Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson said Friday his players should not concern themselves with his uncertain job status.

“That’s something that they don’t need to think about,” Johnson told reporters. “Any player with any coach, any outside or undo pressure is not fair to them. That’s not their job or their worry or their concern. I just want them to focus on beings positive and as energetic and as enthusiastic and as competitive as they can be.”

As an eight-point road underdog, the Gophers didn’t roll over Saturday and took a 19-point lead five minutes into the second half. They tightened up down the stretch but held on for a 67-65 win Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

Up 64-63 with 18 seconds left, Minnesota had a shot clock violation and Nebraska’s Juwan Gray’s put-back gave them a one-point lead.

But Brennan Rigsby’s 3-pointer from the wing and Huskers’ Andrew Morgan’s heave was off the mark to seal the win.

Coming off the bench, Rigsby finished with a career-high 20 points, including 5 of 6 from deep. Rigsby, who had a combined three points in his previous four appearances, was a spark off the bench early, akin to when he scored 14 in the road win at Penn State on Feb. 3.

The Gophers (15-14, 7-11 Big Ten) snapped a 10-game losing streak at Nebraska since 2012, including 0-9 since the Cornhuskers’ new arena opened in 2013.

Nebraska (17-12, 7-11) suffered a huge blow to their NCAA Tournament chances.

Minnesota also continues to puzzle. After losing Penn State and Northwestern at home in the last week, the U improved to 5-4 in Big Ten road games.

Rigsby’s trey from the left corner gave Minnesota a 62-57 lead with 2:12 remaining. On the preceding defensive play, Dawson Garcia appeared to roll his ankle and didn’t finish the game.

The Gophers led 35-26 at the half despite Garcia being scoreless. Brennan Rigsby (11 points), Femi Odukale (eight), Lu’Cye Patterson (seven) and Frank Mitchell (six) carried the scoring load in the opening 20 minutes.

Minnesota used a 10-0 run to open up its biggest lead, 33-17, but Nebraska closed the first half on a 6-0 spirt.

Odukale was especially important early; he had eight of Minnesota’s first 10 points.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Garcia and Brice Williams were tied for second in the Big Ten at 19.6 points per game, 0.3 behind Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli (19.9).

Garcia got going early in the second half with seven points and finished with nine. Williams ended with 21.

The Minnesota boys hockey state tournament brackets were released Saturday morning. The top seed in Class 2A is Moorhead, while Hibbing/Chisholm resides on the top line in Class A after knocking off Hermantown in section play.

The winners’ brackets for both tournaments will be played at Xcel Energy Center. All winners’ bracket games for both classes will be televised on KSTC Ch. 45, and also can be viewed online for free at 45tv.com.

2025 BOYS HOCKEY STATE SCHEDULE

The complete brackets for each class are listed below, and can also be viewed on the MSHSL website. Brackets will be updated here throughout the tournament:

CLASS 2A

Thursday’s quarterfinals

No. 2 Stillwater vs. No. 7 Andover, 11 a.m.

No. 3 St. Thomas Academy vs. No. 6 Shakopee, 1 p.m.

No. 1 Moorhead vs. No. 8 Lakeville South, 6 p.m.

No. 4 Rogers vs. No. 5 Edina, 8 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals

Thursday afternoon quarterfinal winners, 6 p.m.

Thursday evening quarterfinal winners, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s final

Friday evening semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

CLASS A

Wednesday’s quarterfinals

No. 2 St. Cloud Cathedral vs. No. 7 Mahtomedi, 11 a.m.

No. 3 Northfield vs. No. 6 Orono, 1 p.m.

No. 1 Hibbing/Chisholm vs. No. 8 Luverne, 6 p.m.

No. 4 East Grand Forks vs. No. 5 Northern Lakes, 8 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals

Wednesday afternoon quarterfinal winners, 11 a.m.

Wednesday evening quarterfinal winners, 11 p.m.

Saturday’s final

Friday afternoon semifinal winners, 12 p.m.

Related Articles

After 60 years of boys hockey, and a state title in 1987, Bloomington Kennedy has played its final game

High school boys hockey: Stillwater downs Hill-Murray in double overtime to reach state

High School Hockey: Dosan does it for St. Thomas in double overtime to beat Cretin-Derham Hall for section title

State wrestling: Mounds View, Stillwater, Simley all advance four to individual state semifinals

Boys hockey: Mahtomedi advances to state for fourth straight year by beating Chisago Lakes

The Wild added a veteran forward for the stretch run on Saturday, acquiring Gustav Nyquist from Nashville for a second-round pick in the 2026 draft.

Nyquist, 35, has nine goals and 21 points in 57 games for the Predators this season while playing on both of the team’s special team’s units. He is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $3.18 million salary cap hit, although Nashville will retain 50 percent of Nyquist’s contract.

The Wild are in solid playoff position despite playing without superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov, who hasn’t played since early January and had surgery Jan. 31 to repair a lower-body injury. Center Joel Eriksson Ek also is on injured reserve with a lower body injury.

This is the second time Wild general manager Bill Guerin has traded for Nyquist ahead of the NHL trade deadline, which comes Friday afternoon this season. Acquired in 2022-23, Nyquist had a goal and nine assists in nine games, the last six in the postseason (0-5–5). Playing for Columbus in 2021-22, Nyquist appeared in 82 games and scored four short-handed goals, third in the NHL that season.

The Wild were off Saturday following an 0-2 road trip through Utah and Colorado. Guerin is scheduled to speak to reporters before Sunday’s 2:30 p.m. puck drop at Xcel Energy Center.

Related Articles

Early lead erased as Wild losing streak hits three with 5-2 loss in Colorado

Jess Myers: Penalty killers are Wild’s primary trade deadline need

No help in sight for Wild, as Utah jumps them early

Far removed from his Blaine days, Nick Bjugstad can still feel tourney time in his gut

Going to the net paying off for Wild newcomer Vinnie Hinostroza

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

Small businesses aren’t as small as you might think. They drive 44% of the U.S. GDP and employ more than 60 million Americans, according to U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates.

Yet despite their impact, many small-business owners overlook financial planning, often waiting until it’s too late. In fact, 78% of business owners expect to fund their retirement by selling their business, but 60% haven’t met with a financial adviser, according to BizEquity. That’s a risky approach, and one that can leave many business owners unprepared for the future.

Financial planning isn’t just about investing — it’s about creating a strategy to ensure your business success translates into long-term personal financial security. Whether you’re looking to grow, manage risk or plan for an eventual exit, a sensible financial plan can help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Why small-business owners need a financial plan

A well-crafted financial plan provides business owners with clarity, stability and control. Here are three key reasons how a plan can benefit you:

• 1. Managing cash flow — You know that cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, but it’s also crucial for personal financial stability. Poor cash flow management can lead to business failure, but it can also impact your ability to save for retirement, pay down debt or reinvest in growth. Planning helps balance income and expenses while ensuring liquidity when it’s needed.

• 2. Preparing for growth — If you’re like many business owners, the value of your business represents the majority of your net worth. Growing that value takes intentional planning. A solid financial plan integrates business expansion with personal wealth-building, ensuring both are moving in the right direction.

• 3. Managing risk — Entrepreneurs take risks every day, but some risks can be mitigated with smart planning. Many business owners have a dangerously high concentration of their wealth tied to their business. If market conditions change, or if personal circumstances force an unexpected exit, an unprepared business owner could see years of hard work disappear. A strong financial plan builds buffers against these risks and creates options for when things don’t go as planned.

Aligning business and personal financial goals

A common mistake business owners make is treating their business and personal financial goals as separate. The truth is, they are deeply connected.

On the personal side, owners may have retirement goals, a desire to build generational wealth or aspirations for charitable giving. On the business side, they may focus on profitability, achieving scale economies and eventually transitioning the company. A smart financial plan aligns both — ensuring that as the business grows, so does the owner’s personal financial security.

For example, a business owner reinvesting all profits into expansion might overlook the need to build a retirement fund. Without a separate savings strategy, they risk being entirely dependent on the business’ sale, which isn’t always guaranteed. A strong financial plan can help set milestones that support both business success and personal wealth accumulation.

The importance of diversification

Many small-business owners have the majority of their wealth locked up in their business, leaving them vulnerable to financial downturns. Diversification helps mitigate this risk.

Consider utilizing tax-deferred accounts such as a SIMPLE IRA or 401(k) to grow retirement savings without immediate tax burdens. Tax-advantaged accounts such as a Roth IRA or Health Savings Account (HSA) provide additional tax-efficient savings opportunities. Taxable investment accounts can also provide flexibility, offering liquid assets that aren’t tied to strict withdrawal rules.

By strategically spreading investments across different tax treatments, you can balance their immediate cash flow needs with long-term financial stability.

Liquidity strategies

Many business owners assume they need to sell their company outright to generate retirement income. However, there are other ways to create liquidity without giving up full control.

• Strategic partnerships or partial sales — Selling a portion of the business to a like-minded investor or colleague can provide immediate capital while keeping an active role in operations.

• Minority or majority recapitalization — Bringing in outside investors allows owners to extract cash from the business while maintaining influence.

• Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) — Transferring ownership to employees can provide significant tax advantages while allowing the business to continue thriving.

Each of these options has unique tax and structural considerations, so working with a financial expert is essential in determining the best approach.

Plan today for the future you want

At its core, financial planning for a small business is about preparing for the future. A thriving business is a wonderful achievement, but it’s only truly successful if it translates into lasting financial security.

If you’re a business owner, ask yourself:

• Do I have a plan for steady income in retirement?

• Is my personal wealth growing alongside my business?

• Have I explored tax-efficient strategies for diversification and liquidity?

A well-structured financial plan doesn’t just protect what you’ve built — it helps you make the most of it. Take the time to craft a strategy that supports both your business and personal financial goals. Your future self will thank you.

Related Articles

Your Money: Five tough questions to ask before retirement

Your Money: Protect yourself from tax scams this season

Your Money: Helping your boomerang kids without busting your budget

Your Money: Aligning money with meaning

Jackpot for Mega Millions surges past $1B after no numbers match on Christmas Eve drawing

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial.