Author: David Shama

Dutcher and others recognize, though, that Smith, 58, has an very good job here and probably could stay until he retires.  His annual compensation of nearly $2 million is exceptional among college coaches.  In a pro sports town, Smith finds himself under way less pressure from the public than at basketball crazy places like Kentucky and Indiana.  His comfort level is enhanced, too, by working for athletic director Joel Maturi, a person anyone would choose for a next door neighbor and a man of integrity.

Dutcher believes Smith has found something else here to his liking.  “Another thing Tubby has mentioned is he’s been really surprised at the level of play in the Minnesota high schools,” Dutcher said. “I think he came in thinking he was going to have to recruit 100 percent out of state, and all at once he’s saying, ‘Hey, at least 50 percent of my roster can be right here.’ ”

Smith’s Big Ten records at Minnesota are 8-10, 9-9 and 9-9.  The first season the Gophers made the NIT; the last two teams earned NCAA invitations.  Dutcher said Smith’s total work here is “solid” and clearly an upgrade over predecessor Dan Monson.  Then Dutcher said something surprising about Smith whose teams regularly sellout Williams Arena (capacity 14,625) for Big Ten home games.

“I base a coach’s program on attendance,” Dutcher said. “If the people believe in the program, are filling the arena, they believe that the program is solid and probably on an upswing.  When you start losing fans like happened during the Monson years…the attendance dropped, and dropped and dropped, then the AD’s and college presidents are forced to make a change.  I don’t think this year (2010) built on the reputation, but I don’t think it lost any ground either.  After all, they were an NCAA team.”

Dutcher said there are different ways to consider common criticisms of Smith’s teams including lack of offensive plan, confusing substitutions and poor clock management.  Dutcher didn’t offer validity to any of them and said there are always people unhappy about something.

Although not uncommon in the Big Ten, the Gophers did have their struggles on the road.  They were 3-6 in conference road games, 3-7 overall.  “The Gophers are kind of two teams,” Dutcher said. “They’re one team in Williams Arena, with the… (defensive) pressure and the running up and down the floor, and on the road they’re a much more cautious offensive team and much more cautious defensive team.   Maybe you have to do that.  It’s not a criticism.  It’s an observation.”

If Smith stays here he’s almost a lock to see successful fundraising result in a new practice facility.  Dutcher said the age of Williams Arena is a recruiting detriment and a new practice facility will help ease that burden.

Again, will Smith stay?  Who knows for sure and what’s to be believed?  Dutcher and others found it a bit curious that before last week’s NCAA tournament Smith publicly praised assistant coach Vince Taylor as a man ready to run his own program.  Some could view that sales job as evidence Smith was on his way out of Minneapolis and wanted Taylor to replace him.

Dutcher is willing to believe Smith had no motives beyond showcasing his assistant for other schools.  “I will take him at his word that he thinks here’s a guy that deserves a chance and he wants people to know that he’s got an assistant that has earned the right to have his own team,” Dutcher said.

With the team only expected to lose seniors Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick, the Gophers could have another NCAA team next season.  Those prospects are enhanced if point guard Al Nolen regains his eligibility and power forward Trevor Mbakwe has his team suspension lifted following resolution of a legal issue in Florida.

One matter Dutcher said that clearly needs to be resolved is the status of power forward Royce White who received mega publicity during the basketball season but never played because of off the court problems.  Although he’s not in school, there remains this speculative cloud about White and the Gophers that he might rejoin the program.  Dutcher said the White saga has been a distraction.

By next season the Gophers need fewer off court distractions and that hopefully will include rumors about losing their coach.

The Twins have already sold-out more than a dozen of their 81 home dates and set a franchise record with over 22,000 season tickets, but don’t count on Target Field being expanded beyond its present capacity of 39,504, according to a Twins executive.

“I really doubt it,” Patrick Klinger told Sports Headliners on Wednesday.  “We were built on such a small foot print, 8½ acres.”

The new ballpark is surrounded by neighboring facilities and infrastructure.  “We needed a crowbar, axel grease and a good shove in the back to get it (the stadium) in,” the Twins vice president of marketing said.

Target Field’s capacity is among the smallest in the American League but fewer seats meant less construction cost.  The capacity creates incentive for ticket buyers to purchase seats ahead of time to ensure they see games of their choosing.

The Twins expect to draw more than 3 million fans to the new ballpark.  Klinger said the limited capacity will not be a financial problem for the franchise in the years ahead if demand for seats remains high and ticket pricing is adjusted to keep pace with other costs.

Except for 100 places in the left field area (Budweiser Roof Deck), no plans are in place yet for standing room tickets.  Klinger said initially the club wants to test stadium operations but may sell standing room tickets in parts of the facility later in the season.

The Twins open their regular season schedule at Target Field on Monday, April 12.  The last two Twins opening days had wintry weather in Minneapolis but it wasn’t a problem because of the Metrodome.  Klinger said if games are postponed because of weather in the series opener against Boston those games can be made up on open dates.  The three-game series against the Red Sox, April 12, 14 and 15 is sold out.

The concourses have radiant heating to help fans warm themselves.  There are protected areas throughout the stadium to minimize wind, cold and sun.