Author: David Shama

Connecticut 67, Butler 65.

That’s former Gophers’ coach Jim Dutcher’s prediction on tonight’s NCAA title game between the Huskies and Bulldogs.  Dutcher, who coached the Gophers to a Big Ten championship and in the NCAA tournament, is a passionate observer of college basketball and saw UConn play in person earlier in the tournament when the Huskies beat San Diego State in Anaheim.

Butler and Connecticut are physical defensive and rebounding teams.  The Bulldogs on Saturday had an eye-opening 48-32 edge in rebounds, including 16 offensive rebounds, while defeating VCU in their semifinal game.

“The key in the game (tonight) is who wins the rebounding battle, wins the game,” Dutcher said.

Connecticut junior guard Kemba Walker and swingman Jeremy Lamb, a freshman, are two players Dutcher thinks could make a big difference in the game.  Walker is the best player in the tournament and Lamb is a talented scorer.  “I am not sure Butler matches that,” Dutcher said.

The Bulldogs, who lost in the title game a year ago by two points, are the more experienced team including junior guard Shelvin Mack and senior forward Matt Howard, both important players this season and last.  Four of the Huskies’ top six players are freshmen.

In the what-might-have-been department, Butler’s best player last year was sophomore swingman Gordon Hayward who left for the NBA.  His presence tonight, Dutcher said, likely would give Butler the title.

Dutcher thinks UConn wins tonight but said “I wouldn’t mortgage the house on it.”

Twins catcher Joe Mauer is the fourth best player in baseball, according to Joe Posnanski from SI.com.  On his 32 player list he ranks Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez ahead of Mauer.

The Twins’ outfield was scrutinized for its defensive performance by Sports Illustrated in the magazine’s baseball preview issue last week.  The publication reported that the Twins allowed the second highest total in the American League last season for doubles and triples.  Left fielder Delmon Young, center fielder Denard Span and right fielder Michael Cuddyer need to prove collectively they’re better than mediocre.

Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire said on Saturday that Francisco Liriano threw the ball the “best” he’s seen him during the left-hander’s final outing in spring training.  But Liriano became too excited in his regular season debut on Saturday against Toronto, started “overthrowing” and lost control of his pitches during a four hit, four run loss in just 4.1 innings.

Speculation about a funding model for a new Vikings’ stadium has the franchise perhaps contributing about one-third of the cost.  Local authority Tony Spadaforda has been studying stadiums, including financing issues, since 1996.  He wants to see a larger financial participation from the Vikings, and also is concerned the team could relocate if a stadium deal doesn’t materialize.

The annual Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party at Winter Park will be Thursday, April 28 during the first round of the NFL Draft.  General admission tickets went on sale Friday. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.vikings.com.

Timberwolves’ assistant coach Reggie Theus seems like a fit for the coaching vacancy at UNLV.  Theus played for the Rebels and had success as head coach at New Mexico State.

Colorado State might be the school that former Gopher Colton Iverson transfers to.

Rumors of Gophers’ coach Tubby Smith being offered the Missouri job prompted an unsupportive story by Mike DeArmond on the Kansas City Star’s blog.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s clinic last weekend had a record attendance of 1,150, about 275 more than last year.

At the clinic Bethel’s Steve Johnson was presented the Tom Mahoney Man of the Year award.  In 22 seasons at Bethel, Johnson has made the Royals an MIAC power and gained admiration as a mentor.

The coaches association also announced that Brainerd’s Ron Stolski is the 2010 Coach of the Year.  Stolski became the state’s prep leader in career wins last fall.

Gophers head coach Jerry Kill spoke at the clinic.  He said players who show lack of effort may find themselves wearing a t-shirt that says: “Minnesota Loafers.”

Kill places emphasis on special teams.  He said a team that blocks a punt wins the game about 90 percent of the time.  In three seasons coaching at Northern Illinois, his teams blocked 12 punts.  In seven years at Southern Illinois the total was 28.

New Gophers’ offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover told Sports Headliners that wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight is a “phenomenal player.”   He’s working for the first time with McKnight in spring practice and the Dallas native led the Gophers in receiving last season with 750 yards and 10 touchdown catches.

The Gophers were 3-9 last season and ranked 10^th in both scoring and total offense among Big Ten teams, but Limegrover said “we have some pretty talented kids.”   He likes the attitude of his players in spring practice.  “We haven’t had to coach effort,” he said.

The MIAC is one of three conferences with 10 teams in the Division III Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings.  The standings are determined by a team’s performance in NCAA Division III Championship events in up to 18 sports – nine women’s and nine men’s.  St. Thomas is the leading MIAC school, ranking No. 20 with 335 points.  The Tommies won the national men’s basketball title last month under coach Steve Fritz.