Nobody's Listening Anyway

Why should Sioux Falls be captivated and impressed by Canaries slugger Jabari Henry tying and eventually breaking the American Association independent league's career home run record, and what makes his story and career intriguing?

How disappointing, if at all, should we consider the Minnesota Timberwolves' postseason run considering it will likely end in a "gentleman's sweep" of 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals? Is Anthony Edwards' starpower taking a step back the way he does on some nights?

Now that the Minnesota Twins have cooled off a bit after their 13-game winning streak, what makes them worth a continued emotional investment from casual fans? 

What should we make of the South Dakota vs. North Dakota State football game being ranked as one of ESPN.com's top 10 college games (including FBS) to watch this season, and is South Dakota State being snubbed? 

What is Taryn Christion's legacy at SDSU — GOAT? Or perhaps something more meaningful?

John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer tackle these topics for Tuesday's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" show for "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" from Gibs Sports Bar on the east side of Sioux Falls. 

But first — a toast to George Wendt, the "Cheers" actor who played loveable barfly Norm Peterson, died last week at age 76. Turns out, one of the most popular characters on one of the most popular shows in TV history has quite a following. Our Gen X hosts who grew up on Norm and the merry gang in the Boston sports bar devote a worthwhile chunk of time to what both Norm and Cheers meant to them. 

From May 14 (sorry for the delay):

Is Diet Coke the "worst-tasting thing in the world?" 

Is it acceptable to wear pajamas in public, let alone sweatpants? 

Is our "Dead Guy of the Week" — a B-list Twins legend — someone that passes Matt Zimmer's fame test?

As they do every week at Gateway Lounge, John Gaskins and Zim solve all the world's problems and mysteries in this Mid-May version of "Nobody's Listening Anyway."

There's even plenty of local and regional sports to discuss:

• Does SDSU or USD have more potent quarterback/offensive line combo?
• In what way are SDSU and USD trying to become the Iowa of the FCS?
• What sneaky-big addition did USD hoops just make?
• Are the Twins worth watching again now that they're on fire?
• How impressive should the Canaries be this year?
• Is it better to buy cheap nosebleeds or second-mortgage prime seats at major league pro sporting events?
• Should Chris Finch take just a little heat for the way the Wolves have underachieved in the playoffs?
• Is it insane to consider the way the Wolves have played "underachieving?

You may or may not be smarter after hearing this. But you'll definitely feel better after a laugh or five.

How can you not have Minnesota Timberwolves fever, especially on the precipice of a showdown full of stars, storylines, and bad blood between the Wolves and Golden State Warriors?

Jimmy Butler — whose belligerence and self-engineered exit eventually sunk the squad into the abyss — returns to face unruly Target Center fans, not to mention the superstar who has lifted the Wolves from that abyss, Anthony Edwards.

Steph Curry — a Hall-of-Famer who has spearheaded four NBA titles in the Bay Area while the Wolves have mostly wallowed in misery — returns to face the team that passed him over twice in the 2009 Draft. 

Then, there's the Big Man Battle Royale with Rudy Goebert and Draymond Green, who choked Goebert in a game last year and trash-talked him from his pulpit on the TNT set. To add to the spice: ANT said publicly before the season started he couldn't wait to face the Warriors in the playoffs because Green "talks so much trash." 

John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer carve into the carnival to lead off this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" from Gateway Lounge, then take a stab at what to make of the tepid but not terrible Minnesota Twins. How much life will the returning-from-injury Royce Lewis give them? The latest heroics of Byron Buxton lead to this discussion:

Is Buxton the most electrifying Twins player of all time? Does he belong on the Mount Rushmore of Most Electrifying Minnesota Pro Sports Athletes of the last 30 years? Which Wolves and Vikings players make that cut?

Closer to home, what is there to make of the recently-announced partnership between the Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference, with the commissioner of the latter league taking over as commissioner of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Summit League leader Josh Fenton being tabbed "Executive Advisor" in the MVFC?

Finally, South Dakota State's 2025 season opening football opponent has an even more turned-over roster than the Jackrabbits, and the Augusta baseball and softball teams are heating up as the calendar flips to May. Why have the Vikings been so consistently successful in those diamond sports for over a decade?

Things certainly feel different in South Dakota State's football program — at least the personality of the head coach and staff and therefore the atmosphere of spring football.

Happy Hour host John Gaskins and Sioux Falls Live SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer compare notes of their recent interviews with quarterback Chase Mason and offensive lineman Quinten Christensen and wax poetic about the "vibe" of the program and how it will serve the Jacks in what feels like a year of upcoming uncertainty, considering all the new players and coaches. 

While Mason has the "rocket" arm and undeniable athletic prowess, USD's Aiden Bouman brings unmatched experience into the MVFC and FCS national race that gives them an "edge" against other FCS powers, according to local football guru Kurtiss Riggs. 

Both USD and SDSU saw multiple players sign NFL undrafted free agent deals, but is there one local player that feels like he has the best chance to make a roster? What do we make of the Vikings' first-round choice and the trade that made Sam Howell the backup quarterback? (Hint — we don't think an Aaron Rodgers drop-in is still out of the question).

Finally, what does the Timberwolves' 4-1 series win over the Lakers say about both teams?

Also, find out how a guy named Seymour Weiner and TV legends Beavis & Butthead wove into the fabric of today's discussion.

Beyond Pierre lineman Grey Zabel, a North Dakota State Hall-of-Famer-to-be, it appears there may not be a South Dakotan (native, high school alumnus or local college player) drafted. But history tells us that doesn't mean there aren't several that could make an impact on NFL teams. 

It appears J.J. McCarthty will "hit the ground running" as Vikings QB1, according to Kevin O'Connell. But KOC also continues to lead Zim and John to believe the Vikes still may have Aaron Rodgers on their radar, which they should. 

Exhausted by NIL/portal transfer talk? So are we. So we keep it to a couple of recent nuggets.

Finally, Augustana deserves a standing ovation for the forthcoming renovation of the Elmen Center to make it the on-campus hoops home -- at long last and full circle.

And, we have two Dead Guys of the Week — one, we learned during taping of the show.

South Dakota State's roster full of youngsters and rookie starters looks green, while several USD players are leaving -- perhaps for literally greener pastures (NIL money?).

Those are a couple headlines from spring football at the Rushmore State Div. I schools, according to Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer, who joins John Gaskins for another "Nobody Listening Anyway" pow wow from Gateway Lounge. 

Who and what stood out at SDSU, and what do we make of quatterback Chase Mason so far? And what does the exodus from Vermillion lead us to believe about the nature of FCS and college athletics?

Yes, it delves into another NIL and portal transfer, but we promise an entertaining one. 

Plus, you don't want to miss Zim's rant about the Twins, which aims squarely at "dumb" owner Joe Pohlad.

Woops! We failed to post the reaction show to Eric Henderson leaving SDSU for Drake and the near-immediate hiring of Bryan Petersen as his on-staff replacement.

Are Jackrabbits fans spoiled?

They are treated to national championship football teams and every-other-year NCAA Tournament berths for men's basketball.

Yet, there's still frustration among some about the football and basketball coaches leaving after 2-6 years.

How do we make sense of it, and of Eric Henderson leaving for Drake, a job that seems "barely" a notch above the SDSU job (and in some areas, like arena and fan support, maybe a notch below)?

There's real "life-changing money" to all this... and how much does that matter?

Was Bryan Petersen the right hire? How much does his junior college head coaching experience matter?

And what kind of a choice would "Coach Klink," the 19-year assistant, have been?

John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer sort at all that, then squabble about the importance of a mid-major presence in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Is SDSU vs UConn the biggest sporting event in the history of South Dakota State — and maybe even the state of South Dakota — considering the Jackrabbits' opponent, the stakes, and the national stage this game is on?

Yes, there have been football FBS national titles and Div. II men's and women's national titles, plus other matchups with big-name, top-notch big league schools in the big sports. But this is the all-time women's national program (record 11 titles), still coached by the inarguable best (or most decorated) coaching titan of the entire sport, in the NCAA Tournament, not just a November or December non-conference game.

This is Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers in the NCAA Tournaand a No. 2 seed that could win the national title!

Matt Zimmer is there to talk about how historically relevant Monday night's game is, what kind of chances the Jackrabbits have, and how SDSU socred a satisfying but not necessarily surprising Jacks win over Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Plenty of comparisons between the SDSU and UConn programs and coaches, and plenty of insight into some of the things Auriemma and Aaron Johnston and SDSU players had to say in his Sunday pre-game press conference, attended mostly by South Dakoa media.

Would a victory be the greatest moment in South Dakota State athletics history — if not in state of South Dakota history.

So much big game to discuss!

The Jackrabbits got hosed. That's Matt Zimmer's assessment of their No. 10 seed in the NCAA Women's Tournament, despite beating three ranked teams and playing four Quad-1 teams, with two close games. John Gaskins tried to make sense of the seeding with some NET and quad logic.

Why will Oklahoma State be a difficult matchup for the Jacks? And, how much is Matt looking forward to covering who John calls the "Buddha" of women's basketball Geno Auriemma? 

Oh, and Aaron Rodgers reportedly has chosen the Vikings, but will they choose him? Do we want that?

Aaron Rodgers hasn't found a place to play yet — at least, as of this show's publishing. 

So, why not the Minnesota Vikings? 

In this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway," Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins describe why they think Rodgers in purple would work, in addition to the McCarthy era that appears to be unfolding with lots of big-money free agent re-signings and acquisitions — thanks to the over $33 million Minnesota would have had to spend on Sam Darnold.

Who will emerge from a stacked, up-for-grabs field as the men's Summit League Tournament champion and go dancing? Will a home court advantage be enough for the South Dakota State men to overcome the loss of their starting point guard?

Should SDSU's Oscar Cluff have been voted conference player of the year over Omaha's Marquel Sutton? Does USD's Grace Larkins deserve to be women's player of the year even though she played on a team that went 5-11 in league play?

What do we make of the league potentially sending a vague message that suggests it will move long-time all-sessions ticket holders — many of whom are Jackrabbit fans who have been re-ordering their tickets since the first SLT in Sioux Falls 16 years ago — out of their seats? Is this biting the hands that feed it? 

Answers to these questions and more in the latest edition of "Nobody's Listening Anyway" with Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer and Happy Hour host John Gaskins. Plus:

• Zimmer's biggest takeaways from the very first SDSU football practice of the Dan Jackson era
• Reaction to the Minnesota Vikings not franchise-tagging Sam Darnold
• Jimmy Johnson's retirement from FOX NFL
• Gene Hackman's legacy — particularly in Hoosiers

John and Matt re-live their couples day drinking trip to Brookings on Sunday and get down to business with the Jacks' sleepy (until the last few minutes) win over Kansas City, how SDSU will fare without Owen Larson, the Omaha Mavs' first regular season title, and the final week of games before next year's tourney. 

Plus, Pierre native Gray Zabel is all of a sudden on Mel Kuiper's NFL Draft board as the No. 24 overall pick to the Vikings! Does this make us any more excited for the combine?

What should we make of the latest Jackrabbit victories in the State-U basketball series after a pair of riveting games? 

On this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" with John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer break down the SDSU men's trouble against USD's full-court press, Jacks coach Eric Henderson's teaching touch, the Coyotes' impressive climb back from the abyss via the up-tempo identity Eric Peterson established, and if the SDSU women's 60-game league win streak is more a product of Aaron Johnston's genius or a lack of worthy competition (hint: both).

Then, a fun potpourri of topics — Pat Mahomes vs. John Rocker, the USA-Canada fistacuffs, SNL's 50th Anniversary show, and Netflix making its move to take over NFL Sundays. 

This may be as good of a mood Matt Zimmer has ever been in the four-plus years of "Nobody's Listening Anyway," as he appears to still be glowing — and gloating — over the humiliation of Patrick Mahomes and the get-out-of-my-life Kansas City Chiefs. However, Zimmer and John Gaskins explain why the putrid performance did not put much of a dent in Mahomes's legacy.

How far do the Vikings have to reach what the Eagles have, and what do they need to get to have it? What do we make of the major moments in New Orleans — Trump, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, the anthem, and the commercials?

And now that football is over for the season, now what? Here in South Dakota, Summit League hoops is heating up, including a big couple of games for both South Dakota State men's and women's teams — first on Wednesday (women at NDSU) and Thursday (men host first-place Omaha), and then "State vs U" weekend with games against USD.

How do we wrap our brains and arms around "Amazing Grace" Larkins, especially compared to the last prolific scoring machine from this state, SDSU's Macy Miller? 

We finish with Matt's rant about the miserable Minnesota Twins' ownership and his excitement level for the upcoming season. Plus, back by unpopular demand, our "Dead Guy of the Week," which was an excuse to bring up a sneaky awesome sports comedy flick from the early 1990's.

Steve Miller sucks! That's Matt's opinion on the 1970's and 80's rocker, and he isn't much more excited about the Super Bowl, despite the fact the Chiefs could reach NFL mortality with three straight titles. 

Warning: We are NOT your authority on the breakdown of the matchups of the game!... but we do dive into prop bets and past Super Bowl halftime shows — the good, the bad, and the crappy. 

It's National Signing Day, which doesn't mean as much as it used to for most Div. I college football teams, except South Dakota State, which needed a big rally the last six weeks after Jimmy Rogers and a boatload of players and commits left.

Plus, a bigger picture view of USD and it's recruiting going forward — how important is it for the Coyotes to get more in-state recuits.

Zim explains why Augie hockey should be even more of a thing than it is, and we finish on Sacramento State's likely decision to move to the FBS and what it means for FCS schools like SDSU , NDSU and USD.

In a rollicking, one-hour pow-wow from the Gateway Lounge, 17-year friends and 5-year podcast partners John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer take their maiden voyage on a made-for-TV (well, YouTube) episode and dive further into the nation's obsession and aggression toward the Kansas City Chiefs, then steer into local football matters like Zim's interview with Steelers offensive lineman and former Roosevelt and SDSU stud Mason McCormick.

Speaking of offensive linemen, the best in state high school history just chose Iowa over Nebraska and Minnesota — why? Then, a dip into the dynamic of best friends and South Dakota football legends Kurtiss Riggs and Kalen DeBoer — and how the latter could really use the former to give Alabama a jolt back into the national title picture. Next, a delve into the most recent news of both Dan Jackson's recruiting efforts and success at SDSU (Semchenko/Kabrera) and good buddy Jimmy Rogers' continued luring of South Dakota talent to Washington State (Schlimgen).

The boys round third and head toward home plate with an "A League of their Own" analogy to the current state of Jackrabbits and Coyotes hoops after both SDSU squads beat up USD again. 

Zim lauds the hires of head football coaches Dan Jackson (SDSU) and Travis Johansen (USD) but explains why they won't be considered great hires if both guys are still around a decade from now. Also, some words about the amount of coverage the state's two D1 athletic programs get. As Zim says, "Title IX does not apply to media coverage." Also, a glimpse into early Summit League hoops conference play ahead of "State vs U" Saturday for both men's and women's squads.

One minute after John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer walked out of a nearly hour-long conversation with the new SDSU football in his office, Jackson actually broke the news via text that USD coach Bob Nielson is retiring.

So, John and Zim begin with a 12-minute reaction to the 65-year-old's decision to step down after a nine seasons in Vermillion and 32 overall as a head coach, walking off with an 11-3 season and the Coyotes' first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship and first FCS semifinal appearance in school history — just two years after the Yotes finished 3-8 after a blowout home loss, leaving fans wondering if his job was secure. Defensive coordinator Travis Johansen takes over the program.

Then, 54 minutes with Jackson, who just six days ago was introduced as the replacement to good friend and John Stiegelmeier heir apparent Jimmy Rogers, who left for five times his salary at Washington State and took his entire coaching staff and over a dozen players with him. A recruiting war between the schools ensued.

Jackson discusses his first week on the job, acclimation to a galvanized group of players, the staff he is hiring, a deep into dealing with NIL, and how much Chase Mason and Quentin Christensen kept together the core of the 2025 roster as fellow "recruiting coordinators" to keep as many Jacks in Brookings as possible. 

Zim wants to shut up & calm down ornery SDSU fans re: coaching & player flux. More Dan Jackson insight, NDSU national title thoughts & Vikings hyperventilation. What should the Vikes do about diaper-soiling Sam Darnold?

John joins on vacation from Tempe while Zim reports and opines on Rogers leaving for WSU and why Dan Jackson is probably the man.

Kurtiss Riggs fills in for Zim and provides deep dives into the FCS games, plus the coaching strengths and futures of SDSU, USD and NDSU

Deep dive into storylines and matchups, as NLA joins "Happy Hour with John Gaskins." We begin with Fireball and drunk dog stories, and the hot sales lady from Christmas Vacation turning 71.

Should SDSU, USD or NDSU be on upset alert?

USD, SDSU and NDSU previews. What "type" should replace Bubba?

Did the FCS get seeding right? Who's ass are we talking about this week?

Plus, the most important truth from Paul-Tyson fight!

Plus, mustache craze must go! Kalen DeBoer fending off vultures at Alabama. And state football championships!

An OT classic in Brookings means a big picture conversation about SDSU & USD and the national overview.

NDSU's win over SDSU means what for the Jacks? Can Yotes finally win in Brookings? Bama --- oh, boy!

Jacks play rivals back-to-back. We preview the Dakota Marker game. Plus, Mountain West buzz (?) and R.I.P. SID, Mr. USF.

Kalen DeBoer, from hero to, uh, not such a hero in one week. Jacks back on track. Yotes dominating. Big wins for Augie & USF. Vikings 5-0. Chiefs fatigue?

Zim's trip to see old friend Kalen DeBoer and CFB's Game of the Millennium. Also, a Jacks-Yotes-Augie-USF-Vikings speed drill.

SDSU bayou beatdown, Yotes, Augie, USF, Huskers, Hawkeyes, Gophers, and the Super Bowl-bound Vikings?

Augie game aftermath. USD hurt later by cancellation? And the Stricker International.

Plus, the rekindling of the SDSU-Augie "rivalry"

Jacks-Pokes review, USD-Badgers preview, Birds postseason history

Biggest test (and potential biggest win) in Jacks history?

SDSU & USD week-before-gameweek buzz, plus we weigh in on school start times and Phil Donahue.

Awesome all-access insight from Zim!

Will there be another "Donald Sutherland is gay" moment?

The rise of D1 and P5 talent in this region of the last decade is impressive. How'd it happen?

But first... the best character from Major League is...

Should SDSU and NDSU be eager to jump up like Missouri State?

Plus, Jacks & other locals in Draft, McCarthy, Twins, Wolves

Excited about the T-Wolves, finally?

Men's vs women's finals, and "Curb" walks off on same scene John encountered two months ago

Plus, why women's hoops has captivated us like never before.

Plus, Matt thinks John is pretty much Larry David

And a word or two about state hoops venues in SD.

What makes these titles unique for both SDSU men and women?