Author: David Shama

Except for perhaps “American Idol,” many people will tell you the hottest viewing on TV is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.  For me, “Idol” gets my vote every time. Why? Fewer commercials. 

Among the discerning, Division I college basketball is a game with flaws that need fixing.  Doesn’t matter whether it’s the NCAA tournament or regular season, college hoops should be a better game to watch and play. 

The frequency and length of the TV timeouts is abominable.  Every four minutes a TV timeout is imposed so that networks and athletic departments can line their pockets with money.  Not only can you count on the TV timeouts, but it’s pretty likely, too, the coaches will call one or two timeouts during these four minute periods.  In a span of five minutes real time we can be “treated” to three commercial breaks! 

The result is college games don’t have much non-stop action and that’s an affront to the beauty of basketball.  For participant and spectator alike, basketball is best played and watched during multiple minutes of uninterrupted action.  Instead of a game that flows, too often we see a product that seems like a tease to make us watch a tiresome babble of advertising messages. 

While the takeover of college basketball by the TV bean counters and Madison Avenue creative teams is a relatively new development, NCAA hoops is also off its game with the five foul rule for disqualification.  First, the college game is over officiated and too many fouls are called, particularly violations close to the basket where more contact should be green light, not red light.  Second, fans come to see the best players compete, not watch them spend inordinate amounts of time on the bench because of fouls.   

Ohio State and other Big Ten Conference basketball fans can tell you about the numerous games this season when they watched freshman phenom Greg Oden be charged with early first half fouls and then sit on the bench.  It will likely be no different for Oden, Texas superstar Kevin Durant and other star players during the NCAA tournament.  Gee, do I turn on these games to watch the likes of Oden and Durant, or do I view them to see a second stringer? Please, change from five fouls to six and loosen up the calls.   

College basketball could be improved, too, by adding four minutes to its games. Use two 22-minute halves, or four quarters with periods of 11 minutes each.  Keep the same darn number of TV commercials (please, don’t add any) and spread the ads over more minutes than presently available with two 20-minute halves.  We’re probably dreaming on this next one, but reduce the coaches’ allotment of game timeouts from five to four.  The longer games will provide more entertainment for fans, a better flowing game for spectators and players, and perhaps more playing opportunity for reserves. 

Jim Souhan has proven his baseball expertise through the years covering the Twins first as a reporter and now as a columnist for the Star Tribune.  He’s an admirer of the 2007 Twins and also the American League’s Central Division.

Pressed for a predicted order of finish, he said Tigers, Twins, Indians, White Sox and Royals.  Souhan added a quick disclaimer that the order of teams could easily change in “by far” baseball’s best division.  “A really talented team is going to finish fourth in the Central this year,” he told Sports Headliners. 

Souhan “loves” the Twins lineup and bullpen and likes the club house chemistry.  He also “loves the young arms” of potential starting pitchers Matt Garza, Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey.  “To me the key is not getting buried early in the season with the rotation as it is (mostly veteran questionables Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz, Carlos Silva),” Souhan said.  “If they (the Twins) can get through mid or late May and not be buried, still have those young arms in reserve and ready to pitch in the major leagues, they’re in pretty good shape.  While it’s hard to pick any team (in the division), look out (for the Twins).” 

Souhan talked about the veteran pitchers contributing early while Perkins and Slowey develop in the minors but he sees a bigger role for Garza right away.  “When you look at what this team’s aspirations are, they’re going to need a real No. 2 starter (behind Johan Santana),” Souhan said.  “Garza is the only guy in camp right now who is capable of being a No. 2.  If they get to July and their rotation is starting Silva, Ortiz, (Boof) Bonser and Ponson, then they’ve got a true ace (Santana) and a bunch of fours and fives.  Maybe a three at best, Bonser.  

“If you have Garza and he pitches the way he’s capable with that arm, then you’ve got legitimate No. 1 and No. 2 (pitchers) who can any given night go out and completely shut down the opposition. You can fill in behind two guys like that.  Also, if they get to the playoffs and Garza is pitching like a true No. 2, now it’s not all on Santana.  You’ve got a chance to win the first two games.”

Pavol Demitra is the only player on the Wild and one of the few in the NHL who uses a wooden stick instead of a composite.  “For me I can shoot much harder and (with) more accuracy,” he said.  “I can hit any corner I want.  Every shot is just exactly the same kind of speed. …” 

The Big Ten Conference athletic directors are expected to discuss expanding the number of conference football games when they meet this spring.  Each school now plays eight conference opponents and if there is any increase a ninth game might be most likely, according to a Big Ten source. 

Jim Dutcher, the best TV analyst in the Big Ten Conference, offers these Final Four picks:  Florida, Ohio State, North Carolina and Kansas. 

Four of the nine head coaching basketball positions in the Mountain West Conference are open, Wyoming, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah.  Will former Gopher coach Dan Monson show interest? 

The lineup of concerts coming up at Xcel Energy Center includes Christina Aguilera, March 19; Rod Stewart, April 25; Billy Joel, May 9; Kenny Chesney, May 13 and The Police, July 3.

The MIAC recently announced its men’s hockey award winners and Augsburg College senior forward Aaron Johnson was named Player of the Year. Johnson finished the conference season in the top four in points, goals and assists. Augsburg’s Chris Brown was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Auggies to a third place MIAC finish and a 9-3-4 record.

Gustavus Adolphus College senior defenseman Andrea Peterson was named the women’s Player of the Year. Peterson earned her fourth MIAC Player of the Year award after leading the Gusties to the MIAC title and a 17-1 conference record. St. Olaf head coach John Bazzachini was named Coach of the Year. The Oles finished the MIAC regular season in second place with a 12-5-1 mark.

College of St. Catherine senior forward Angie Johnson received the 2006-07 Sheila Brown Award. The award is given to a senior who has made a long-term contribution to her team’s success and consistently competed with good sportsmanship.