Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 2.7.24
Tell a friend to sign up for The Takeout here!
Wild’s back from the All-Star Break tonight in Chicago. Nice to see the NHL reward those poor Blackhawks, those with a million Winter Classics already, and a sexual predator scandal, and a complete rebuild, with the 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.
Wolves Blow (Another) Seemingly Insurmountable Lead
The Wolves wake up today in a four-way tie for first in the West-technically in third place-and if they’re outside the top three when the playoffs begin, you have to look no further than their complete inability to close a game out.
Of their 16 losses, I could probably walk you through 10 fourth-quarter meltdowns by memory. The latest being last night in Chicago, where Minnesota led by TWENTY THREE points and then went to sleep, scoring just 46 points in the second half en route to a 129-123 OT loss at United Center.
Plenty of culprits as usual, no more than bench player Kyle Anderson, who picked up a costly technical against the Bulls. The game wouldn’t have gone to OT without that. The Wolves looked old and slow-outscored 26-13 on fast break points.
While they have limited assets they’d be willing to trade-you’ve got to wonder if they shake things up for some veteran leadership before tomorrow’s 2 p.m. central trade deadline. Mike Conley is a fine point guard, but Chris Finch seems less and less trusting of him (somewhat for good reason) late in games.
The Wolves have lost FOUR 10-point leads in the fourth quarter in their last 10 games, per Wolves radio. A year ago I’d have thrown this on Chris Finch. But I’m firmly in the coaches coach and players play section now.
A tough road matchup with Milwaukee awaits Thursday.
Gophers Above .500 in Big 10 Play with Win over Spartans
The Gophers men’s basketball team has won three straight Big 10 games for the first time in seven years (!) after rallying from nine down in the second half for a 59-56 home win over Michigan State.
Just three Big 10 teams wake up with a better record than the 6-5 in conference Gophers-ranked teams Purdue, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Cam Christie scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half for the Gophers. He hit five 3-pointers.
The Gophers are at Iowa on Sunday. No one is happier about this resurgence than the promoters of next month’s Big 10 Basketball Tournament, held at Target Center.
Things are not going as well for the Gopher women, who lost their fourth straight conference game Monday, 76-65 in East Lansing. They host Ohio State tomorrow.
Sponsor The Takeout
Sponsorship packages are available! The Takeout is a great spot to advertise your small business. Get thousands of eyeballs on your product every month. E-mail ryanstanzel@gmail.com
NETWORK PARTNERS
