Author: David Shama

The Wolves lost on the road to the Lakers in December, 98-86, the only game between the two teams so far this season.  The Wolves have lost five straight to Los Angeles dating back to the 2006-2007 season.

As of yesterday morning there were about 1,600 tickets remaining for the game.

Wolves’ rookie forward Kevin Love played in Los Angeles for UCLA so his name is well-known in the Southern California market.  He was asked about whether his performance in tonight’s game is more important than usual.  “Yeah, a little bit,” he said. “I want people to hear that I did well against the Lakers, the Clippers or a place like Portland (near his home town).  It is important but in the end it’s just another game.  We just want to get that W.”

Despite having the highest scoring average (22.7) among NBA players averaging a double-double in points and rebounds, Wolves’ center Al Jefferson wasn’t named to the Western Conference All-Star team.  That doesn’t mean, though, that a lot of people don’t think the 24-year-old low post scoring whiz isn’t deserving.  On Tuesday night, hosts Ahmad Rashad, Gary Payton and Chris Webber were advocating Jefferson’s selection.  During an interview on NBA TV they also coaxed him to say, “I am most definitely an all-star.”

The Big Ten Conference will have 22 former players and seven coaches with league connections in Sunday’s Super Bowl, according to a conference news release.  The Big Ten and ACC are tied for the lead among all conferences with 22 players on the two Super Bowl squads, Pittsburgh and Arizona.  The Gophers have more former players on the Pittsburgh roster than any other Big Ten school, strong safety Tyrone Carter, running back Gary Russell and tight end Matt Spaeth.

Stubhub.com listed Super Bowl tickets this week for under $2,000.00 and also a luxury suite for 16 at $127,888.00.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis, the former Wayzata linebacker who played four seasons for Ohio State, earned All-America recognition for the third time during his senior season, becoming only the sixth Big Ten player to ever accomplish that and the first since 1930 .

Local author Ross Bernstein is working on another “code” book, this one on the unwritten rules of football that will be a sequel to his baseball and hockey books.  He’s consulting with a Canadian company, too, on a documentary film that draws on material from his hockey book.

Another book project is with former St. Louis Cardinals offensive lineman Conrad Dobler.  Bernstein said Dobler has a friendship with golfer Phil Mickelson who is paying for the college education of Dobler’s children.  More on Bernstein at www.bernsteinbooks.com

Kevin Love told Sports Headliners on Sunday that despite the frustrations of his rookie season he doesn’t regret not staying at UCLA where last season as a freshman he was a first team All-American and led the Bruins to the Final Four.

“Nah, I never second guess myself, no matter what I do,” Love said.  “Even something as simple as whether it’s taking a jump shot, or going to the hole.  No, I feel like I made the right decision. Especially now.”

Love’s welcome to the NBA in early games included frequently having his shot blocked near the basket.  His medium range jump shot seemingly had stayed at UCLA where he also had success with three pointers.  Even free throws were often clank, not swish.  Defending bigger, more experienced players was a challenge, too.

But so far in 2009 his play has improved like a New Year’s resolution.  In games since the first of the year he is averaging 12.1 points and 10.1 rebounds, with several double-double games including 19 points and 15 rebounds on Sunday in a win over Chicago.  Love, who is averaging about 8.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, has helped the Wolves win 10 of 12 games in January.

The 20-year-old forward, who seems generously listed at 6-10, said his comfort in being a pro now versus earlier is much better.  Has he turned a page permanently in the New Year?

“I definitely hope so,” he said. “I felt like I hit the rookie wall a little bit early just trying to figure (out) everything.  One thing I can always do is rebound and play defense. …My confidence is high right now and hopefully I can keep it there.”

Love said his work ethic and desire to improve has been in place.  He’s been coming in to improve his basketball skills and body even on days off.  “I feel like hard work breeds confidence,” he said.

Love wants to finish his rookie season averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.  Talk with him about goals, though, and the conversation goes quickly to the team.  The Wolves have 16 wins after winning just 22 games all of last season.  “By the end of the season I think we can be very good,” he said.  “I am not going to put a number on how many games we’ll win.  By next season we’re gonna have a great group and we’re gonna know what we’re capable of.”

The words popular and coach almost seem like an oxymoron.  Not so, though, with Tubby Smith who almost two years into his assignment as Gopher basketball coach is still enjoying a honeymoon of popularity.

An admiring public nods its collective approval at Williams Arena and around town.  Students move their arms up and down in mock worship when Smith’s name is announced over the public address system prior to home games.  The fans, young and old, respond with enthusiastic applause usually reserved for star players, not coaches.

A friend called last week about a non-basketball subject, then closed his voice mail with this: “That Tubby, he’s really something.  Go Gophers!”

The Tubby phenomenon is mostly based on Smith’s prior coaching success at Kentucky (a national title and five conference championships) and the promise of similar results here.  It’s also fueled by the contrast between Smith and his failed predecessor Dan Monson who drove interest in the Gophers to lows not seen in about 40 years.

You can throw in another contributing factor.  Smith is a quality person who treats others with respect and consideration.  Ask the local media how many other coaches conduct their news conferences with such civility?  With Tubby you get a cordial “Good Evening,” or “I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”

Athletic Director Joel Maturi told KFAN’s Dan Barreiro last week that he considers Smith one of the “top five” coaches in the country.  He hopes other schools will pursue Smith because that means the Gophers are having success.  He guesses that Smith likes it here so well he won’t leave.

None of this is to predict that Smith’s honeymoon will continue indefinitely.  The popularity factor is predicated on team improvement, making the NCAA tournament and eventually winning championships.

Coaching with players Monson had recruited, the Gophers were 20-14 overall, 6-10 in the Big Ten Conference last season.  A sixth place finish in the conference bettered the ninth and 10^th place finishes of previous seasons.  This year’s team, with several Smith newcomers, is better (17-3 overall, ranked No. 24 in the country with a home game against Illinois tomorrow night).  But Smith will have to make these players better next season and prove that coming recruiting classes are good enough to make Minnesota a Big Ten power.

One day Smith might be a consensus choice as the best and most popular coach the Gophers have ever had.  He’s already being shown a lot of love.