This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated names the best players in the NBA and puts the Wolves Al Jefferson at third team center. Former Wolves forward Kevin Garnett is on the first team and his Celtics are predicted to defeat the Lakers in the NBA finals. Former Wolves’ coach Flip Saunders will win coach of the year, according to the magazine for directing a comeback season by the Wizards.
Common opinion is the Vikings will have a difficult game in Pittsburgh on Sunday against the Steelers, but the defending Super Bowl champs (4-2) have won four games against teams that have won a total four games.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger talking about the best attribute of former Vikings assistant Mike Tomlin, now head coach of the Steelers: “I think you hear it a lot, and I think it’s maybe overused sometimes, but I think he is a players’ coach. His age helps, that he can relate to the guys. If we have suggestions or comments about things, he listens to us. He’s willing to change if it’s in the best interest of the players and the team.”
Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe leads the team in touchdown receptions with five in six games. He had seven last season. Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton joked with Shiancoe when he told him: “I said you know Brett Favre put Bubba Franks (Favre’s former Packers teammate) into about five Pro Bowls in a row as the king of the one yard touchdown, because he’s (Favre) so effective on the play action on the goal line. Shiancoe said, ‘Hey, I am all for it.’ ”
Wide receiver Sidney Rice had the biggest day of his pro career last Sunday, catching six passes for 176 yards. Dalton is impressed with Rice’s athleticism including the ability of the 6-4 receiver to leap high and catch the ball. “We’ve seen in some one-on-one matches that he really knows how to adjust his body to the ball and take it away from defenders,” Dalton said.
It helps Rice and the other receivers that they count on Favre to put the ball close to them. “Brett is so accurate with the ball that he tries to put the BB through the key hole,” Dalton said.
Favre talking about what he does to keep his 40-year-old right arm healthy: “I ice when I feel like I need to. When’s the last time I iced? I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been pretty blessed. The good Lord has blessed me with a great arm and the ability to make some plays. But I probably should take better care (of my arm). I say that but it’s been 19 years, but if it hurts I take care of it. I play the game a certain way and just been pretty fortunate.”
Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said yesterday he hopes his defense will force Pittsburgh to throw 40 to 45 times on Sunday. He also said a decision hasn’t been made on injured cornerback Antoine Winfield’s availability for Sunday. It’s a possibility that nickel back Benny Sapp will fill in for Winfield.
Special teams coach Brian Murphy said a decision has yet to be made on the availability of the injured Percy Harvin.
The competition for the MIAC football championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs remains close. Of the four MIAC football games played last Saturday, none were won by more than seven points and two went into overtime. Gustavus beat Carleton 28-21 by scoring a touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game while Augsburg defeated Concordia in overtime by seven points, 27-20. Coach John Gagliardi’s Saint John’s team defeated St. Thomas by three points in overtime, 20-17, and now leads the standings. Hamline lost to Bethel 20-17 on a last second field goal.
The Gophers, who play preseason WCHA favorite Denver at home tonight and tomorrow night, will look for scoring help from sophomore forward Jordan Schroeder who saw an eight game scoring streak dating back to last season end this past weekend against North Dakota. He was held scoreless in both games of a weekend series for just the second time (also last October at Wisconsin) in his college career.
Wild right wing Petr Sykora has 20 or more goals in each of his last 10 NHL seasons, sharing the longest active streak in the NHL with Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Nashville’s Jason Arnott, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
The Wild is one of only six NHL teams to have two 300-goal scorers–Owen Nolan (407) and Sykora (301).
Former Bloomington Jefferson star Jeff Saterdalen will be inducted into the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday.