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.

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives to the basket as Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) blocks his way during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

As the transfer portal roars in college basketball, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are showing interest in University of Tennessee at Martin forward Matas Deniusas.

Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mara Braun (10) reacts to a call against the UCLA Bruins during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

After helping lead the Gophers to a Sweet 16 run in the women's NCAA Tournament, guard Mara Braun announced Wednesday that she will be back with the University of Minnesota for her redshirt senior season.

Gophers Recruiting

J Robinson, the legendary Minnesota Gophers wrestling coach, has died at the age of 80.

Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) shoots against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota was a massive underdog for good reasons Friday night in Sacramento, California, and the No. 1 UCLA Bruins were simply too good for the Gophers to pull an upset in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

Michigan State's Sara Sambolic, right, and Jordan Ode participate in women's basketball media day on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

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.

Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

The Encouraging and Daunting Facts of the Gophers’ 2026-27 Big Ten Schedule

Gophers Offer Scholarship to Adrian Peterson’s 8th-Grade Son

Gophers Fire Softball Coach Piper Ritter: 'The Program Has Taken a Step Back'

Gophers QB Drake Lindsey Arrested on Underage Drinking, Fake ID Charges

Gophers Basketball

Gophers Targeting Lithuanian Forward Who Won Freshman of the Year Award

Gophers Basketball

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

Gophers Recruiting

Gophers Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach J Robinson Dies

Gophers Basketball

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 Offer Scholarship to Cretin-Derham Hall Freshman Guard

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

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

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