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.

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

The Gophers deserve more respect and a higher seed in Charlie Creme's bracket.

Minnesota defeated Iowa 91-85 Thursday night.

Gophers Basketball

One night after the Gophers men's basketball team upset the No. 10 team in the country, the Minnesota women's team did the same by winning on the road against No. 10 Iowa.

Gophers wing Tori McKinney drives against Purdue.

Gophers Basketball

The Golden Gophers women's basketball team throttled Purdue 88-55 Sunday afternoon, improving to 16-6 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten.

Feb 1, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Kayden Mingo (4) drives the ball towards the basket during the first half Minnesota Golden Gophers at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Make it seven consecutive losses for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team, who lost a heartbreaker 77-75 at Penn State on Sunday afternoon.

Minnesota head coach Niko Medved is shown during the first half of their game against Wisconsin Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Gophers Basketball

The Gophers have lost 11 games this season, but at least four of them could've easily gone the other way. Hindsight is 20:20, but that's how close Niko Medved has the shorthanded and undersized Gophers in his first season at the University of Minnesota.

Moorhead quarterback Jett Feeney with Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck and offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr.

Gophers Football

Jett Feeney has been on Minnesota's recruiting radar for more than a year, and on Tuesday, the Gophers offered the Moorhead High School quarterback a scholarship offer.

Minnetonka quarterback Caden Gutzmer during a visit to Arizona State.

Gophers Football

A name to monitor in the 2027 recruiting class is Minnetonka High School quarterback Cade Gutzmer.

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Niko Medved and assistant coaches react during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Of the 18 teams in the Big Ten, the men's basketball head coaching job at the University of Minnesota is thought of as one of the worst in the conference. That's according to an anonymous survey of Big Ten coaches that was conducted by The Field of 68.

Jan 13, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Braeden Carrington was booed every time he touched the ball Tuesday night in Minneapolis, but the former Gopher got his revenge by sinking seven three-pointers and scoring 21 points as Wisconsin beat Minnesota 78-75 in a thriller.

Dec 10, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Niko Medved looks up at the video board during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

On the back of five straight wins, including an upset over No. 19 Iowa on Tuesday night, the Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team has made a significant jump in the NCAA NET rankings.

Now-former Purdue running back Jaron Thomas.

Gophers Football

Thomas, from Concord High School in Indiana, was a three-star recruit as a prep star in 2024, and he had only two carries as a true freshman in 2025.

Sep 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) looks on after the game against the Colorado Buffaloes after the game at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

Matt Simon has been with the Gophers since 2017. The fresh faces joining P.J. Fleck's staff are former Minnesota stars Mohamed Ibrahim and Isaac Fruechte.

Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

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

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota Could Be the Most Disrespected Team in Women's Basketball

Gophers Basketball

Surging Minnesota Lights Up No. 10 Iowa For Best Win of the Season

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota Hammers Purdue by 33 to Set Up Big Border Battle at Iowa

Gophers Basketball

Gophers Heartbroken Again as Penn State Wins on Last-Second Shot

Gophers Basketball

Despite the Losses, What Niko Medved Is Doing With Minnesota Is Remarkable

Gophers Football

Gophers Offer Moorhead QB Jett Feeney of Famed Feeney Football Family

Gophers Football

Will the Gophers Follow Miami and Offer Minnetonka QB a Scholarship?

Gophers Basketball

Big Ten Coaches Think Minnesota Is One of the Worst Jobs in the Conference

Braeden Carrington answered Minnesota boos with threes and postgame words

Gophers making dramatic climb up the important NET rankings

Purdue running back with 4 years of eligibility reportedly signs with Gophers

Gophers fire co-offensive coordinator Matt Simon, add 2 former stars to coaching staff