January Game of the Day

*Subject to change as things evolve. Top half dozen games in boldface.

Tues., Jan. 1--New Year off to unhappy start. No Minnesota basketball games!

Wed., Jan. 2--#2AAAA Eastview girls at #3AAAA Bloomington Kennedy. Ah, now that's a Happy New Year.

Thurs., Jan. 3--Minnesota Gopher women at Michigan State. Like the men, the women open the Big 10 season versus MSU, but on the road. Spartans have the Big 10's best non-conference record at 12-1.

Fri., Jan. 4--#6AA Caledonia girls at #8AA Dover-Eyota. Both are 11-0.

Sat., Jan. 5--Augsburg men at St. Thomas. Both are unbeaten in the MIAC, 1st place is on the line. I know that the Timberwolves Shootout is today with games at 9, 11, 1 and 3 where you'll get to see Matt Thomas of Onalaska, WI; Anders Broman, Rashad Vaughan and Tyus Jones. But I just can't not bite on the final match-up of unbeatens in the MIAC. Call me crazy.

Sun., Jan. 6--Northwestern men at Minnesota Gopher men; Minnesota Gopher women at Wisconsin. Your pick.

Mon., Jan. 7--St. Mary's women at Concordia (Moorhead), and Gustavus women at Macalester. MIAC early leaders (#1, 3, 4, 6) square off.

Tues., Jan. 8--Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves. T-Wolves hope to be getting it together against 1 of the NBA's surprise stories.

Wed., Jan. 9--St. Thomas women at Gustavus. Both unbeaten in the MIAC, 1st place on the line (pending intervening games).

Thurs., Jan. 10--Ohio State women at Minnesota Gophers. Gopher women open Big 10 home season vs. old friend Tayler Hill.

Fri., Jan. 11--#7AA Staples-Motley girls at #3AA Sauk Centre.

Sat., Jan. 12--Minnesota Gopher men at Indiana. Hoosiers recently rated #1 until upset loss to Butler.

Sun., Jan. 13--Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs. Tough way to celebrate the 13th day of the 13th year.

Mon., Jan. 14--Carleton men at Gustavus.

Tues., Jan. 15--Mankato State men and women at Concordia (St. Paul), doubleheader. But the women especially are 13-5 between 'em.

Wed., Jan. 16--St. Thomas women at Macalester. For supremacy of St. Paul south of I-94.

Thurs., Jan. 17--#2 Michigan Wolverines men at #9 Minnesota Gophers. 

Fri., Jan. 18--Mankato State at St. Cloud State, women's and men's doubleheader. The best rivalry among Minnesota small schools is on again, and as of 1-1 all 4 teams are 4-1 in the conference.

Sat., Jan. 19--#3A Maranatha girls at #1A Mountain Iron-Buhl. A replay of last year's state Class A final.

Sun., Jan. 20--Nebraska Cornhuskers women at Minnesota Gophers.

Mon., Jan. 21--St. Thomas men and women at Concordia (Moorhead). Great doubleheader, the 4 teams are 15-3 in the MIAC as of 1-1.

Tues., Jan. 22--#1AA Providence girls at #3AAA DeLaSalle.

Wed., Jan. 23--Minnesota Gopher men at Northwestern.

Thurs., Jan. 24--Minnesota Gopher women at #9/10 Penn State.

Fri., Jan. 25--#4AAA New Prague girls at #3AAA Chaska.

Sat., Jan. 26--Eden Prairie boys and girls at DeLaSalle. Let's play 2! So let me see, that's the #6AAAA boys versus #1AAA, and the #2AAA girls versus unrated (in the MN Basketball News poll) Eden Prairie but the Eagles are #7AAAA in the QRF ratings at >.

Sun., Jan. 27--Bummer. No games. Good thing we got 2 in yesterday.

Mon., Jan. 28--Illinois women at Minnesota Gophers. Gophers will need this one after playing 4 of 1st 6 on the road, including highly rated Michigan State, Purdue and Penn State.

Tues., Jan. 29--#1AAA Fergus Falls girls at #7AA Staples-Motley.

Wed., Jan. 30--L.A. Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves.

Thurs., Jan. 31--#2A Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa boys at #6AA Melrose.