Minnesota loves the TV timeout. Those mandated breaks help a depleted Gophers squad stay competitive

The first season for Minnesota under coach Niko Medved has become an iron man event, with injuries depleting the roster and forcing most of the current starters to be ready to play the entire game. The stipulations in the Big Ten's media contracts have benefited the basketball program beyond the annual revenue of more than $60 million that goes to the athletic department. The Gophers badly need those TV timeouts, too.

By DAVE CAMPBELL