I know it's only a preseason poll and not official, but it looks pretty good and close to what the official poll could look like.  College basketball is just a few weeks away and the Tubby's Tip-off is tonight.  First off this year's team is very underrated and looks a lot better than last years team that many thought could go far into the tournament.  We all know what happened to that.  For the first time in many years, Foxsports.com has ranked the Gophers ahead of Wisconsin at number 19 and Wisconsin isn't even on the rankings.  The big ten teams lead the way with 5 teams. 

2. Purdue

3. Michigan State

4. Ohio State

12.  Illinois

19. Minnesota

Is this gopher team underrated and should we expect more than what we are expecting?  Should be another fun season of Gopher basketball. 

Here's link to Foxsports.com's preseason poll. 
http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/Duke-tops-preseason-top-25-college-basketball

According to sources, Joe Coleman is set to make his decision on Thursday this week.  He has eliminated Iowa State and narrowed it down to Santa Clara and Minnesota.  Sounds like Minnesota is the front-runner now, but that doesn't mean anything.  Do you think Tubby needs to land Coleman or is it ok if we lose out on yet another star recruit?  Coleman could be that star guy this program has been starving for, but let's wait and see.

Sounds like Wisconsin is moving to the big ten in hockey, joining Penn State next fall.  Crazy as it sounds Gophers could be going this route too.  Talking to many people, I get the sense that the end of the WCHA era for the gophers is near.  If the Gophers were to move to the big ten in hockey, they would still  have the rival series with North Dakota every year.  What do you guys think about this?  Would this be a good move for the Gophers to do this if they are thinking about it?

A power forward from Minneapolis has announced interest in Minnesota.  He decommitted from Boston College this month and is currently considering 5 schools.  They are Marquette, Providence, Minnesota, Iowa State, and BC.  Kevin Noreen is rated 92 on espn's recruiting page.  He is a three star on scout.com.  He would be the fourth recruit that the gophers added this summer that would be over 6'8 (He is 6'10).  That is of course if they sign him.  Noreen had over 4,000 points at Minnesota transitions school and was a Mr. basketball nominee.  What do you guys think about this guy?  Would he succeed at the U?  Also gophers offered a scholarship to Ben Brust.  He was the 2nd best PG still  uncommitted behind Joseph.  Should be an interesting summer to watch  how the lineup turns out. 

According to several sources, one of them being Sid, Justin Cobbs told the Gophers he will stay.   He said staying with the Gophers will give him a real shot at playing.  That's one bullet the Gophers dodged.  In other news, Tubby is on his way to Illinois right now to visit with the 2nd best PG that still is uncommitted, Ben Brust.  Smith said he still has high hopes that Joseph will still choose Minnesota, but is visiting Brust as a back up plan.   Also Gophers are trying to schedule some games in Canada next year to try and get Joseph to come to the U. 

The Gophers just received another commit.  This time from Latvian big man Oto Osenieks.  He's a 6'9 Forward that has a good outside shot.  Tubby says he will most likely play as a small forawrd next season.  He fits into Tubby's system very well.  He told the media just minutes ago that he will officially sign with the Gophers at noon tomorrow.  He his a senior at Brehm in Illinois right now.  Should be interesting to watch him next year.  Also on other gopher recruiting news, heard that Cory Joseph might make his decision this week.  

Gopher fans can now relax.  According to some sources, Cory Joseph has committed to Minnesota tonight.  This is coming a day after his longtime friend Walker committed to Minnesota.  Now we wait on Chim Kadima, Wisconsin baller who is close to making a choice.  What do you guys think this means for the Gophers next season?  Can they finally get over the hump of early round exits?  I think this is the closest thing to a John Wall/DeMarcus Cousins combo that the gophers could get.  Should be fun to watch the duo next year.