Maturi is excited about the Gophers hockey team, that after finishing with a 16-14-6 record last season, has made a comeback. Minnesota is among the nation’s top ranked teams and is 15-7-1 overall, and 11-3 in the WCHA, although the Gophers have lost two straight nonconference games by one goal each.
Maturi sees a “hunger” among returning players who want to have this season be special. “I think we have a good team, and I think we have a hockey team that potentially could be great, but there’s a lot of factors that go into being great versus good,” Maturi said. “And that remains to be seen.”
Those factors can include a team playing effectively at tournament time and having a “hot goalie.” But for now the Gophers are impressive—a talented team with size and speed that plays with energy and is entertaining to watch.
Maturi’s contract as athletic director ends in June and he said his status beyond then is to be determined. Maturi repeated comments made months ago that both he and new University president Eric Kaler need to be comfortable with one another. Maturi said no meeting with Kaler is planned for this month to discuss his future.
Maturi has been Minnesota’s athletic director since 2002 and he said at this stage of his career it’s important to be happy with his job and who he is working with. “Those decisions are still ongoing and will be made in due time,” he said.
Timberwolves Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are on the NBA All-Star game ballot. The 61st All-Star game will be played on February 26 in Orlando.
Love was quoted in the January 9 issue of Sports Illustrated about those who think his rebounding numbers might be inflated: “…I tend not to listen. I let my game do the talking.”
Twins pitcher Franciso Liriano has been given permission by Twins management to pitch 20 innings of winter baseball in the Dominican Republic.
The Gophers baseball team will play 39 home games including 38 at the Metrodome and a May 5 game against PennState at Target Field. The Minnesota schedule has the team playing 27 straight home games—the longest consecutive home stand in program history. The Gophers open their schedule with the 18th annual Pro & Legends Alumni Game at the Metrodome on February 4.
In March of 2010 the Gophers, playing against Louisiana Tech, hosted the first baseball game at Target Field. The game drew the second largest crowd in collegiate baseball history, 36,056.