Graham Arnold and Alex Brosque had more than a few discussions during the A-Leagues off-season.Sydney FCs coach and captain scrutinised a sub-standard domestic campaign, painfully analysing what went so wrong less than a year after the clubs 52-goal run to the 2014-15 grand final.The long-term loss of Brosque to injury was a major factor in a campaign largely devoid of goals from other sources.Some key players struggled to perform, while balancing a successful Asian Champions League campaign ran the rest ragged.There was no erasing the 11-game winless streak that ultimately cost them a place in the finals.The only real answer was to move forward, and acknowledge that perhaps a lousy season was what Sydney needed most.Thats one of the things me and Arnie spoke about in the off-season, Brosque told AAP.The first season he came in, everything went well - we broke a lot of club records and made the grand final.But it probably masked over a few issues that were there when he took over already.As bad as it was, it was probably one we needed to have in order to get things going in the right direction again.The harsh truth for Arnold was he wasnt used to losing.Hed claimed a premiership and championship within three years at Central Coast and then breezed to the 2014-15 season decider in his first year at Sydneys glamour club.Now, the 53-year-old is well-versed.When you go into coaching, youre not handed a handbook - you cant do a university course for it. You learn along the way, through experiences, Arnold told AAP.That was the first time Id been through that, ever.In the A-League, out of five years, Id had four top-two finishes and three grand finals. This was the first time Id missed the top six.Im always hard on myself. I went away, analysed my own performance and it wasnt good enough.Its made me not only a better coach, but a better person.Its taken some negative things from last year to make it better.Quality recruitment is the standout element of the new Sky Blues, increasingly viewed as genuine title contenders.Last seasons squad of 27 has been reduced to 23, with Brazilian marquee striker Bobo and returned winger Bernie Ibini leading a revived attack, backed up by the proven talent of Danny Vukovic, Michael Zullo, Alex Wilkinson and Josh Brillante.That fit-again Brosque and last seasons player of the year Matt Jurman started on the bench against Blacktown City last month hints at the depth.Arnold is in the last year of his contract and has knocked back a number of off-season offers to coach overseas.Theres unfinished business.Theres regularly offers and phone calls from agents trying to entice you, but now isnt the right time. he said.I love Sydney FC. 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Air Max 97 Discount MINNEAPOLIS -- An off-court investigation and ankle injury slowed down Reggie Lynch earlier this year.Now his coach believes the redshirt junior is one of the Big Tens best players in the middle.Lynch and Jordan Murphy each had a double-double and Minnesota pulled away to beat Northern Illinois 77-57 Sunday.Lynch scored 11 of his career-high tying 18 points in the second half. His 11 rebounds were two off a career best.Murphy had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota (10-1). Nate Mason finished with 11 points and Akeem Springs and Dupree McBrayer had 10.I played pretty good, but everyone all around did very well, Lynch said.Accused of sexual assault in May and not allowed to practice with the team until it was announced in August he would not be charged with a crime, Lynch, who transferred from Illinois State, also missed the Nov. 25 game with an injured ankle.He just needs as many reps as he can, but I thought he was terrific today, said coach Richard Pitino. To me, I think hes one of the better centers in the league. . Hes a game-changer for us.Lynch feels like hes had a groove the whole time.I know how to play the game, he said. My teammates are finding me and everyone is playing really well. Even if Im in a little bit of pain on defense or trying to score I know my team has my back.Lynch and Murphy combined for 12 of Minnesotas first 21 second-half points as the Gophers, who led by six at the break, built a 50-38 lead. Springs, who played two seasons at Northern Illinois, had a 3-pointer and layup in that stretch.I thought that Lynch, he came out and it seemed like he wouldnt miss a shot in the first half. We tried to slow him down in the second half, but it just wasnt enough, said Northern Illinois coach Mark Montgomery.The Huskies (4-5) loost for the fourth time in five games.dddddddddddd They were led by Marshawn Wilsons 19 points. Dontel Highsmith had 10.Northern Illinois has lost 14 straight games to Big Ten opponents since Dec. 14, 1999.Minnesota finished with a 48-28 rebounding advantage and was 25-for-30 from the free-throw line after entering the game with a 67.8 percent rate.PASSING FANCYMinnesota finished with 17 assists on 24 baskets.I think our whole team is really, really willing passers, Pitino said. Theyre very unselfish. . They look like theyre having fun together. Theyre constantly looking to share the ball.WELCOME HOMEA smattering of cheers could be heard when Northern Illinois Wilson made a play. He went to high school about 10 miles from Williams Arena and was a finalist for the states 2015 Mr. Basketball award. He had 13 points in his first six games before Sunday.BIG PICTURENorthern Illinois: The Huskies need to shoot better away from the basket. Northern Illinois had zero points outside the paint in the first half and finished with 10. The Huskies were 2-for-11 on 3-point attempts.Minnesota: The Gophers, who struggled in a 74-68 win over the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Wednesday but beat Georgia Southern by 37 on Friday, continue to seek offensive consistency. They shot just 30 percent in the first half despite a 5-for-21 start, but 53.6 percent in the second 20 minutes.UP NEXTNorthern Illinois: Plays its only home game in a 35-day stretch Wednesday against Olivet Nazarene. The Huskies have four road games in that span.Minnesota: The Gophers are home Wednesday against LIU Brooklyn before a nine-day layoff for final exams. ' ' '