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The Players Who Can Help The Minnesota Lynx Salvage Their Season

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2 years ago

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The Players Who Can Help The Minnesota Lynx Salvage Their Season


After a loss final week to the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve lamented her group’s offensive manufacturing — simply 32.8 p.c from the sphere general and 3-for-22 from 3-point vary. She famous that, in a sport simply days earlier, Minnesota had overwhelmed the Liberty by taking pictures 49.2 p.c.

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So I requested her: Is that the pathway to relevance for this Lynx group?

“Outscore folks? Yeah, that’s not gonna occur,” Reeve replied along with her signature bluntness. “That’s not gonna occur. I’ve had groups the place you might go, ‘You realize what? Let’s go and outscore folks and doubtless may win. However this isn’t that group.”

And therein lies the two-fold problem to resolve for Reeve and the Lynx, now at 3-11 and in peril of lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2010. There are offensive inquiries to reply, however they can not come on the expense of a protection that’s underperforming each group within the Reeve period.

We should always begin by stating the apparent: The Lynx are attempting to win this yr with out Napheesa Collier, who recently gave birth to 2044 WNBA lottery decide Mila Sarah Bazzell. Collier is a large loss for the Lynx. We wouldn’t ask why the Aces have been struggling if A’ja Wilson missed time, and few questioned why the 2020 Solar didn’t carry out nicely within the common season with out Jonquel Jones. In some way, the dialog within the WNBA nonetheless doesn’t absolutely acknowledge the extent Collier has reached, however win shares positive does — Collier is fourth amongst all WNBA gamers within the worth stat from 2019-21, and virtually half of that worth was amassed on the defensive entrance. Lacking her has uncovered enormous holes on each ends of the ground for Minnesota.

And the Lynx suffered an enormous blow final week when Sylvia Fowles — the perfect 5 within the historical past of the sport — was declared out indefinitely with a cartilage damage in her proper knee. Fowles is retiring after this season, so it’s potential that we’ve seen the final of the profession rebounding chief and franchise linchpin. Kayla McBride, the group’s beginning taking pictures guard and greatest perimeter defender, additionally missed Sunday’s sport resulting from damage. A shorthand mind-set about this: The Lynx had three of the highest 11 WNBA gamers in win shares final season, and none is at present out there.

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So the place do the Lynx go from right here? Their options have been a mixture of in-house enhancements, reversion to the norm and a few savvy pickups.

Let’s begin with the group’s level guard resolution, Rachel Banham. The Minnesota native and Golden Gopher legend really performed fairly a little bit of level in school, with an help share as excessive as 32.4 in a season, however her professional profession with the Connecticut Solar and now the Lynx has sometimes been spent off the ball. That modified this offseason when the Lynx re-signed Banham with the intention of creating her primarily a degree guard, a problem she embraced.

“Simply attempting to play assured, attempting to be actually assertive,” Banham mentioned of her method, standing subsequent to the Barclays Heart court docket previous to the June 7 sport. “And simply make selections. Don’t overthink it, as a result of that’s after I began to show it over.”

Banham is doing simply that, with an help share this season thus far of 27.3, simply a profession excessive, and a turnover price all the way down to 13.4. To place that degree of playmaking effectivity into context: There are 17 guards within the league (plus Candace Parker and Alyssa Thomas, due to course) with 100 minutes performed and an help share of 25 or greater. Banham’s turnover price is the perfect of these 19. 

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Banham’s shut pal and teammate Bridget Carleton mentioned the 2 had mentioned this transition fairly a bit. “She simply provides that development to our offense of scoring on the level guard,” Carleton mentioned of Banham. “And he or she likes it when she’s locked right into a place. She is aware of she’s gonna play level guard, she’s comfy with it, and she will be able to deal with it.”

What’s prone to change on Banham’s half isn’t the power to search out folks and restrict errors — she’s really getting higher at that because the season goes on, with a 9-to-4 assist-to-turnover ratio within the first six video games, 26-to-9 during the last eight — however moderately her taking pictures percentages. Banham is at simply 34.6 p.c from the sphere general, 29.8 from three. It’s her taking pictures that acquired her into the league within the first place, in fact. I’ll simply go away you with this spotlight video of Banham taking pictures and allow you to resolve in the event you assume these numbers will discover a course correction. 

Notably, Banham can also be the participant with the perfect defensive internet score amongst Minnesota rotation regulars, one thing that additionally cuts towards her repute. Shut behind her is Carleton, whose course correction is much less about taking pictures higher than taking pictures extra typically.

“I would really like extra scoring,” Reeve mentioned of Carleton, chuckling. “Sure. We’d like extra scoring. BC’s a wise participant, so she’s not going to play outdoors of herself, which we respect. I would really like her to be aggressive.”

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Notably, within the June 5 win over the Liberty, Carleton managed the second-highest plus-minus score of any Lynx participant, behind solely Banham, regardless of taking part in simply 13 minutes and with out taking a shot. Three rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot will do this for you.

“There’s other ways to affect a sport in addition to scoring, and I’ll take worth in that,” Carleton mentioned. “I take satisfaction in that. I maintain the ball as a lot as I can and I play good protection. And with the ability to be versatile and guard a number of positions — I believe that provides worth on the court docket, and I’m glad Cheryl acknowledges that.”

It’s not as if Carleton can not rating, both — she shot 52 p.c from the sphere, and north of 45 p.c from three, again in 2020. So it’s only a query of alternative.

Then there’s the pickup of Moriah Jefferson, waived by the Dallas Wings however now taking full benefit of a full workload she’s sought since getting into the league again in 2016. Accidents performed a component, no query, however the Wings had been hesitant to make use of her the best way Reeve has. In Minnesota, Jefferson is averaging half-hour per sport whereas sustaining her taking pictures effectivity — a 48.7 efficient field-goal share — and an help share at almost 30, giving the Lynx a number of seems to be within the backcourt and quite a few two-point guard units with Banham.

“For me, it’s nearly entering into the within — I get into the paint,” Jefferson mentioned of her affect on the offensive finish. “I kick it after that occurs. All the pieces else opens up my teammates.”

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Between these three, the dramatic enchancment from Jessica Shepard ending on the rim and Aerial Powers’s return to type — 24.6 p.c from the sphere and eight factors per sport in her first 5 video games, 38.6 p.c from the sphere and 15.9 factors per sport in her 9 since — the offense is rounding into type.

It’s that protection that should get higher. Simply final yr, the Lynx have been fourth within the WNBA in defensive score. The final time they have been decrease than sixth was 2010 — the final time they missed the playoffs. Proper now, they sit in tenth.

“It takes a degree of psychological toughness, bodily toughness,” Reeve mentioned. “You realize, [the Liberty] have been beating us to free balls. That’s at all times a narrative. You realize, they beat us, the first-half deflections, they’d 16. We had simply 9. That tells the story.”

The Lynx have two-thirds of a season to vary that story — maybe even with Collier, who needs to play in 2022. And in the event that they don’t? Effectively, final time Reeve and the Lynx missed the playoffs, the lottery odds went their means and so they acquired the highest decide, deciding on Maya Moore within the 2011 WNBA draft.

This time round? As one WNBA expertise evaluator put it, “It could be identical to Minnesota to overlook the playoffs and get Aliyah Boston to interchange Sylvia Fowles.” Boston, in fact, was the perfect defensive participant (and greatest general participant) in girls’s school basketball final season.

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Minnesota Politicians Form Presidential Recommendations Committee

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5 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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Minnesota Politicians Form Presidential Recommendations Committee


WASHINTON D.C. (WJON News) — Four Minnesota politicians have formed a committee to recommend candidates to President Donald Trump.

Congressmen Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, Brad Finstad, and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach announced the formation of the committee to help recommend candidates for U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal, and other vacancies that may come up in Minnesota.

Stefan Zaklin, Getty Images

The lawmakers say the committee’s members are some of the sharpest legal minds in Minnesota and they have a wealth of experience and expertise. The committee will be chaired by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Barry Anderson. The full committee will be:

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Barry Anderson (Chair), former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
David Asp, Partner at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
John Hinderaker, President of the Center of the American Experiment
Allie Howell, Trial, and Appellate Counsel at the Upper Midwest Law Center
Tad Jude, a former judge in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District

Anna Rose Layden, Getty Images





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Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Game Day Preview

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14 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Game Day Preview


Minnesota Vikings (8-2) at Chicago Bears (4-6)

Kickoff: Noon, Sunday

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago

TV: Fox (Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin)

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Radio: ESPN AM-1000 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Jason McKie)

Spanish Radio: Latino Mix 93.5 FM (Omar Ramos, Miguel Esparza)

The Line: Vikings by 3 1/2, over/under 39 1/2 (Fan Duel).

Chicago Bears On SI Pick: Vikings 23, Bears 8

The Series: The teams meet for the 126th time. The Vikings hold a 66-58-2 series lead. The Bears have lost five of the last six even though they won the last game 12-10 at Minnesota. They are 33-27-2 at home in the series.

The Coaches: Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell owns a 28-17 record in his third season. He is 3-1 against the Bears and 14-8 on the road overall.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus owns a 14-30 record in his third season and a 1-3 mark against Minnesota. The Bears have an 11-12 record in home games under Eberflus.

The Teams: The Bears come off their second walk-off shocker of the season, losing to Green Bay on a blocked Cairo Santos 46-yard field goal try, 20-19, for their fourth straight defeat. They now try to stop Minnesota (8-2), a team surging in second in the NFC North with a three-game winning streak behind QB Sam Darnold and WR Justin Jefferson. They just beat Tennesee 23-13. It’s Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams trying to handle the blitzing scheme of Vikings coordinator Brian Flores and the potent Vikings offense attack a Bears defense reeling a bit after allowing Green Bay’s go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter last week.   

Stat Leaders:  Vikings QB Sam Darnold is 199 of 293 (67.9%) with 2,387 yards, 19 TDs and 10 interceptions for a passer rating of 100.0. The Vikings are led in rushing by RB Aaron Jones, the former Packers back, with 692 yards on 157 carries (4.4 yards per carry) and two TDs. WR Justin Jefferson leads the Vikings in catches (59), receiving yards (912) and TDs (5).  …  LB Ivan Pace leads the Vikings defense in tackles with 59 while OLB Andrew Van Ginkel leads in tackles for loss with a league-high 13 and in sacks with 8.0. S Camryn Bynum has a team-high three interceptions.

For the Bear, QB Caleb Williams is 201 for 325 (61.8%) with nine TDs and five interceptions for a passer rating of 82.5. D’Andre Swift leads the Bears in rushing with 635 yards on 155 atempts and his five rushing TDs is tied with Roschon Johnson for the team lead. WR DJ Moore leads the Bears in receptions with 47 and is tied with Cole Kmet for TD receptions with three. WR Rome Odunze leads in receiving yards with 479. … LB TJ Edwards leads in tackles with 78 and is tied with Montez Sweat for the lead in tackles for loss with five. Gervon Dexter leads in sacks with 4.0 while CB Jaylon Johnson has the lead in interceptions with two.

Injury Report: For the Vikings, TE Josh Oliver (wrist) is out. DL Gabriel Murphy (knee) and TE Nick Muse (hand) are questionable.

For the Bears, G Ryan Bates (concussion) and S Elijah Hicks (ankle) are out. WR Keenan Allen (ankle), T Kiran Amegadjie (calf) and RB D’Andre Swift (groin) are questionable.

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Matching Up: The Vikings are 15th on offense, 13th in passing and 19th in rushing. They are 10th in scoring. Minnesota’s defense is ranked 10th, 28th against the pass and first against the run. They are fourth in points allowed.

The Bears are 29th on offense, 30th passing and 22nd at rushing. They are 22nd in points scored. Chicago’s defense ranks 14th overall, ninth against the pass and 23rd against the run. They are seventh in points allowed.

Of Note:  Williams has not thrown an interception in 146 attempts. … Williams has been sacked a league-high total of 41 times and the Vikings are third in sacks with 35. … The Bears rank No. 1 in red zone defense (40.6%). … Minnesota is plus-4 in turnover differential and the Bears plus-9, but the Vikings are 24-2 under O’Connell in games when they win or are even in turnovers. … Darnold’s total of 19 TD passes is a career high. …  The Bears are 3-1 when they lead at halftime and 1-5 when they trail at halftime. … Matt Eberflus has a 2-8 record for his career in replay challenges including 0-3 this season. …  Opponents have scored first in every single Bears game. … The Bears will have their starting offensive line intact for the first time since Oct. 27 against Washington. They had played together five straight games at that point. … The Vikings defense has two TD returns on interceptions (Van Ginkel) and one fumble return for a TD. … Minnesota is 8-0 this season when it outrushes the opponent. … Darnold is tied for second in passes of 25 yards or more with 24, trailing only Brock Purdy. … Jefferson leads the NFL with 17 catches of 20 yards or more.

BEARS AND VIKINGS FANTASY FOOTBALL FAVORITES AND NFL WEEK 12 PICKS

BEARS AND VIKINGS: WHO WINS AND WHY

REPORT: NO APOLOGY FOR BEARS FROM LEAGUE ON PACKER’ LEGAL BLOCKED KICK

DID JAYLON JOHNSON GET ENOUGH RESPECT FROM JUSTIN JEFFERSON?

Key Individual Matchups

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson vs. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

There can be little doubt the Bears will put Johnson on Jefferson as much as possible. Johnson has a 65.3 passer rating against and has allowed 57.1% completions (20 of 35) when targeted. He has two interceptions and has allowed no TD passes this year, and three over the last three years after he gave up 10 his first two seasons.  Jefferson has had 81 receiving yards or more in eight games but his yards per game of 91.2 is the lowest it’s been since his rookie season. When targeting Jefferson, QBs have an impressive passer rating of 103.4, but it’s the lowest passer rating when targeted of his career. 

Bears DE Montez Sweat vs. Vikings RT Brian O’Neill

O’Neill has given up one sack this season and is graded the eight-best tackle out of 77 Pro Football Focus rates. He’s rated the eighth best pass blocker and 13th best run blocker among tackles on either side and has been flagged for four penalties, twice for holding, once for a false start and once for illegal formation.  Sweat has been having a difficult time registering sacks since the month of November. He still has 3 ½ sacks and made them all over the course of four straight games.   He has 14 pressures according to Stathead/Pro Football Reference and is well off the pace of last year when he had 40 for the season.

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Bears WR DJ Moore vs. Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore

The 34-year-old, 13-year veteran cornerback for Minnesota is a five-time Pro Bowl player and former defensive player of the year with the Patriots. He is with his sixth team and fifth in five seasons and is posting a solid 85.7 passer rating against with 61.7% completions allowed. He has given up two TDs. Moore is coming off his best game in terms of catches since Week 3 at Indianapolis. He had seven catches for 62 yards, is at 47 catches on 73 targets (64.4%) but is at a career low for average yardage (9.8 per catch). He came into the season averaging more than 14 yards a catch.  

Bears DT Gervon Dexter vs. Vikings LG Blake Brandel

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Brandel is graded 48th of 77 guards by PFF and wasn’t necessarily the intended starter. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder has been a better pass blocker than run blocker. He’s graded 45th as a run blocker, 34th as a pass blocker. He might not have been starting but Dalton Risner suffered a back injury in training camp and was on IR until early November. Dexter’s ranking as one of the best defensive tackles in pass rush win rate has declined now and he’s 20th after spending most of the season in the top 10. He has gone five straight games without a sack, although he has already broken his rookie mark for QB hits with 14 and tied his rookie mark of 17 pressures. Dexter, who is supposed to be a disruptor in this scheme as a 3-technique, hasn’t had a tackle for loss since the Sept. 29 win over the Rams  and has just three on the year. He replaced Justin Jones this year after the free agent had 22 TFLs in two seasons.

Bears RT Darnell Wright vs. Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel

The 6-4, 242-pound Van Ginkel won’t necessarily rush off the Bears’ right edge all the time. They move him around almost as a wild-card rusher. Sometimes he lines up on the edge and stunts to the middle. He’s always applying pressure from different positions, much the way the Packers did with Clay Matthews. However, it’s usually a starting point over Wright. Van Ginkel’s speed and knowledge of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitzing system make him dangerous, and he has eight sacks with two interceptions. Both went for TD returns.  Wright   is graded 25th best tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus, but as been a better run blocker than pass blocker. He is ninth in run block win rate among all tackles according to ESPN.

Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds vs. Vikings TE TJ Hockenson

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The problem with trying to shut down Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison with zones, like the Bears use, is it often leaves the middle linebacker trying to cover a wider area and the tight end can be open. Edmunds has gradually slid down the linebacker ranking charts after a fast start and is 66th on PFF’s grading out of 82 linebackers.  By Stathead stats, he is having a very solid year defending the pass with a 65.1 passer rating against, very low for a linebacker. He’s been generally less effective against the run. Hockensen will be in his fourth game post-knee surgery and appears ready to make strides. He’ll get used in the seams and underneath the coverage. He has 13 catches for 112 yards in three games. Tight ends have hit the Bears pass defense with some bigger numbers this year, so expect he’ll get looks.

-Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

-If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER

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NCAA Division II and III football playoffs: Minnesota State Mankato stuns Augustana in final minutes

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22 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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NCAA Division II and III football playoffs: Minnesota State Mankato stuns Augustana in final minutes


Matthew Jaeger kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired as Minnesota State Mankato scored 10 points in the final three minutes to rally for a 20-19 victory over Augustana on Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D., in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Mavericks had lost to NSIC rival Augustana three times in the past two seasons. It looked glum again Saturday as the Vikings took a 19-10 lead with 3 minutes, 11 seconds remaining on Jake Pecina’s fourth field goal of the game.

Minnesota State started its next possession at its 12-yard line but drove 88 yards in seven plays, capped by Grant Guyett’s 33-yard TD catch from Hayden Ekern and Jaeger’s PAT to pull within 19-17 with 1:35 to play.

The Mavericks’ Lorenzo Jones then recovered an onside kick near midfield. On third-and-4 from the Vikings 39-yard line, Ekern ran 16 yards for a first down at the Vikings 23 with 21 seconds to go. The Mavericks reached the 17-yard line before Jaeger’s final kick.

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Ekern passed for 175 yards and two TDs for the Mavericks, who lost to Augustana 34-16 on Oct. 26 in Mankato.

Richard Agyekum and Joey Goettl each had interceptions which led to 10 points for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks (9-3) will play at Colorado State Pueblo, which had a first-round bye, next week.

Bemidji State 24, Angelo State 14: Connor Carver’s 59-yard TD run with just over two minutes remaining and Isaiah John’s interception with 51 seconds remaining helped the Beavers earn a first-round victory in San Angelo, Texas.



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