Gophers coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners he expects Nick Tow-Arnett to “wow” NFL scouts today at the Gophers’ Pro Day on campus. Scouts will be evaluating Gophers whose eligibility ended after last season and even though Brewster’s tight end wasn’t invited to the prestigious NFL Combine earlier this month he believes talent evaluators will be impressed with Tow-Arnett’s physical skills, versatility and intelligence. “I think he’s a second day draft pick,” said Brewster who prior to the Gophers was the Denver Broncos’ tight ends coach.
Rumor NOT to be believed: Zygi Wilf will sell the Vikings and buy his home town New York Giants.
Unless the Gophers shock the college basketball world by winning four straight games in the Big Ten tournament starting with Penn State tomorrow night, Minnesota is headed for the NIT. The NIT field will be announced early next week and the higher seeds usually host games unless there is something unusual such as a facility not being available.
The Denver Nuggets team that comes to Target Center tonight to play the Timberwolves has a chance to finish with the best record in the Western Conference. The Nuggets, 42-21, have one of their best teams in franchise history and their record compares favorably to the Los Angeles Lakers, 47-18, and Dallas Mavericks, 44-21.
Coach Jay Pivec is job hunting after Minneapolis Community and Technical College ended the basketball program he led for 20 years. His record there was 435-115. He is part of the 2010 class for the National Junior College Athletic Association Basketball Hall of Fame. Pivec’s skill set will result in success, whether his future is in basketball or a new career.
St. Thomas junior guard Tyler Nicolai, who led the Tommies to the regular season conference championship, was named the MIAC Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches. In conference games Nicolai led the Tommies in scoring (13.8), steals (1.90), assist/turnover ratio (2.65) and field goal percentage (48.7 %).
Saint John’s junior wing Sam Blank was selected MIAC Sixth Man of the Year. Blank finished fourth in MIAC games making 35 three-pointers with a 41.7% average. Augsburg head coach Aaron Griess was chosen Coach of the Year. Griess led the Auggies to their best single season win total since 1998-99. Augsburg tied for second place in the conference with a 13-7 record.