Author: David Shama

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners he’s “excited” about the possibility of the Big Ten Conference adding a 12^th school, creating two six-team divisions and playing a league championship game in December.  He said it all could happen in the “not too distant future.”

These potential historic changes were discussed earlier this spring at a meeting of the conference’s football coaches.  While no vote was taken, nor policy statement developed, Brewster said he didn’t “sense any negativity” toward the possible changes that would include the Big Ten’s first membership change since about 20 years ago when Penn State became the 11^th conference school.

“It was discussed at length by our coaches at the most recent Big Ten meetings,” Brewster said.  “I don’t know that (conference commissioner) Jim (Delany) has stepped out and has a particular stance at this point but I know that it’s certainly been something that has been tossed around and discussed.  And I think as we look at things to help our conference that’s certainly got to be something that we entertain seriously.”

The Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference, both with 12 teams, have two divisions and play a league title game between the division champions.  Brewster thinks “other conferences” have moved ahead of the Big Ten with their December marketing exposure and playing time for their teams.

No doubt Brewster, who seemingly thinks about recruiting 24-7, likes the idea of high school prospects watching a Big Ten showcase game.  And then there’s bowl game preparation, too, nearer to the dates of those games. The Big Ten’s bowl record in 2008-09 was 1-6 with losses that included prestigious bowls like the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl.

“With our season ending the middle of November basically, there’s a long way (to bowl season),” Brewster said.  “You look at our bowl records and they haven’t been as positive.  You’d like to think that continuing to play into the month of December would certainly help us as we prepare to play a game in January.  And again particularly from an exposure standpoint there’s no way to put a price, a dollar value on a nationally televised Saturday evening Big Ten championship game.”

Adding a team from the population heavy East seems likely for when and if expansion comes.  Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Boston College have been mentioned but Brewster said “probably Rutgers makes the most sense.”  The school is only a short drive from New York City, has vastly improved its football program and has the strong academics the Big Ten likes.  “I am not stumping for Rutgers by any means but that market is certainly appealing,” Brewster said.

The Gophers would most likely be in a Western Division that included Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Northwestern.  The sixth school is the most difficult to speculate upon but whatever the mix is, it appeals to Brewster.  “I am fully in favor of a two-division conference with an eventual champion being crowned on the field,” he said.

Brewster also said he hasn’t seen the “true decision makers” (the commissioner and conference presidents) voice their position on conference expansion and a December title game.  He wouldn’t speculate as to whether the changes would be implemented within, say, five years.  “…I haven’t heard a president, nor have I heard the commissioner, come out with an exact stance on this issue,” he said.

An NHL source told Sports Headliners on Tuesday he believes three Gophers will be chosen during the first round of the NHL draft on June 26.

The source, who has experience scouting and coaching in the NHL, requested anonymity while talking about Zach Budish, Nick Leddy and Jordan Schroeder.  Budish and Leddy will be freshmen with the Gophers this fall, and Schroeder a sophomore.

Schroeder led all college freshmen in scoring last season and there’s been speculation he will be the first of the three drafted but the source said it might be Budish.  “He might go in the top half of the first round,” the source said.

He is becoming more impressed with the former Edina High School forward who although not a classic skater is a “tough, nasty” player with leadership abilities.  “He’s getting a lot of scouting attention,” the source added.

He described Leddy, a defenseman who played for Eden Prairie, as an “electrifying” skater and also “very good with the puck.”  Although he’s only about 5-11, 180 pounds, the scout disagrees with those who think Leddy isn’t big enough for the NHL.

Schroeder, about 5-9, 180 pounds, isn’t a classic first round forward prospect and he often doesn’t dazzle scouts but the source said he has a “great shot” and his hockey IQ is as “high as I’ve ever seen” and compared it with Wayne Gretzky.  “The really impressive thing with him is that wherever he’s been, he’s been the best player on the team,” the source added.

None of the three Gophers is ready for the NHL and all probably will play with Minnesota next season. The source said Schroeder might be ready to play effectively in the minors but he, too, will benefit from college hockey.

Look for the Wild to take American players in the upcoming NHL draft.  The Wild’s roster is expected to have more U.S. players in the years ahead, according to the source who commented about Budish, Leddy and Schroeder.

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster said the athletic department has turned down an offer to play at Michigan in 2010.  The two teams would have met in a non-conference game because Michigan and Minnesota aren’t scheduled against each other in 2009 and 2010.  The Gophers said no because the week prior to the proposed 2010 game Minnesota plays annual national title contender USC at home.  The Gophers have significantly improved the quality of nonconference opponents they’re scheduling with 2009 opponents including Air Force and California.  The 2010 nonconference home schedule still has two openings.

Brewster will have Garrett Brown, Eric Decker, and Lee Campbell as his player representatives at the annual Big Ten media gathering this summer in Chicago.

Brewster and Vikings coach Brad Childress were the high bidders at a charity event for a trip for four to Costa Rica.  Brewster said it’s most likely the trip will wait until next year.

“Wally the Beerman” (Wally McNeil) and wife Joyce will celebrate their 21^st wedding anniversary this Sunday at Canterbury Park where the two are race horse owners.  Although their anniversary date is June 23, the two will celebrate with family on Sunday.  This has been a difficult spring; McNeil had triple bypass heart surgery on May 18.

Former Vikings assistant Dean Dalton, who coached running backs here, believes wide receiver-runner Percy Harvin, the team’s No. 1 draft choice, will put “schematic” pressures on opposing defenses when he takes direct snaps from the center in a “wildcat” or shot gun offense.  A quick insertion of Harvin into the game will change the Vikings from a conventional quarterback under center offense to one where Harvin could run, pass or hand the ball off to All Pro running back Adrian Peterson.

“Wow, what a great talent (Harvin),” Dalton said.  “He’s got tremendous ball skills and just an explosive nature. And an elusiveness in space with the ball in his arm. …”

Baseball historian Dave Mona said no A’s player has won a batting championship since the franchise relocated to Oakland in 1968.  The team’s home field, the Oakland Coliseum, has more foul territory than any other park, giving pitchers a significant advantage over hitters.  Mona said that by contrast he’s been told the Twins’ new ballpark, Target Field, will have the second smallest foul ball territory after Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The Twins finish their four game series in Oakland today, having won two of three games so far.

You wonder whether having left handed hitters Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel bat in consecutive order is something the Twins need to abandon permanently.  The threesome makes it easier for managers to maneuver their relief pitchers against them.