa State men's basketball player Royce White's appeal to compete this year as a redshirt sophomore at Iowa State.

White, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound native of Minneapolis, signed with Minnesota for last season but never played a game for the Golden Gophers.

"We had a long talk with Royce and he is disappointed," Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said in a release. "He is fully on board on being a Cyclone. He's excited about how the team is playing and he is going to continue to take pride in his role as a member of our scout team."

White was suspended last fall after an incident at the Mall of America. He later pleaded guilty to theft and disorderly conduct and left Minnesota in February.

"I am disappointed with the decision," White said. "I am extremely happy with my decision to be a member of the Iowa State basketball team. It's my goal now to help this team any way I can during this season and prepare myself to be contributor on next year's team."

White announced he was transferring to Iowa State in July and had hoped to bypass the NCAA's rule that transfers must sit out their first season.

I was listening to a Lexington, KY radio station today which I believe was the local ESPN affiliate. They had a curious thing on the air. The began by talking about how the coach (Larry Brown) of the Charlotte Bobcats was going to be pushed "upstairs" by Jordan after the season ends, and the team would be looking for a new coach and Tubby Smith would probably be their top choice. Then the announcer said a curious thing: "We know that Smith is VERY UNHAPPY AT MINNESOTA, and he would be perfect for this job and would probably take it if it was offered."

Well, that's the first time I've ever heard that Tubby was very unhappy in Minnesota. I know he wants an up dated practice facility but I've never heard anyone say he was unhappy, including himself. It got me to wondering why a a UK booster would be saying that. Was he trying in some way to say that Tubby never wanted to leave UK? Or that Tubby was happier at UK than anywhere he's ever been? Or was it something else. I just thought you'd like to hear what's being said in Kentucky about Tubby.

in his "Bracketology" for the NCAA Tournament and playing in the East Bracket. He has us playing William and Mary in the first game.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

Apparently we're getting some love! We need to win tomorrow against Purdue to keep up up in that rating. I see where Samson is still out of the Purdue game and I think he will probably be out for one or two more. To bad, we got a tough bunch of games coming up in January. We got to hope that smaller lineup will run opponents to death or else Iverson will have to have some monster games which from his past performances doesn't seem too likely.

They are just a game out of first in the Big Ten with a 13-4 record and they are playing like a team with something to show. They lead the Big Ten in hitting and fielding. They just swept Iowa winning their last game 12-3. It looks like they have a good chance of winning the Big Ten Title. I can't see them getting an invite to the College National Tourney.

I see, too, where the Big Ten Network will broadcast all the game in the Big Ten Tournament starting May 20th.

The hardest golf hole in the world... where the prize for a hole-in-one is a cool $1million. Check out this link. It's a gold hole in Africa where you have to take a helicopter to read the tee and then again down to the green. Neat stuff for all you golf fans ncluding a video:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1171227/Pictured-The-hardest-golf-shot-world--prize-hole-cool-1million.html

It's opening day of the baseball season in the majors today and I know the Twins will be playing in a controlled atmosphere. But I've always wondered about outdoor games in the early spring.

Today in Cincinnati, it's about 40 degrees and it's getting colder. Snow is predicted and there is a cold wind blowing.

So here's my question...

In cold weather how do pitcher's arms react. How to they keep warm and loose? Do they throw more off-speed pitches and let up a bit. It seems to me that arms could be really strained or injured in such cold conditions.

So, anyone ever go through this? What do the coaches tell you? How do you keep your arm loose? Or don't you?

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi said Friday that he and head football coach Tim Brewster are no longer talking about an extension to Brewster's contract.

"Now is not the right time,'' Maturi said. "The situation has to do with a lot of things, with the economy, with the current climate, things of this nature.''

"Things are going well,'' he said. "[An extension] should not be the focus of the program right now,'' says the Star/Tribune

In a fan blog of the top 10 salaries on this site, Tubby's salary is listed at $630,000 per year and the highest salaried employee at the University.

I just read on the net that the normal salary for a top basketball coach with NCAA tournament experience is in the $1.5 to $2 million range. Tubby's replacement at Kentucky is around the $1.5 million range I believe.

What am I missing here?

IL just beat  #11 Purdue 71-67 in overtime. Illinois has gotten the best of a the Illini lately. They upset Purdue in the second round of the Big Ten tournament last season when the Boilermakers were seeded second and Illinois 10th.

Now, the next perfect upset would be the the Gophers over the Spartans. I wonder where we'll be rated if that happens.

Gads I hate these 75 word minimums. What more can I write about this?

Huge game this Saturday afternoon. I don't think the Gophers will win it but you never know. Eastern Kentuck beat Louisville. It could be a really good game and I want to watch it badly but I can't find if it's being broadcast anywhere. I check all the ESPN channels and Big Ten Network and neither seems to be carrying the game. I live in Kentucky. Is it being broadcast nationally anywhere?

I just found this site a few days ago and have been reading it. Who ever is putting this blog together I just want to tell you, "IT'S GREAT!" I've been reading some other Gopher blogs but they are too cynical or to "homer." It's refreshing to find a site that is "Gopher Proud" but that also gives us the fact. Keep up the good work! I'll be a loyal reader.