Author: David Shama

Glen Mason is in his 10^th season as University of Minnesota football coach.  The Gophers are more than half way through their 12 game schedule (four non-conference games and, as usual, eight Big Ten Conference games).  Following Saturday’s 48-12 loss to Wisconsin, the Gophers are 0-4 in the conference and 2-5 overall. 

Dating back to last season, Minnesota has the second longest losing streak in the Big Ten.  The Gophers have lost five consecutive conference games while Michigan State has lost six straight.  Minnesota is 2-7 in its last nine conference games and is in last place in the Big Ten. 

Mason’s career record at Minnesota is 60 wins, 55 losses.  He has won 29 conference games and lost 47.  His non-conference record (including bowl games where he is 3-3) is 30 wins, nine losses. 

In the Big Ten Mason has 11 conference road wins in nine and one-half seasons.  He has never won in Madison, the site of Saturday’s loss.  The scores in Madison: 48-12, 38-14, 49-31, 41-20 and 26-7. 

During the Mason era Minnesota’s highest finish in the conference standings has been fourth (three times).  The other finishes are 10^th, ninth, eighth and seventh (three times).  The last five seasons the Gophers’ conference finishes have been 10^th, seventh, fourth, eighth and seventh again. 

The 30-9 non-conference record has come against these schools: Hawaii, Iowa State, Memphis, Houston, Arkansas State, Ohio, Louisiana-Monroe, Illinois State, Baylor, Toledo, Louisiana-Lafayette, Murray State, Southwest Texas State, Buffalo, Tulsa, Troy State, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Kent State, California and Temple, plus bowl opponents Oregon, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Alabama and Virginia.

Iowa and Wisconsin are the conference schools in closest geographic proximity to Minnesota.  Iowa has won two of the last four conference championships and participated in four consecutive major bowl games including the Orange Bowl. (The Gophers haven’t defeated Iowa since 2000 and have lost their last three games in Iowa City by a combined score of 134 to 74). Wisconsin won Big Ten titles in 1998 and 1999 and won two Rose Bowls following those seasons. 

Northwestern, historically a subject of college football ridicule, won a conference championship in 2000.  In 1995 and 1996 the “Mildcats” were also Big Ten champions. 

To finish above .500 for the season (7-5) the Gophers would need to win all of their remaining games including in Columbus against No. 1 ranked Ohio State.

If the Minnesota Timberwolves are to improve from last season’s 33-49 season and return to the playoffs they will need to rebound better.  The Wolves finished 27^th in the 30 team NBA in total rebounds.  In offensive rebounds they were 29^th. 

The Wolves lowly totals came despite having the league’s leading rebounder, Kevin Garnett at 12.7 rebounds per game.  Not being able to rebound effectively can be particularly troublesome in close games when every possession of the basketball may impact the game’s outcome.  Last season the Wolves were 1-5 in overtime games, 4-10 in games decided by three points or less. 

As fans track the progress of the Wolves in the pre-season and early season, attention will be paid to forwards Eddie Griffin and Craig Smith, and center Mark Blount.  Among the three, Griffin is the most intriguing.  On and off court problems have characterized his four year pro career but the 24–year-old Griffin has sometimes shown exceptional promise. 

He was second to Garnett in rebounds per game last season at 5.6.  He ranked 10th in the league in blocked shots per game at 2.11.  Although he had the worst scoring and rebound totals of his career last season, his 17 point, 14 rebound, six blocked shots game against Indiana in January teased teammates and others with his potential. 

Wolves center Mark Madsen thinks the team is capable of improved rebounding and that Griffin can be a major contributor. “Eddie is a very gifted player,” Madsen said. “He’s a special talent. He blocks shots on the way up. He blocks shots at the zenith and he’s a great offensive rebounder. He can shoot the three ball. He’s a guy who can change a game in short order.” 

Can he be an all-star? “With Eddie the sky’s the limit,” Madsen said. “I think he’s gotten himself into phenomenal shape. He absolutely can be an all-star.” 

Smith tore a ligament in his left wrist in late March.  He needed an operation and his recovery time meant he couldn’t showcase his ability for NBA teams before the draft.  Without the wrist problem, Smith might not have been available to the Wolves as the 36th pick in the June draft. 

The 6-7, 250-pound Smith averaged 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds during his career at Boston College.  He is the school’s leader in total rebounds.  In pre-season games and practices with the Wolves he has shown energy, muscle and hustle.  He describes himself as a guy who can “play physical, make plays.” 

Small forward Ricky Davis, who played with Blount in Boston, said the Wolves 7-foot center is a “big key” to rebounding this season.  Playing last season in both Boston and here, Blount averaged 4.5  rebounds per game.  Not only is Blount not considered an aggressive and effective rebounder, but he also frequently experiences foul trouble, limiting his availability.  He said he expects his rebounding numbers to go up this season. 

For improvement in rebounding, the Wolves will, of course, look beyond Griffin, Smith and Blount.  “It’s not going to be one guy that is going to step up and take that load, I think it’s going to be a team situation,” assistant coach Randy Wittman said.

WCCO Sports Huddle host Dave Mona, a trading card expert, estimates he has one to two million cards.  At one time he owned about four million cards.  He said recently a long term trend of declining interest and value in cards continues.  “Many cards from the last 20 years are virtually worthless,” he said.  

Card manufacturers are producing fewer cards than in the past and interest among the public, including youngsters, has been impacted by the many other entertainment options.  Among the “hot cards” today are Joe Mauer and Johan Santana rookie cards.  In football, there has been lots of excitement about the rookie cards of former USC idols Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.  Mona said he recently sold an autographed Leinart on eBay for $180. 

Old cards may still hold value including the famous 1952 Topps baseball set.  Mona estimated the set value at “more than $15,000.00.”  Included in the set is a rookie Mickey Mantle card that Mona said even “if scruffy” could fetch $1,500.00.