Minnesota

Minnesota hosts conference rival Houston

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2024

Houston Rockets (23-25, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-15, second in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Sunday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota plays Houston in a matchup of Western Conference teams.

The Timberwolves are 23-8 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota is 13-4 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 14.2 turnovers per game.

The Rockets have gone 16-12 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is fourth in the Western Conference giving up just 112.3 points while holding opponents to 45.8% shooting.

The Timberwolves average 113.0 points per game, 0.7 more points than the 112.3 the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 12.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Timberwolves give up.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Timberwolves won 122-95 in the last matchup on Jan. 6. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 24 points, and Jalen Green led the Rockets with 20 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Edwards is averaging 25.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 26.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists over the past 10 games for Minnesota.

Alperen Sengun is scoring 21.7 points per game and averaging 9.3 rebounds for the Rockets. Cam Whitmore is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Houston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 112.4 points, 41.3 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 6.7 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points per game.

Rockets: 4-6, averaging 118.5 points, 46.8 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark: out (achilles).

Rockets: Tari Eason: out (leg), Steven Adams: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Minnesota

Gabriel Murphy NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Minnesota Vikings EDGE

Published

7 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Gabriel Murphy NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Minnesota Vikings EDGE

Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

— Impressive overall athlete who is quick, agile and has good change of direction, giving him the potential to be an effective pass-rusher in the NFL.

— Works to get on an edge when bull-rushing and has a nice swim move as a counter off the bull.

— Keeps his legs moving through contact as a pass-rusher and has a high motor to help get coverage sacks.

— Decent bend with a flexible lower half to help turn the corner at the top of the rush.

— Can use his quickness and athleticism to make offensive linemen miss against the run.

— Use of hands as a pass-rusher needs work. Drops his hands and doesn’t play the offensive tackle’s hands well, which is currently limiting his pass-rush arsenal.

— Needs to finish pass-rush moves with a more violent rip to get clean wins.

— Isn’t physical at the point of attack as a run defender. Lacks the strength to hold his ground against one-on-one blocks from good competition.

— Subpar block recognition, which can lead to him getting reached.

— 13 G, 38 TOT, 8 SK, 16 TFL, 2 PD

— 3-star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— Transferred to UCLA from North Texas ahead of the 2022 season

— Twin brother, Grayson, also is an edge-rusher for UCLA, UNT transfer and NFL draft prospect

Gabriel Murphy has the potential to develop into an effective third-down rusher in the NFL. His athleticism and bend are apparent on film, which helped him win in college and be an effective looper in line games.

However, he does need to improve his use of hands to develop a go-to move or two. Murphy currently struggles with the accuracy and timing of his initial chops to begin his moves, making it difficult for him to “defeat the hands and defeat the man.” But the movement skills are there for him to develop a nasty stick move and build on his overall arsenal.

Against the run, the UCLA product relies on his quickness and agility to make offensive linemen miss. That can work occasionally, but more athletic and patient offensive linemen will be able to stay in front of him and push him around. He even struggles to hold ground against good blocking tight ends and may never be a three-down player in the NFL.

Schematically, Murphy would be best as a standup outside linebacker who can contribute on passing downs.

GRADE: 6.4 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

PRO COMPARISON: Cameron Goode

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Minnesota

Anchorage Wolverines win 6-2 to take first-round series with Minnesota

Published

14 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Anchorage Wolverines win 6-2 to take first-round series with Minnesota

By Anchorage Daily News

Updated: 3 hours ago Published: 3 hours ago

The Anchorage Wolverines topped the Minnesota Wilderness 6-2 on Saturday to close out their opening-round series in the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup Playoffs.

After taking the first two games at home, the Wolverines were bested 4-1 by Minnesota on the road Friday. But Saturday’s victory vaulted Anchorage to a 3-1 win in the best-of-five series.

The Wolverines move on to face the Wisconsin Windigo in the Midwest Division Finals.

On Saturday, Anchorage scored two goals in each period, getting scoring from five different players. Cole Christian and Danny Bagnole scored in the first period, where Anchorage held a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, Minnesota struck five minutes into the period to tie it at 2-2. But Camden Shasby and Trenton Powell both found the back of the net as the Wolverines led 4-2 entering the third period.

Taisetsu Ushio and Powell added third-period goals for the Wolverines. Anchorage’s Liam Beerman made 27 saves for the win. Anchorage, which won the Midwest Division, will have the home-ice advantage in the Division Finals.

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Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agency Tracker

Published

21 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agency Tracker

UPDATE: UCLA edge defender Gabriel Murphy will be signing with the Vikings as a UDFA, per Zenitz.

Former UCLA star EDGE Gabriel Murphy is expected to sign with the Minnesota #Vikings, a source tells @247Sports.
Had eight sacks last season.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 27, 2024

UPDATE: Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern is signing with the Vikings, per Zenitz.

UPDATE: Arizona defensive lineman Tyler Manoa is on his way to Minnesota, per Matt Zenitz of 24/7 Sports

Former Arizona defensive lineman Tyler Manoa is expected to sign with the Minnesota #Vikings, a source tells @247Sports.
Had 28 tackles last season.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 27, 2024

UPDATE: It appears that Air Force linebacker Bo Richter is the first UDFA in the books for the Vikings!

Bo Richter to #Vikings with P5 guarantee per a league source Air Force linebacker
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 27, 2024
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We’ll keep putting updates at the top of the piece so you won’t have to scroll too far. Original story below the line here.

Barring what would be a really weird trade back into the selection meeting, the 2024 NFL Draft is officially in the books for the Minnesota Vikings, but things aren’t completely over yet! The end of the Draft means the end of the undrafted free agent signing frenzy and the opportunity for our favorite football team to fill out their 90-man roster.

With the players they drafted, the Vikings have room on their roster for 17 new undrafted free agents, so the rumors will likely be flying fast and furious with names that will be connected to the purple.

Over the years, the Vikings have had a lot of significant undrafted free agents, including a Pro Football Hall of Famer in John Randle. We’ve also seen players like Adam Thielen, Marcus Sherels, and, most recently, Ivan Pace Jr. go from undrafted to playing a big-time role with the Vikings.

An important thing to keep in mind is the fact that the undrafted free agency signings will not be official until tomorrow. Right now, these are all just rumors and speculation until the Vikings release their official UDFA list tomorrow.

We’ll do our best to keep things updated here with the latest undrafted free agent news, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you to all of you who have gotten your 2024 NFL Draft news this year right here at The Daily Norseman!

Check out DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.

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