Gophers Basketball – Page 12 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Here’s the Scoop on U Men & Women’s Hoops Tickets

Posted on November 5, 2024November 5, 2024 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota men’s and women’s basketball teams open their seasons this week with home games. Data shows both programs have a lot of ticket availability for their games at 14,625 seat Williams Arena.

As of last week, the men’s program had sold 4,482 full season tickets including 242 to faculty and staff. That compared with 4,800 for the 2023-2024 season. There has been no significant pricing change for either men’s or women’s public season tickets. Ticket information was obtained from the U through the request process by Sports Headliners.

The women’s program had sold 2,309 full season tickets as of last week including 99 to faculty and staff. That compared with 2,424 tickets for the 2023-2024 season.

The women Gophers opened their season Monday night before an announced crowd of 2,647. Dawn Plitzuweit, entering her second season as coach, saw the Gophers defeat Central Connecticut State, 89-48.

Coach Ben Johnson’s team opens its season Wednesday night against Oral Roberts.

With their schedules just beginning, both the men’s and women’s programs may sell additional season tickets, but totals won’t change significantly.

The Gopher women averaged 4,483 fans per game last season. The men averaged 8,140.

Sellouts are rare for either program. The U is projecting over 12,000 for the men’s game with Wisconsin on March 5, with 10,000-plus for Purdue on January 2.

The U women are projected to draw more than 5,000 for the Iowa game February 6, with over 4,000 for the Wisconsin and Indiana games January 26 and February 9 respectively.

The U report said 3,168 single game tickets have been sold so far for women’s home games. Also, 120 tickets have been purchased as part of mini plan ticket packages, a 75 percent decline year-over-year.

Students are admitted free to women’s games, but they must purchase tickets to see the men. The student season ticket total is 2,600 and up from 2,056 for 2023-2024.

The U report said 246 tickets have been sold in mini plan ticket packages for the men’s program. This is up 58 percent year-over-year but down from last season’s final total of 575. Single game tickets sold for men’s games as of last week were 3,590.

Asked what reasons the public is giving for not buying women’s season tickets, the U report responded with the following: “general disinterest, change in life/event circumstances, (and) too many games.”

Regarding the men’s program: “change in life/event circumstances, unhappy with NIL changes, (and) general disinterest.”

The U said reasons cited for purchasing women’s season tickets are: “increased attention and interest in the WBB landscape as a whole, (and) more premium matchups with the expansion of the Big Ten.”

Reasons for purchasing men’s season tickets: “improvement in team performance during the 2023-2024 season, trust and confidence that coach Ben Johnson will continue to lead and grow the program, (and) more premiums matchups with the expansion of the Big Ten.”

The women’s team was 20-16 overall and 5-13 in the Big Ten last season. Only two teams, Northwestern and Rutgers, finished lower in the 14-team standings.

USA Today Sports Network’s prediction for the coming season is Minnesota will finish in a tie for ninth in the now 18-team conference. The order of finish was based on a vote by individuals who cover the conference.

The men’s team is projected to finish last in the Big Ten by many in the media. The Gophers were 9-11 in league games last season and 19-15 overall. Eight teams had better Big Ten records than Minnesota. The previous two seasons Minnesota finished last in the conference.

The women’s and men’s programs have ticket selling attractions in guard Mara Braun and power forward Dawson Garcia, both Minnesota natives.

Braun is on the 20-player watch list for the 2025 Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award. Braun was named All Big Ten Honorable Mention by both the coaches and media last season, despite playing only 20 games due to an injury. She averaged a team leading 17 points per game and is the second-highest returning scorer in the Big Ten this season. Braun was second in the nation last season in free throw percentage at 94.8 percent.

Garcia is on the 2024-25 Jersey Mikes Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List. He was named a top 50 preseason pick by ESPN and CBS Sports in October. He averaged 17.6 points last season while being named second and third team All-Big Ten. He is the top returning scorer in the conference.

Minnesota men’s basketball was a national power in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Sellouts were commonplace, but interest has been declining for a long time. For example, the public season tickets total in 2009-2010 was 9,946 or about twice the final total for the 2023-2024 season. As recently as 2019-2020 public season tickets were at 6,820.

In 2019-2020 the average attendance was 10,232, the lowest figure since 1970-1971. Attendance has declined even more since then. Last season, Johnson’s third leading the Gophers, average home attendance had dipped about 20 percent since 2020.

Worth Noting

The St. Thomas women’s team earned a season opening 84-81 win at home last night in overtime over Milwaukee before an announced crowd of 538. Jade Hill set a school record in the Division I era by scoring 35 points.

The St. Thomas men also opened at home last night, playing after the women’s game before an announced crowd of 1,353. The Tommies defeated North Central, 96-71.

Former Minnesota Mr. Basketball Tyus Jones, from Apple Valley High School, is receiving praise in Phoenix. The veteran point guard, 28, signed with the Suns in the offseason and he’s provided playmaking the team didn’t have last season benefiting scorers like Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. In six games (five wins) he has just five turnovers and is averaging 6.6 assists per game.

Al Nuness, 78, the former Golden Gophers basketball captain, is working as a student supervisor at Chanhassen High School. A retired longtime executive at Jostens, Nuness started his post-college career teaching and coaching. Nuness is a cousin of Tyus Jones and his brother Tre Jones.

John Hynes, who took over as head coach of the Wild in late November of last year, has the team off to a fast start and will speak to the Capital Club breakfast group Thursday, November 14 at the Wild’s executive offices in downtown St. Paul. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Chanhassen High School junior Andrew Ballou, who as a sophomore was one of four Minnesota prep golfers to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship, has made a college commitment to North Dakota State.

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Vikes Get a Potential ‘Difference Maker’ Back With T.J. Return

Posted on October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 by David Shama

The Vikings, now with two consecutive losses after starting the season at 5-0, will get a potential boost in playmaking when tight end T.J. Hockenson makes his 2024 debut in the team’s next game—Sunday, November 3 at home against the Colts.

Hockenson hasn’t played since Christmas Eve of last year when he severely injured his knee with ACL and MCL tears. It’s been a long stretch of rehab and recovery after reconstructive surgery.

Anticipation was Hockenson might return last Sunday against the Lions or Thursday night for the Rams game. Unless something unusual happens, November 3 should see the return of the 27-year-old who prior to the season Pro Football Focus ranked as the fourth best tight end in the NFL.

T.J. Hockenson image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

An authority who was a front office leader with a couple of NFL teams emphasized the importance of having the sixth-year veteran on the field with his pass catching and running ability. “I think he might have been a difference maker (against the Lions),” he said. “(Sub) Johnny Mundt had a bad game. He had two holding penalties, had a dropped pass. Missed a block on a screen.

“He’s been an okay replacement for Hockenson as that kind of receiving tight end. … I think he (Hockenson) can take pressure off (wide receivers Justin) Jefferson and (Jordan) Addison, can open things up in the running game. He could be a difference-maker. “

Seven games into the season injuries complicate and compromise how the Vikings perform. Linebacker Blake Cashman has missed the last two games because of a toe injury. The authority, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cashman’s absence is significant while referring to the former Golden Gopher as having a “Pro Bowl caliber season” and being a player “that kind of controls the middle of the field.”

Cashman’s availability for the Colts is TBD, but not for star offensive left tackle Christian Darrisaw who suffered ACL and MCL tears in the Rams game and is out for the season. Replacement David Quessenberry struggled to keep pass rushers away from Viking QB Sam Darnold.

The season debut of Dalton Risner could help the offensive line outlook. Expected to be available for the Colts game after recovering from a back issue, Risner can play multiple positions on the offensive line. The same is true of starting left guard Blake Brandel whose career starts include time at left tackle.

Risner could slide into left guard while Brandel switches positions. Before Darrisaw’s injury it was thought Risner might provide competition for right guard Ed Ingram who has his critics. “He still has his struggles at times, but he is a pretty good run blocker,” the source said.

The Vikings coaches are likely sorting out multiple options for shuffling the o-line. Rookie Walter Rouse, a sixth-round selection, was impressive in the preseason and could move into the starting lineup. Possibly at right tackle with Brian O’Neill sliding over to fill Darrisaw’s spot?

The Vikings were talking about better execution after both the Lions and Ram games. Even with Darrisaw, and the team’s other potential Pro Bowl tackle, O’Neill, the offensive line has been part of the problem with its false starts and giving up sacks.

The Vikings, who didn’t give up 30 points in any of their first five games, have now lost games by scores of 31-29 and 30-20. Against the Rams, Minnesota had no sacks and few quarterback pressures.

Will GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah be shopping before the November 5 trade deadline? Looking for cornerback help, or offensive and defensive line additions. The Vikings don’t have much in future draft capital with only one first round and two fifth round picks for 2025.

A rumor with steam is the Vikings could trade for Dexter Lawrence II, the Giants’ defensive tackle who is among the best at his position in the NFL. The possibility enthralls Minnesota fans, but the source quoted here pours cold water on it. “Yeah, I think they’re dreaming.“

His reasoning? Yes, the 2-5 Giants are in free-fall and look to be rebuilding. But the club has Lawrence on a contract that reportedly has a value of about $22 million per year and getting rid of him would still leave the Giants responsible for “dead money”—meaning bonus money from the contract would go against the New York salary cap.

The source also sees Lawrence as “maybe their best player” and a rebuilding piece for the struggling franchise.

A more likely move to plug up holes in the defensive line could be a trade with the 1-6 Browns to bring back 6-3, 335-pound Dalvin Tomlinson. Now 30, Tomlinson was outstanding for the Vikings before signing with the Browns as a free agent in 2023 and might be available for a 2025 fifth round pick.

Worth Noting

Dallas Turner, before the season a favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year, is playing minimal snaps. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Turner is progressing in his development and “I think he’s going to make a big-time impact for us.”

The Big Ten’s reputation takes a hit in the preseason AP men’s college basketball national rankings. Despite expanding to 18 member schools, the league’s highest ranked team is Purdue at No. 4. Three other teams in the top 25 are: Indiana at 17, UCLA 22, and Rutgers 25.

Former Gopher Cam Christie, not unexpectedly, hasn’t played in the Clippers’ first two games. The 2024 NBA second round draft pick will be a developmental player just like former Gopher and Hopkins star Amir Coffey was, but now sees regular minutes for the Clippers. After two games Coffey is averaging 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Former Twins outfielder Brent Rooker ranked No. 5 in the majors last season with a barrel rate of 16.6 percent, per an Mlb.com story last week. Barrel is a slugging stat that measures exit velocity from a batted ball and launch angle.

Ahead of Rooker in percentage are four players in the World Series: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton.

Stew Thornley, the Minnesota-based author of many sports books, visited the grave of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda in Whittier, California earlier this month. At one time Thornley had visited the graves of every baseball hall of famer. There are now about 10 that he hasn’t.

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Flip’s Ties to Timberwolves End with Towns Trade to Knicks

Posted on October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 by David Shama

Notes, quotes and observations from the Timberwolves beat as the team opens practice this week.

The last connection to the Flip Saunders era is gone now with this week’s trade sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. Saunders, the beloved former U point guard, Wolves coach and president of basketball ops, made Towns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft before tragically passing away in October of that year.

Saunders was 60 years old when he died from cancer. He left behind a plan to make the Wolves a playoff contender, with the versatile and deft shooting 7-foot Towns as the center piece.

There was debate before the draft whether Towns or 6-10 Jahlil Okafor was most worthy of going No. 1. Saunders made the right selection in taking Towns who became Rookie of the Year averaging 18.3 points per game, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Okafor had a disappointing NBA career and last played in the league in 2020-2021.

Towns, who turns 29 in November, is one of the best shooting big men ever but his lack of consistency in big games has tarnished his reputation. Still, he was coveted by the Knicks and is reunited with coach Tom Thibodeau, a demanding leader who several years ago coached Towns with the Wolves.

The Knicks fill their center position with an All-Star while the Wolves receive an All-Star big man in power forward Julius Randle, versatile guard Donte DiVincenzo, and a future first round protected draft choice via the Pistons. “Minnesota gets two quality players,” Vinny Del Negro told Sports Headliners.

Del Negro, a former NBA player and executive, said the deal “made sense for both teams.” The Wolves were able to reduce salary, saving millions in payroll and luxury tax penalties, and stabilizing their financial outlook.

Karl-Anthony Towns photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

There is no certainty whether the trade makes the Wolves even more likely to make a deep playoff run or take a step back. Towns’ talent is enormous, including his defensive presence that contributed so much to knocking the defending NBA champion Nuggets out of last spring’s playoffs. Whether the 2024-2025 roster is more talented than last year’s version may not even be the determiner in whether the Wolves can go beyond the Western Conference Finals as they did this year. Results could depend on how everyone blends together and key players avoiding injury.

“…We think we can play with anybody,” said Tim Connelly, the Wolves president of basketball operations. He indicated the Wolves want to be positioned financially to win now and in the long term. He also said he’s impressed with the offseason work done by the players making themselves the best “versions of themselves.”

While the players had an emotional bond with Towns, they also understand the NBA is a business that includes trades. “We have all the trust in the world in Tim and what he’s been able to do for this team in a short period of time, and where we’ve been able to get to,” said veteran point guard Mike Conley. “…From my understanding, they handled it better than probably any organization has probably ever handled trading somebody. Super professional and the way they worked their business. …”

The Wolves’ development may now be more than ever in the hands of 23-year-old All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, generally considered a top 10 player in the league. Last season, his fourth in the NBA, he averaged a career best 25.9 points per game and played for the gold medal winning US Olympic team in the summer.

“We continue to challenge Anthony because we think he can be one of the best players ever,” Connelly said. “We don’t say that lightly. With that expectation comes tremendous responsibility. Not just the last 20 games (of last season), he’s grown tremendously as a leader.

“He’s starting to find his voice where he’s more comfortable calling guys out in a very positive way. He’s one of the more positive great players I’ve been around. There’s no skipping steps. … I think when Anthony is locked in defensively there is no better on the ball defender in the NBA. And we’re just unbelievably encouraged by his development and really proud of him.”

Asked about the “one of the best ever” comment, Edwards replied: “Yea, I think he right.”

Edwards acknowledged that in addition to his all-around physical skills, he must have a superb work ethic to reach the highest levels of achievement and show he’s coachable. His goals over the summer included being in the weight room as much as possible “and take some fat off.”

Edwards said he begins training camp in the best physical shape of his pro career. Part of that is attributed to the physical challenge of preparing for and playing in the Olympics where his teammates included LeBron James, arguably one of the two or three greatest players ever.

Edwards didn’t offer details, but he said James has “like this little thing he do before every game.” Whatever it is, Edwards said it’s a great routine “that I stole.”

Edwards made 35.7 percent of his three-point shots, down from a career high of 36.9 the prior season. He made catching the basketball and shooting three pointers an offseason priority.

Among Edwards’ new teammates is veteran guard-forward Joe Ingles. He’s admired Edwards’ talent for awhile while playing for other teams and was attracted to signing with the Wolves as a free agent. “Obviously they’ve got ‘Ant’ who is probably more than likely going to be the face of the league soon,” Ingles said. “Just a great roster, a great coaching staff.”

Ingles turns 37 tomorrow (October 2) and for a short while will be the oldest player on the roster. Conley turns 37 on October 11.

Ingles has played with three other NBA teams including with the Jazz where he and Conley excelled in working pick-and-rolls with now Wolves center Rudy Gobert. Ingles, who will come off the bench to give the team spot minutes and hopefully a frequent playmaking spark, knows his presence in Minneapolis isn’t about stroking his ego.

“It’s about the team. It’s about winning. I am too old and too over the hill to be worried about myself at this point.”

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