Author: David Shama

Dakich was asked about Gophers forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams, two players who have created speculation about leaving school early to play in the NBA.  Mbakwe, a junior, is averaging 13 points and 10.3 rebounds (tied with Sullinger for best in the Big Ten).  Williams, a sophomore, has minimal numbers for a starter, 6.4 points per game and 3.3 rebounds while making .152 percent of his three point attempts and .469 of his free throws.

“Mbakwe, he’s produced,” Dakich said.  “He’s had a good year.  My guess is he would have to take the advice of the NBA advisory committee and go from there (about leaving school early).  But I would think both of them…need a little more time.”

Dakich said there’s “no guesswork” in whether a player is going to be drafted because of the NBA advisory committee that will tell him what his projected  status is.  Mbawke could use a more “polished” inside scoring game, Dakich said, and he declined to predict whether Mbakwe could be drafted in the first round, not knowing how many quality European players will be available along with American players.

Dakich said years ago he heard that no player who averaged “15 points and 10 rebounds” in college didn’t play in the NBA.  That might give encouragement to Mbakwe who struggles with field goal and free throw shooting.

At first Dakich said “no chance” on Williams being taken on one of the NBA’s two draft rounds. Then he softened that opinion and said:  “But I would have a hard time based on simple production that Williams would be a guy.  Now I do know this, that NBA people think he’s the best athlete in the Big Ten.”

Dakich cautioned about the need for Williams to seek out the best advice on turning professional early and giving up his college eligibility.  “In my opinion it will be very important for Williams to listen to the right people,” he said.  “…As opposed to just saying, hey, some guy (said)…that I am ‘the best athlete’ and I am going to be a ‘lottery pick.’  You better be careful with all that.”

Kevin McHale, now an NBA TV analyst, told Sports Headliners on Sunday that he would be interested in coaching again if presented with the “right situation.”

McHale was at Williams Arena to congratulate Dick Garmaker on the retirement of his jersey.  Both former Gophers are from Hibbing.  McHale said he knew of Garmaker when he was a youngster and did a strenuous basketball drill called “Garmakers.”

Minneapolis city council president Barbara Johnson expressed optimism when asked by Sports Headliners about the chances of a Vikings stadium bill being passed this year by the state legislature.  “I think it’s pretty good because I think the legislature is concerned about losing the Vikings,” she said.

Johnson doesn’t expect that stadium support will be a priority for legislators from Minneapolis, but some might be for a bill depending on the funding source. She said because the stadium cost could be $800 million or more, the largest sports venue expense in Minnesota history, funding is too much for the city or county.  “It has to be at a minimum a metro wide source and best if it is state,” she said.

Johnson also said the Metrodome site for a new stadium saves “$200 to $300 million” compared with another site because of infrastructure already in place.  She said the delay in making the Metrodome operational again following the roof collapse is driven by safety reasons and not politically motivated.

The funding drive for a new Gophers baseball stadium has reached $4.5 million, $3 million short of the goal.

Most of the offseason attention concerning Twins middle infielders has been about newcomer Tsuyoshi Nishioka and veteran Alexi Casilla, but management will be interested, too, in how Trevor Plouffe, Luke Hughes and Matt Tolbert play in spring training.  The shortstop and second base starters will be determined in March and so, too, will their backups.

Boosters of second year Wild coach Todd Richards say he’s growing into his job.  Richards, who had never before been an NHL head coach, excels at preparation and is a passionate leader.  The Wild’s improved play recently is indicative of the up and down results in the parity oriented NHL.  Richards is a big fan of the other pro teams in town and the Gophers.

A golf panel, including University of Minnesota golf director John Harris, will be featured at the C.O.R.E.S luncheon in Bloomington on Thursday, March 10.  C.O.R.E.S members can make reservations by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.  C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

Apple Valley ninth grade point guard Tyus Jones was injured in a December 7 game and didn’t return until January 25 because of a lacerated kidney.  He had played three games for the Eagles as of Monday when his mother Debbie emailed to report: “Every practice and every game gets better for him.”

Tubby Smith sent two freshmen to meet with the media after yesterday’s 82-69 loss to No.1 ranked Ohio State.  It was the first time in memory that the Gophers coach has dispatched two first year players instead of upper classmen to participate in the post-game press conference.

It was freshmen guards Austin Hollins, Chip Armelin and Maverick Ahanmisi who won praise from Smith yesterday.  He “liked” the play of the three who totaled only three turnovers in 63 combined minutes in the game, while front line juniors Trevor Mbawke, Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson had 12 turnovers in 72 minutes.

Smith said he “didn’t like” the performance of that trio who not only turned the ball over but had foul problems, four each.  It was a very long afternoon for Iverson with five turnovers, four fouls, one rebound and no points in 14 minutes.

Mbawke, who had four turnovers in 25 minutes, picked up his third foul with about 13 minutes remaining in the second half, then got his fourth several minutes later and went out of the game not to return.  Sampson had three turnovers in 33 minutes and went scoreless in the second half after having 14 points at halftime.

Mbawke, Sampson and Iverson helped make the Gophers the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the Big Ten going into the game, but Ohio State out rebounded Minnesota 39-33 including a 22-9 difference in offensive rebounds.  Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said his team prioritized rebounding before the game and that because the Gophers are aggressive shot blockers (have been league leaders) it “opens up some avenues” for his players to have second chances.

The Gophers (5-6 in the Big Ten) lost their third of four games without injured point guard Al Nolen.  Minnesota misses his playmaking, particularly the ability to drive to the basket and score or create an opportunity for teammates.  The Gophers perhaps took a small step toward solving the problem with Armelin who scored a career high 14 points, showing speed to the basket and ability to improvise his shot.

Hollins got his first start, played 32 minutes and scored eight points while Ahanmisi had only one turnover in eight minutes while directing the team.  Maybe Ahanmisi plays more in place of Nolen starting with Thursday night’s home game against Illinois, or perhaps even Armelin who has been a shooting guard in high school and with the Gophers.

“I am pretty much confident enough to try it,” Armelin said yesterday.

Nolen’s replacement in the last four games, Blake Hoffarber, hurt his knee yesterday and even though Smith expects him to be back for Illinois, Hoffarber, a shooting guard, is playing out of position.  Asked after the game if his freshmen will play more minutes against Illinois than they have been during the Big Ten schedule, Smith said they certainly will if his veterans don’t play better.