It appears the Big Ten Conference will move away from 11 a.m. football starts after making new arrangements with its TV partners. Maturi said the change would provide a boost to the student ticket campaign starting later this summer.
Maturi also said the Gophers aren’t close yet on securing a lead donor for a new basketball practice facility.
Kill has been making promotional stops in outstate Minnesota in recent weeks. The largest turnout so far was 270 at a Red Wing breakfast on Monday.
The Twins have played 22 home games, the fewest among major league teams. But now the club has just 29 road dates until September 1.
The present home stand includes an interleague series against San Diego June 17-19 at Target Field. The Twins lead the all-time series between the teams 6-3. The Padres haven’t been in Minneapolis since 2005.
San Diego’s roster includes ex-Twins Orlando Hudson and Pat Neshek. Hudson has been on the disabled list with a groin injury since late May. He is hitting .217 with no home runs and seven RBI. Neshek is 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA. Neshek’s ERA in his last 10 games is 1.59.
Prep basketball authority Ken Lien reported via email that Williston State College has signed commitments for next season from Armstrong’s Marquel Curtis and St. Paul Johnson’s Jordan Jackson. Simon Krych of St. Cloud Apollo has signed with Nebraska-Omaha.