Author: David Shama

Tubby Smith’s statements about his future as Minnesota’s basketball coach satisfy Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi.  During an interview with Sports Headliners on Saturday, Maturi also said that if Smith does leave it will probably not be because of compensation, and that the athletic department wants to build a new practice facility “sooner rather than later” but the planning and approval process is just developing.

Smith’s job status is speculated about locally and nationally almost daily.  A former national championship coach at Kentucky who is under contract at Minnesota and has finished two seasons here, Smith’s name has been rumored with job vacancies this year at multiple schools, the latest being Virginia.  Smith has coaching and personal ties to the state of Virginia but has said repeatedly he’s “happy” at Minnesota.

Charlottesville TV station WVIR quoted Smith last Wednesday on its Website as saying: “I have a job, I have a great job. We’re enjoying Minnesota. We have no reason to be looking at anything else, and we’re very happy where we are. It’s flattering sometimes but it can be a distraction. It’s good to be wanted, but it’s more important to be needed. I feel like I’m not only wanted at Minnesota, but needed there as well.”

That statement, or a similar one, may not satisfy someone who wants Smith, 57, to say Minnesota will be his last coaching job.   “He’s made the statement that he’s happy at Minnesota and is going to stay, and I believe that,” Maturi said.   “We’ve made the statement that we’re ecstatic to have him here and we’re going to do everything we can to keep him. ..”

Maturi said he will never instruct his coaches regarding statements in these circumstances.  Could Smith make even a stronger statement?  “What stronger statement can you make?  That’s not for me to do,” Maturi said. “Tubby and I have spoken.  I think he’s happy at Minnesota.  I think he believes he can be successful at Minnesota.  I think he believes that we’re committed and that we have kept our word in what we’re going to do. ..”

When Smith was hired Maturi said there was discussion about a new practice facility, the kind many powerful basketball programs already have.  Such a facility is both of practical use and a resource to impress recruits.  Maturi said there’s no decision yet where such a facility will be and how much it will cost.  “To say it’s green lighted would be not fair to the process but to say that we’re committed to getting this done would be accurate,”  he said.

It’s believed another school could offer Smith salary and other incentives totaling $3 million or more.  At Minnesota, Smith’s total package can pay him more than $2 million and for this year his guaranteed compensation is $1,775,000.  Maturi doesn’t think Smith will leave for more money but that if the coach felt a lack of commitment and support he would.  Potentially that could include frustration with facilities, recruiting budgets and staff salaries, but Maturi didn’t say these are presently issues.

The University has a salary freeze and even in better times the financially challenged athletic department isn’t believed to be in position for a bidding war against the richest of schools to keep its basketball and football coaches.  “We have to be sensitive to all of the economy,” Maturi said.  “We have to be sensitive to all of the University and I think coach Smith understands that.”

Joe Mauer’sback problems are a “headache” for all concerned including fans who wonder if the 25-year-old batting champion should be moved from catcher to another position.  Persistent inflammation in the lower back leaves anyone who has experienced years of back pain concerned about how Mauer will perform this season and beyond.  Catcher seems the worst position Mauer could play.

The Twins-Cincinnati 6 p.m. game on Thursday will be telecast on FSN.  Next Sunday’s noon game with St. Louis will air on WFTC, Ch. 29.

Kentucky, the school that Smith left to come here, didn’t make the NCAA tournament.  ESPN broadcaster Brent Musburger, talking on a Big Ten Tournament telecast, said “shame” on Kentucky fans who were so critical of Smith when he was in Lexington.

Minneapolis Community Technical College coach Jay Pivec, whose team lost in the Division III junior college national championship game earlier this month, reported via e-mail that three of his players are receiving lots of interest from Division II four year schools but no commitments yet.  The three are guard Sean Mayberry, and wings Cameron Hodges and Cortez Wallace.  They helped the Mavericks to a 53-10 two-year record, according Pivec.

Pivec has been friends with Kansas coach Bill Self for years and the Jayhawks practiced at MCTC last Thursday morning when they were here for the NCAA tournament games at the Metrodome.

Five MIAC men’s basketball players were named to the D3hoops.com All-West Region team. Carleton senior forward Zach Johnson (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) was a first team All-Region selection.  Bethel senior guard Tim Madson (Redwood Falls, Minn./Redwood Valley) and St. Thomas junior guard Joe Scott (St. Anthony, Minn./DeLaSalle) were second team selections.  Augsburg senior forward Nate Alm (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Concordia sophomore forward John Fraase (Bismarck, N.D./Century) were third team choices.  St. Thomas head coach Steve Fritz, completing his 29th season, was chosen West Region Coach of the Year after his Tommies finished 30-1.

Zyg Kauls just finished his 42^nd season as Mounds View head basketball coach.  His team won the Suburban East Conference title and he plans to coach again next season.

Zach Parise, the former Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep who was born in Minneapolis, deserves NHL MVP consideration for his play with New Jersey, a team that’s second in the Eastern Conference with 97 points.  Parise is second in goals with 41 and fourth    in points, 88, among NHL players.

Former Gopher Blake Wheeler, now with Boston, is tied for first in the NHL in plus-minus points with 36.

The 10 candidates for the 2009 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player, are: Louie Caporusso, Michigan; Matt Gilroy, Boston University; Chad Johnson, Alaska Fairbanks; Zane Kalemba, Princeton; Jacques Lamoureux, Air Force; Jamie McBain, Wisconsin; David McIntyre, Colgate; Viktor Stalberg, Vermont; Brad Thiessen, Northeastern; and Colin Wilson, Boston University.  Fans can vote at www.hobeybaker.com

Darren Sharper, who will be 34 in November, is likely to be a starter at free safety for New Orleans after leaving the Vikings as a free agent.  Sharper told Sports Headliners last year he wasn’t interested in finishing his career as a reserve.

Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about starting cornerback Cedric Griffin who recently signed a contract extension: “We are glad to have Cedric as our right cornerback going forward.  He is an aggressive, physical, contact football player, whose best football is in front of him.”  Griffin, a second round draft choice in 2006, has started 38 of 46 games.  He had one interception last season but ranked among the team leaders in tackles.

The Friends of South High Foundation invite the public to attend a ground breaking event on Wednesday beginning at 2:45 p.m. for a new building that will provide rest rooms, ticketing, concessions and storage for athletics.  The building will be located adjacent to Les Bernard Athletic Field, 20^th Ave. South and 31^st Street, across from South High.  For more information, contact Jim Bloom, 952-941-3778.

Win Willy, a horse owned by Jerry and Marlene Myers of Minneapolis, could qualify for the Kentucky Derby on May 2.  An offer to buy the horse for $3 million was turned down last week, according to the Canterbury Park Web site, https://www.canterburypark.blogspot.com/

Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman had his 89^th birthday earlier this month.