Minnesota

Instant reaction | Illinois 73, Minnesota 68

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

Instant reaction | Illinois 73, Minnesota 68

WHAT HAPPENED

Illinois found a way after a series of close losses this season. And did so after an 11-point halftime deficit. Makira Cook was really good throughout. But Genesis Bryant took over in the fourth quarter with 12 points in the final period. That Camille Hobby also delivered nine points in the fourth quarter, as well, with the high-low game working to great effect helped the Illini produce a key 73-68 win before 4,788 fans on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center.

WHAT IT MEANS

It’s the win of the season for Illinois. One of the Quad II variety for the Illini, too, with Minnesota entering Sunday with a NET ranking of 35 as a potential NCAA tournament team in Dawn Plitzuweit‘s first season in Minneapolis. More importantly for Illinois (9-10, 3-6 Big Ten) it was significant from the standpoint the Illini had lost eight of their 10 games this winter by a combined margin of 44 points. Illinois was the more poised team when it counted on Sunday, however.

WHAT’S NEXT

A rematch with Michigan. The first game in Champaign was the Illini’s worst performance of the Green era, as the Wolverines made quite the statement with an 84-48 rout of Illinois in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Dec. 10. The Illini head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan (14-7, 5-4) ahead of a 6 p.m. Wednesday tip at the Crisler Center. The Wolverines have had an up and down month of January, which included a 82-61 loss at Michigan State on Saturday afternoon.

WHAT WAS SAID

“Just really proud of these guys and the resiliency we’ve shown in this game and really in the past month or so. This is a really good Minnesota team. A really good team with a lot of weapons. … We have been talking about finishing and really just saying, ‘We’re going to win this game.’ These guys did that and they had the confidence and they had the execution and they had the effort, and it was really a fun thing to watch. … This was a really critical game for us.” — Illinois coach Shauna Green

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Minnesota

Man, 29, drowns in northern Minnesota lake

Published

5 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Man, 29, drowns in northern Minnesota lake

WCCO Staff

May 31, 2026 / 12:40 PM CDT
/ CBS Minnesota

A 29-year-old man drowned at a lake in northern Minnesota on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office said the man drowned at the swimming area at Little Emily Lake Park. The man was at the park with family and friends at the time.

First responders arrived at the scene to try and rescue him, but he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.

Little Emily Lake is about 40 miles north of Brainerd.

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Minnesota

Kendall Qualls wins GOP endorsement for governor

Published

15 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Kendall Qualls wins GOP endorsement for governor

DULUTH – Army veteran and former health care executive Kendall Qualls won the endorsement for governor from Republican activists gathered for the GOP state convention Saturday, beating House Speaker Lisa Demuth after 10 rounds of voting. If nominated, he’ll be the first Black major party candidate for governor in state history. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar […]

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Minnesota

If Nolan Teasley is the “primary football executive” in Minnesota, Seahawks will get compensatory picks

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2026

Press Room

If Nolan Teasley is the “primary football executive” in Minnesota, Seahawks will get compensatory picks

The hiring of Seahawks assistant G.M. Nolan Teasley as the Vikings’ new G.M. will carry a specific benefit for his former team.

Per the league, Teasley qualifies as a diverse candidate under the NFL provision that gives the former team of a newly-hired G.M. or head coach a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks.

The only question is whether Teasley will be Minnesota’s “primary football executive.” That requirement prevented the Bears from receiving the compensatory draft picks when assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham was hired to be the Falcons G.M. The league decided that president of football Matt Ryan is the “primary football executive” in Atlanta.

The Bears appealed the decision to the league, and Bears fans continue to be mystified by the outcome — especially since Ryan has made it clear that Cunningham is a General Manager “in every facet of the word.”

Minnesota has no similar position to Ryan’s job with the Falcons. The only alternative to Teasley would be coach Kevin O’Connell. But there has been no indication that, moving forward, O’Connell will emerge as the top football executive for the Vikings, with full control over the roster and the draft.

The NFL’s full collection of diversity of initiatives have recently come under attack by Florida’s attorney general. The Seahawks getting two extra third-round draft picks undoubtedly will spark a reaction from those who, in the current climate, attack efforts aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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