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The Gophers will play Southern California on the road this Saturday, reported the Minnesota Daily.

This will be an important game, not only for the player but also for Coach Smith since if the Gophers beat USC, this would be win No. 500 for Smith's career. "That's a testament to longevity, just being able to stay in the game, a testament to the good players I've had, because I haven't made a shot since 1973," Smith said to the StarTribune.

Smith said they chemistry of this team is one of the best he has ever seen and they are ready for big things, reported the StarTribune.

As of right now Minnesota is ranked 14 in the country with a 9-1 record, reported Minnesota Daily.

Gopher QB Max Shortell will be transferring and will not be playing the bowl game with the Gophers, reported the Minnesota Daily.

The 20-year-old sophomore is not going to say any probable destinations until receiving his release from the Gophers, however, he says he some options, reported the StarTribune.

Coach Kill said to the Minnesota Daily, "Max is an outstanding young man, and I respect and understand his decision to transfer."

Shortell's father, Tom Shortell said to the StarTribune that there are no specific reasons of transfering, and that coach kill tried to talk to Max about it. "He [Coach Kill] tried to talk Max out of transferring. I know Max really wishes it had worked out there."

The Gophers are Seeded eighth in the NCAA tournament, and will play the first round against Liberty this coming weekend at the Sports Pavillion, reported the StarTribune.

The Minnesota Daily reported, the Gophers have a 24-7 overall record, while Liberty is 25-7. Minnesota head coach Hugh McCutcheon said he does not have a lot of information about Liberty's team, but his team is prepared.

Gophers opposite hitter Katherine Harms and middle blocker Tori Dixon were selected as part as the All-Big Ten team during the middle of the season, while Daly Santana is seventh in the national rankings in aces per set with 0.49, reported the StarTribune

"I believe in this group. I think we can go far," McCutcheon said to the Minnesota Daily. "It doesn't mean we'll win."

After sweeping at Vermont, the Gophers return home, where they're 5-0-1, reported the StarTribune.

Now the Gophers will face Nebraska-Omaha for the last time in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association this weekend at Mariucci Arena, reported the Minnesota Daily.

The Gophers are one of the three teams in the nation that are rank in the top 10 in power play along with Boston College and Union, reported the StarTribune.

On the other hand, Omaha who joined the WCHA in 2010, will transfer to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference next year, reported Minnesota Daily.

It will be an interesting game for the Gophers this weekend since the Mavericks swept the Gophers two years ago at Mariucci Arena, reported the StarTribune.

Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover is not worried about playing Donnell Kirkwood, repoerted the Pioneer Press.

The Gophers' offense was not explosive against Illinois but. it was strong and powerful, thanks to Kirkwood, reported the Minnesota Daily.

Kirkwood is very exited for qualifying for his first bowl game. "The seniors deserve it. The team deserves it," Kirkwood said to the Minnesota daily. "Now we know that all the hard work we've done has paid off."

After the game against Illinios Coach Kill, looked happy about the team outcome, but he said his team has to work and harder to get ready for the last two games of the season against Nebraska and Michigan State, reported the Minnesota Daily.

After winning the Best Buy Classic title over the weekend, junior Micaella Riche was named Big Ten player of the week, reported the Pioneer Press.

Head coach Pam Borton said to the Minnesota Daily that Richie showed a lot of effort in both games. She contributed with 29 points and 14 rebounds.

"My teammates did a great job getting me the ball," Riche said to the Daily. "I trust my teammates on that they're going to get me the ball ... so working hard is definitely worth it."

Riche, averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds a game during her sophomore year. Now as a junior Richie is the first Minnesota women's player to get the Big Ten player of the week since Rachel Banham on Jan. 9, repoerted the Pioneer Press

Apparently the Gophers men's basketball team, is over with their roller coaster off-season, reported the Minnesota Daily.

Mbakwe seemed full of energy during their last exhibition game. Coach Smith said, "I think he's [Mbakwe] back," "I thought he looked good out there I thought he played extremely well and he didn't seem to be playing with any hesitancy." Reported the StarTibune.

Although Mbakwe is feeling better he has some personal goals this year. "My goal is to get back to my old form, a guy who you can expect to get a double-double on a nightly basis," said six-year senior to the Minnesota Daily.

Although the Gophers have depth up front, Junior Austin Hollins said to the StarTribune Minnesota will still play small and look to run the court like they did towards the end of last season.

According to Minnesota Daily, Gophers Head coach Jerry Kill didn't say it, but Saturday's game against Illinois can be one of the most important game of the whole season.
On the other hand, Illinois has been having a terrible season, but their fans still show up for tailgating, reported StarTribune.

Illinois has lost 11-straight Big Ten games including the ones from last season. Plus a 27-7 loss to Minnesota, reported the Minnesota Daily.

In what is suppose to be a sunny day, the Gophers will be wearing their gold pants for the first time on the road and the traditional white jerseys while Illinois will wear orange jerseys and white pants, reported StarTribune.

Coach Kill said to the Minnesota Daily the plan to beat Illinois was mainly to "keep the quarterback inside the pocket and not let him get outside and run around"

Minnesota and Michigan usually play for the Little Brown Jug trophy that is why it is consider as one of the Big Ten rivalries. The problem is that the Gophers have only won three times in the last 40 games, reported the StarTribune.

Oct. 1, 2011 was an embarrassing day for the Gophers football team when they lost 58-0 to University of Michigan, reported the Minnesota Daily.

"Everybody who went to Michigan last year knows how we felt coming back," reported Minnesota safety Brock Vereen to the Minnesota Daily.

This Saturday is supposed to be an important game for both teams. On one side The Wolverines say they want "the jug". But on the other side if by winning this game the Gophers can become eligible for a bowl game, reported the StarTibune.

Gopher's women's basketball team beat Concordia-St. Paul university, 76-49 Wednesday night at William Arena, reported the StarTribune.

Gophers guard Rachel Banham scored 22 points over the night, repoerted the StarTribune.

However, after the game, Banham said to the Minnesota Daily she's still not back to full speed.

Redshirt freshman Kayla Hirt made her first collegiate debut that night. Hirt miss all the 2011- 2012 season because of a knee injury, reported the Minnesota Daily.

Hirt finished with 10 points and five rebounds, reported Minnesota Daily.

"It was good for her to get as much time and as many minutes as she could," Gophers Coach Pam Borton said to the Minnesota Daily.

This was the fifth time the Gophers meet Concordia, an NCAA Division II, reported the StarTribune.