Which local team will top the polls in 2020?

November 9, 2016 at 5:42AM
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - November 6, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, US Bank Stadium, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has a billion-dollar stadium and quality young players — but where will the chips fall by 2020? (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The election is over, but … we ask you to consider one more ballot and cast your vote on this Minnesota sports issue: Which team do you believe will be Minnesota's best when the next presidential election rolls around in 2020?

Here's a ballot of teams, listed with what each outfit can to build on.

Got one more vote in ya?

Gophers football: The Gophers are 7-2 in Tracy Claeys' first full season as head coach but aren't ranked. They have two big games remaining on the schedule against ranked opponents Nebraska and Wisconsin. These games likely will tell a lot about the direction of the program and Claeys' future in Minnesota.

Gophers men's basketball: The program has endured one scandal after the other over the past year and won just eight games, two in the Big Ten, last season. Coach Richard Pitino's job security was debated, but he has survived the storm and is hoping this year's new talent, led by local product Amir Coffey, can help the program turn the corner.

Lynx: The Lynx still have one of the best coaches in the game in Cheryl Reeve and one of the best rosters with veteran stars Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles. However, the team will face the same questions it has the past few years: How much longer can they keep this group together, and when will their age catch up to them?

Timberwolves: The Wolves hired experienced coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden this offseason. They are built around two former No. 1 draft picks and former Rookie of the Year recipients Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Their supporting cast includes up-and-comers Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. Target Center is under renovation. Most of the necessary pieces to transform this franchise have been put into place and if this core can stay together, the future should be bright.

Twins: The Twins restructured their front office this fall after firing longtime general manager Terry Ryan. They brought in 33-year-old rising star Derek Falvey to oversee all baseball operations and 44-year-old Thad Levine as the new general manager. They'll give Paul Molitor at least another season, his third, to help turn around the franchise that has quality young position players but lacks pitching depth.

Vikings: The Vikings have continued to build around Mike Zimmer and quality young players. They also have a new $1 billion stadium to help inspire them. They started the 2016 season 5-0 and established themselves as Super Bowl contenders, but a recent three-game losing streak might argue the franchise still has some bugs it needs to work out.

Wild: Bruce Boudreau, the veteran coach with a winning track record, now has the job to get the Wild into the conference finals and eventually the Stanley Cup Finals. The roster is still built with veteran stars, but how the young talent develops will play a big role in the team's success.

United: The franchise will get a new stadium. The $150 million venue that will be located in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood should attract some of the top talent around the league and more fans. The success of the team could depend on what ownership chooses to invest in the on-field talent.

Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns (32). ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - November 3, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, Target Center, NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
The Wolves’ future should be bright if the team can keep its promising young core together. That includes former No. 1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer yelled at officials in the second quarter. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota Vikings faced the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2016 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was yelling plenty Sunday, but might be much happier in the future ... say 2020? (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Jason Gonzalez

Reporter

See More

More from Sports

card image

Center Dawson Garcia played despite a groin injury, and starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and four others were absent for the Gophers. Among the results: a 14-point first half.

card image
card image