Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Nothing quite hits a sports fans' lips as sweet as the first game of the playoffs.
 
It's like the first sip of beer on a Friday afternoon after a long work week, or the first bite of steak after a diet.
 
Over the last six months, the Sioux Falls Stampede and Minnesota Timberwolves grinded through 60 and 82 games, respectively. Now, the fun really begins for their fans.
 
The Herd open their USHL Western Conference semifinals on Friday. Their president and 20-year play-by-play voice Jim Olander joined the Happy Hour host and Stampede beat writer Trent Singer in the Orion Pub to preview the series and explain how the Herd won 40-plus games for the first time in club history.
 
The Wolves tip off their NBA Western Conference quarterfinals in Denver on Saturday in Round 3 of their playoffs trilogy with the Nuggets. Orion Pub co-owner Jon Oppold sat in with fellow Wolves die-hard Cordell Wright (the Happy Hour video producer) and the host to dive into the storylines and matchups.
 
Before those conversations, Singer and the host react to both Sioux Falls metro area boys basketball head coaching hires this week: Dan Jansen (O'Gorman) and Ben Schultz (Roosevelt). 
 
They also break down the decision of Pierre four-star tight end Cooper Terwilliger — who Sanford Sports Academy football director Kurtiss Riggs calls a "Top 5 or 7" player he has seen in his 30 years following local prep football — to commit to Penn State over, among many others, Nebraska.
 
But first, some words about guillotines, non-alcoholic beer, and the Hair Club for Men.

The Wolves tip off their NBA Western Conference quarterfinals in Denver on Saturday in Round 3 of their playoffs trilogy with the Nuggets. Orion Pub co-owner Jon Oppold sat in with fellow Wolves die-hard Cordell Wright (the Happy Hour video producer) and the host to dive into the storylines and matchups.

The Herd open their USHL Western Conference semifinals on Friday. Their president and 20-year play-by-play voice Jim Olander joined the Happy Hour host and Stampede beat writer Trent Singer in the Orion Pub to preview the series and explain how the Herd won 40-plus games for the first time in club history.

Trent Singer and the host react to both Sioux Falls metro area boys basketball head coaching hires this week: Dan Jansen (O'Gorman) and Ben Schultz (Roosevelt). 
 
They also break down the decision of Pierre four-star tight end Cooper Terwilliger — who Sanford Sports Academy football director Kurtiss Riggs calls a "Top 5 or 7" player he has seen in his 30 years following local prep football — to commit to Penn State over, among many others, Nebraska.
 
But first, some words about guillotines, non-alcoholic beer, and the Hair Club for Men.

One just ended her reign of terror on the rest of the Summit League. One just started his reign as head coach of an FCS powerhouse.
 
And both of Wednesday's guests on "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" had much to discuss.
 
Just over a month ago, Brooklyn Meyer hoisted the Summit League Tournament trophy for the fourth time, capping a prolific career in which she finished twice as an All-American, three times on the All-Summit League first team, and won this year's Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award. 
 
But now what? 
 
Meyer went unselected in Monday's three-round WNBA Draft — only one mid-major player out of 45 was selected — and did not receive an offer to sign as an undrafted free agent by any of the 15 teams. That's shocking if you don't follow the WNBA, but the Happy Hour host details some reasons at the start of the show.
 
Does she still have her eyes set on playing professionally somewhere, somehow? Meyer answers that question early in this 47-minute chat, then gives hints near the end. She also goes down memory lane at SDSU — including her recruitment, her decision to choose the Jacks over several regional Power Four schools (Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, among others), her friendships with legendary teammates Myah Selland and Paige Meyer, her interest in nutrition and dietetics (her major), and the lighter side of Aaron Johnston.
 
Just over two months ago, Vitzthum was introduced as South Dakota's head football coach. Shortly after the ceremony, he discussed in a Happy Hour interview what he planned to bring to the table.
 
But now what?
 
What has he discovered from the captain's chair at USD after being a lifelong assistant coach? What kind of advice has his predecessor, Travis Johansen offered him.
 
And what about his team? The Coyotes lost three-year starting quarterback Aidan Bouman to graduation, which puts a bright spotlight on the three players vying to take over. What is Vitzthum's assessment of them? Will he tailor the offense to the skill sets of whoever emerges?
 
How is All-America running back Charles Pierre, Jr., looking after missing almost the entire season with an injury suffered in the second game?
 
For that matter, how about a rundown of all position groups, plus some new coaches? 

It is all there, plus his reaction to North Dakota State's move to the FBS.
 
Before the A-list interviews, the Happy Hour host explains why Meyer didn't get a WNBA opportunity (it's not her fault) and why Byron Buxton is the most exciting Twins player ever—and one of the club's most amazing stories.
 
Buxton, who hit two home runs and scored from first base on a single in a 6-0 win over Boston on Tuesday, is one reason Twins fans may tune in to a squad with low expectations. But video producer Cordell White explains why fans should not go to games at Target Field.