Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

Gophers Basketball

The 2025 Minnesota Miss Basketball winner, Jordan Ode, announced Friday that she's entering the transfer portal after her freshman season at Michigan State University. Will she be a Golden Gopher next season?

Gophers Football

While returning stars Drake Lindsey and Jalen Smith will need to be rock-solid, these five players could really raise the ceiling for the 2026 Gophers.

University of Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle.

Gophers Hockey

In a bit of a surprising revelation, esteemed college hockey insider John Buccigross says the Minnesota Golden Gophers have not reached out to Western Michigan about interviewing head coach Pat Ferschweiler.

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

Drake Lindsey enters his second season as the starting QB in Minnesota. His growth will be key, even though P.J. Fleck is pumped about a talented roster.

Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Dawn Plitzuweit cheers on her team during the second half of the NCAA women's basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus on Feb. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 87-84 in overtime.

Gophers Basketball

Madeleine Hamiel is one of the top young hoopers in Minnesota, having burst onto the scene as a freshman at Cretin-Derham Hall.

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Gophers wide receiver Jalen Smith (8) celebrates with teammate Logan Loya (17) after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the New Mexico Lobos during overtime of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

FanDuel Sportsbook released its 2026 Big Ten over/under win totals on Friday, and only four of the 18 teams in the conference have a lower win total than Minnesota's 5.5. Here's how the Gophers stack up compared to the rest of the Big Ten.

Gophers senior defender Nelli Laitinen against Ohio State in the WHCA tournament semifinals on March 5, 2026.

Gophers Hockey

The 11-team National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship bracket has been revealed, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers received the No. 4 seed. They will face No. 5 Northeastern in the opening round this week.

Jan 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mara Braun (10) celebrates during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

A 22-7 regular season, including a 13-5 record in conference play, earned the Minnesota Gophers women's basketball team the No. 4 seed in this week's Big Ten Tournament.

Feb 24, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Dusty May, the head coach of a true national title contender, has an appreciation for Niko Medved after the fight the Gophers gave the No. 3-ranked Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Tuesday night.

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

Now that NDSU is in the FBS as a Mountain West team, the appeal of a border battle between Minnesota and the Bison has never been higher.

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota is ranked ninth in the NET — higher than most projected 3, 4 and 5 seeds — so why does ESPN still have the Gophers on the 6 line?

Feb 14, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies guard Courtland Muldrew (30) shoots the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

A foot injury prevented Jaylen Crocker-Johnson from playing Saturday night, and the Gophers, who were already severely shorthanded before his injury, couldn't quite keep up in a 69-57 road loss to Washington.

Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

Gophers Targeting Lithuanian Forward Who Won Freshman of the Year Award

Minnesota's Mara Braun Is Set to Return to Gophers for 5th Season

Gophers Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach J Robinson Dies

Minnesota's Season Ends as No. 1 UCLA Pulls Away in Sweet 16

Gophers Basketball

Can Gophers Bring 2025 Miss Basketball Jordan Ode Back Home?

Gophers Football

5 Under-the-Radar Players Who Could Raise the Gophers' Ceiling in 2026

Gophers Hockey

Mystery Candidate? No Contact With Ferschweiler? Latest Gophers Hockey Coach Buzz

Gophers Football

P.J. Fleck Bullish on Gophers, but Drake Lindsey’s Growth Is Key

Gophers Basketball

Gophers Offer Scholarship to Cretin-Derham Hall Freshman Guard

Gophers Football

Are the Gophers Being Overlooked Again? Oddsmakers Set Low Win Total

Gophers Hockey

Gophers Receive No. 4 Seed in NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament

Gophers Basketball

Here's the Gophers' Road to the Title in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Bracket

Michigan's Dusty May Heaps Praise on Minnesota, Niko Medved

Strategic or Scared? Why Minnesota May Never Play NDSU Under Fleck

Top-10 in NET, Still a No. 6 Seed: Why Are the Gophers So Undervalued?

Minnesota Falls at Washington Without Jaylen Crocker-Johnson