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Rather than getting nasty about the Gophers, as Randy Shaver did last night, let’s embrace the other Minnesota team, Winona State. Speaking as a historian, I just love those old Carleton College teams that were such a powerhouse from the ‘10s to the ‘30s, and the fact that they beat at least 6 Big Ten teams over those years—including the Gophers twice in the ‘30s. The Gophers were not good in those years but just a few years later, in 1937, they won a Big Ten title. So it doesn’t really diminish the Gophers, it just enriches the Carleton story.
So it is here. Dan Monson was quoted afterward saying, “I’m glad it was an exhibition.” I personally wish it counted. Not, again, to diminish the Gophers, but just to really appreciate what Winona State has done. They have 4 starters back from the NCAA II national champs, the one loss being David Zellmann of Lewiston-Altura HS, who led the HS tournament in scoring in 2002. I don’t think they’ll win the national title again this year, not because they won’t be good. But they weren’t a really dominant team last year—they had to come back from a double-figure deficit with inside 10 minutes left against Mankato State in the regional. It takes some luck to win the national title and there are a lot of good teams. So they will be very very good, but winning the national title is a very tall order.
The game was tied at 61 with 1:15 left. The Gophers shot 46 percent to Winona’s 40, but Winona out-rebounded the Gophers 40-27. Jonte Flowers scored 15 for Winona, and John Smith 14 with 13 rebounds. Dan Coleman scored 20 and Lawrence Mackenzie 13 to lead the Gophers.
Now the Gophers open their post-exhibition season with another potential embarrassment vs. North Dakota State (remember them?). NDSU finished 16-12 last year in its second season in D1 and returns 5 starters:
Guard Ben Woodside from Albert Lea, who led the team with 17 points and 5 assists.
Guard Mike Nelson from Madison, WI, who shot 44 percent on 3s.
Forward Mike Winkelman from Morris, who shot 47 percent on 3s.
Forward Andre Smith from St. Paul Como Park, who scored 13 ppg and led with 8 rebounds.
Center Lucas Moorman from Dickinson, ND
Also on the roster from MN are Tom Lunde Ulen; Josh Vaughan, Braham; Austin Pennick of Moorhead Park Christian; Sam Sussenguth, Willmar; Freddy Coleman, St. Paul Johnson. They just announced the signing of Eric Carlson of Shakopee for next season, who I think will be a star at this level (well, it’s D1 but you know what I mean). There is a lot of continuity in the program, too, as Tim Miles is entering his 6th season at NDSU with a 79-63 record. He is 192-124 overall in 11 years. He took Mayville State to the NAIA national tournament twice and took Southwest MN State, not exactly a powerhouse historically, to the Elite Eight in D2 in 2001.
This is a game the Gophers can lose if they can lose to Winona State. Though like I said, it’s too early to bash the Gophers. Even if they lose to NDSU, the fact is Winona and NDSU are very very good teams. OTOH NDSU went 2-11 on the road last year. They open at Idaho Friday night and Idaho was picked to finish 9th and last in the WAC. If NDSU doesn’t win—and maybe, win easily—then maybe I am overrating the Bison.
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