Gophers Basketball – Page 128 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

ESPN’s Mark May: Gophers to Go 9-3

Posted on September 4, 2015September 4, 2015 by David Shama

Longtime ESPN football analyst Mark May told Sports Headliners last night he believes the Gophers will finish the season with a 9-3 regular season record. May made the prediction at TCF Bank Stadium prior to kickoff but he indicated win or lose he is buying into the program, saying a “win tonight catapults them into the national title picture.”

The Gophers lost 23-16 to No. 2 ranked TCU, a team that was 12-1 a year ago and a favorite to win the national championship. Nobody will have Minnesota in national title discussions anytime soon but May expects the Gophers to be better than last year’s 8-4 team and to contend for the West Division championship in the Big Ten Conference.

May praised Minnesota’s fifth-year coach Jerry Kill who inherited a bottom-feeder program in 2011. “I think you’ve got the right guy, for the right job,” he said about Kill who has made a career out of rebuilding programs.

There’s no reason for Gophers fans to be too discouraged about last night’s loss, despite the usual irrational comments from some disappointed fans who had unrealistic expectations. TCU is one of college football’s best teams and was favored by about 16 points. The Gophers, not even ranked in the top 25 nationally in polls, came within seven points of winning. Near the game’s conclusion Minnesota was within one long touchdown of tying the game and going ahead with an extra point.

Minnesota’s defense, predicted to be among the best in the Big Ten, exceeded expectations. TCU averaged 46.5 points per game last season and returns 10 of 11 starters including Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Trevone Boykin. But the Horned Frogs could produce only two touchdowns and three field goals last night. One of the touchdowns came after Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner fumbled, setting up an easy Horned Frogs touchdown starting at the Gophers’ 15 yard line.

Playmakers on defense were numerous including true freshman outside linebacker Julian Huff who made an impact rushing Boykin. Another Gopher in his debut game, redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Cody Poock, had seven tackles. Redshirt senior cornerback Briean-Boddy Calhoun made nine tackles (seven solo).

As expected, the Gophers’ offense looked like a project and the challenge of producing points was made more difficult playing without two of the best offensive linemen, redshirt senior tackle-guard Josh Campion and redshirt junior tackle Ben Lauer. The blocking was inconsistent, a word that described the work of the entire offense.

The Gophers are in search of playmakers and are without two of their stars from 2014, running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams who have moved on to the NFL. Last night senior wide receiver KJ Maye caught four passes for 73 yards including a 22-yard catch in the fourth quarter that made the score 23-17. Redshirt freshman running back Rodney Smith showed changes of speed and elusiveness in the open field like Cobb did last season. Smith, replacing senior Rodrick Williams whose first half fumble in the TCU was another game-changing miscue, ran for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Redshirt junior quarterback Mitch Leidner was impressive at times including on that late fourth quarter drive putting his team within seven points of going ahead. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 197 yards. He had some poor throws but despite challenging moments he demonstrated leadership and a strong will.

On both sides of the ball last night, and on special teams, the Gophers showed grit. That will be a key ingredient if they’re to make good on May’s prediction of a 9-3 season.

Worth Noting

Scout ranks the Gophers No. 35 in the national recruiting listings for 2016. Under Kill Minnesota has never finished that high in the rankings. Ryan Burns, publisher for Scout’s GopherDigest.com, told Sports Headliners the close game last night is “something they (Gophers recruiters) can point to” in building further momentum.

Burns said nine players the Gophers are recruiting will be on campus for the Michigan game at TCF Bank Stadium on October 31, Halloween night.

TCF Bank Stadium football capacity is 52,525 but a record crowd of 54,147 attended the game including fans who paid $40 for standing-room only tickets.

The M Club Room in the stadium where University of Minnesota letter winners and their friends and families socialize for Gophers games can accommodate about 200 people. On the walls are the names of about 7,000 individuals who have lettered in athletics at Minnesota.

The fourth season of selling beer and wine at the stadium for Gophers football games began last night. The commission revenues the previous three years were: $185,023, $325,567, and $557,597 last season. Athletic department spokesman Chris Werle said alcohol is provided as a service to fans and issued this statement via e-mail:

“Our philosophy is to provide the best in-game experience to our many fans and given that we reside in a market with multiple professional sports teams that serve beer at their events, our fans prefer that we do as well.”

Sports Illustrated describes the Vikings as “the sleeper’s sleeper” in its NFL preview issue that came out this week. The magazine predicts the Vikings, 7-9 last season, will finish at 10-6 and in second place in the NFC North but will just miss the playoffs. Writer Chris Burke praises the defense but frets about the offensive line.

S.I. forecasts the Packers winning the division at 12-4, followed by the Vikings, Lions (8-10) and Bears (3-13). The Ravens will defeat the Seahawks in Super Bowl 50.

College basketball coaches are cautious about the number of quality opponents they schedule for nonconference games. Gophers fans want to see nonconference games between Minnesota coach Richard Pitino and his father, Louisville coach Rick Pitino. It probably doesn’t enhance the likelihood of a multi-game series between the two now that Louisville has made a three-year commitment to play Indiana in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Gophers prep basketball recruits Eric Curry and Amir Coffey attended last night’s Minnesota-TCU football game on official visits to campus. Curry, a power forward from Little Rock, is a Rivals.com three-star recruit while Coffey, the shooting guard from Hopkins High School, is a four-star.

During the last school year 989 MIAC student-athletes were academic all-conference, achieving at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. More than 6,000 athletes—over 70 percent of them coming from the state of Minnesota—are expected to participate in MIAC sports again in 2015-2016.

The first game of the season involving an MIAC football team was played last night when Bethel won a nonconference matchup at Wisconsin-Stout, 35-20 as the Royals rallied with three fourth quarter touchdowns. Saint John’s, the preseason favorite to win the MIAC title as voted in a coaches poll, opens at home on Saturday against Buena Vista in another nonconference game.

Morning show host Dave Lee congratulated Sid Hartman earlier this week on his 60th anniversary of being on WCCO Radio. Hartman, who has been writing for Minneapolis newspapers even longer, turned 95 last March.

Wild regular season single game tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. on September 19, exclusively at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Beginning at noon that day, they will also be available at Ticketmaster locations and Wild.com. Tickets for preseason games are on sale now.

The four newest members of the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame will be honored in a ceremony Saturday. They are former jockey Tad Leggett; Minneapolis Star Tribune sports reporter Rachel Blount; state veterinarian Dr. Richard Bowman; and retired thoroughbred Wally’s Choice who ranks third all-time in earnings at Canterbury. “Wally the Beer Man” (Wally McNeil) and his wife Joyce McNeil and Canterbury Park board chair Curtis Sampson have been longtime owners of Wally’s Choice.

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Joe Mauer Re-Do on Contract Now Due?

Posted on August 31, 2015August 31, 2015 by David Shama

The opinion here is Joe Mauer should consider restructuring his contract with the Twins in a meeting with club officials after the season ends.

Mauer has three years remaining on a deal he signed in 2010 that pays him $23 million annually through 2018. His $184 million eight-year contract is the richest in Twins history, making him one of the best paid major league baseball players ever.

Mauer presumably has so much money from his current deal, plus earnings prior to his 2010 contract, he can take care of not only his immediate family but future generations. At a season-ending exit interview he and the Twins could propose adding three more years to his contract with no change in compensation. Instead of paying Mauer $23 million annually in 2016-2018, Mauer would make $11.5 million each year from 2016-2021.

My proposed change in contract benefits both the Twins and Mauer. The club’s annual payroll decreases with a revised Mauer deal, enhancing the possibility of the franchise adding more quality players to help the already revitalized team push toward championships in the years ahead. Even more practically, the organization can be better positioned to re-sign its nucleus of best contributors on the present roster.

A contract re-do would allow Mauer to demonstrate leadership and willingness to sacrifice for a franchise that has won four division titles during his 12-year career, but never a pennant or World Series, and has struggled through 90-plus loss seasons in 2011-2014. News about a revised contract would be a public relations coup for the Minnesota native who has heard plenty of boos and criticism during the last couple of years. He hit .277 with four home runs and 55 RBI during a disappointing season in 2014 that included a 15-day stretch on the disabled list. This season the health has been better but it’s more of the same statistically with a .271 average and eight home runs and 55 RBI.

With Mauer being 32 years old and coming off a concussion in 2013, doubts grow stronger about whether he will ever again be the player who started this season with a .319 career batting average—the seventh best in major league baseball since 1950. But Mauer’s numbers during the last two seasons for a first baseman and someone who usually hits No. 3 in the batting order are out of whack for what’s expected.

The Twins awarded Mauer his extraordinary contract because of his three batting titles, MVP season in 2009 and immense popularity in Minnesota as the club prepared to move into its new ballpark, planning to maximize ticket sales and other revenues at Target Field. Given those realities, paying Mauer a mega-sum was appropriate. But now circumstances and reality are different, and even if Mauer approaches past performance next year or in 2017, his past compensation and proposed earnings of $11.5 million through 2021 would be fair for a player who will be nearly 40 when that contract expires.

Mauer is known as a quiet figure in the clubhouse. He’s a good role model for teammates, though, because of his character and midwestern values. In the past he’s mostly made his statements with on-field performances at the plate, and also catching and now at first base. By re-doing his contract, he could make another statement and contribution to the organization.

And one other incentive, Joe. The taxman figures to go easier on you at $11.5 million per year than $23 million.

Worth Noting

The nonconference schedule for coach Richard Pitino’s team was announced this afternoon. Highlights include the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament in San Juan where the Gophers will play three games in four days starting with Temple on November 19. Clemson plays at Williams Arena on November 30 as part of the 2015 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

After home games December 5 and 8 against South Dakota and South Dakota State, Minnesota will play Oklahoma State in Sioux Falls on December 12 in a neutral court matchup at the Sanford Pentagon. The Gophers open their Big Ten schedule on the road at Ohio State on December 30. Minnesota’s first Big Ten home game is January 2 against Michigan State.

The Twins have won eight of their last 10 games and remain in contention for a wild card spot in the American League playoffs. Among the interesting storylines before the season was that starting pitchers Phil Hughes, Ricky Nolasco and Ervin Santana were thought to be key figures in determining the team’s chances of playing meaningful games in August. Hughes has struggled this season and been on the disabled list much of the month. Nolasco hasn’t pitched since May 31, and has also been on the disabled list. Santana missed the first half of the season because of a suspension and has been mostly disappointing since his return, although he was impressive yesterday giving up no runs in seven innings against the Astros while striking out 10 batters.

Before the season neither third baseman Miguel Sano nor center fielder Byron Buxton had played higher than Class AA in the minor leagues. The hope was at least one of the two super prospects would play for the Twins this year. Both are making major contributions to the big league club after recalls from the minors. After less than 200 at bats, Sano has hit 13 home runs with 45 RBI and has a .287 average. He has been invaluable for a team that sometimes struggles to score runs.

Sano has hit a home run every 13.2 times at the plate. Twins Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew homered at a rate of 14.2. He hit 573 career home runs.

Former Gophers athletic director McKinley Boston is retired from the same position at New Mexico State. Boston continues to live in New Mexico where his grandson Jaylon Boston, playing for Centennial High School, was second team all-state as a sophomore running back last season.

The Vikings placed veteran cornerback Josh Robinson on the physically unable to perform list today. They also cut offensive tackle Carter Bykowski, the Eden Prairie native who has two years of NFL experience after playing at Iowa State.

The Vikings have about 12 acres of land at Winter Park where the club has offices and practice facilities. The organization needs more room and about the only way to expand at the present site is vertically. The Vikings have a purchase agreement in Eagan for 185 acres on the former Northwest Airlines site. A Vikings spokesman said the club is performing due diligence on the property now.

Names to speculate as candidates for the Gophers athletic director vacancy include at least two from the West. Tina Kunzer-Murphy is one of the few female athletic directors at a major school. Murphy, the wife of former Gophers quarterback Greg Murphy, has been the athletic director at UNLV since midway through the 2013-2014 school year. She has held high level administrative positions in athletics at UNLV and Pacific.

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson is from Redwood Falls, Minnesota and is a University of Minnesota journalism graduate. He has been commissioner of three college conferences including the Mountain West since 1998 and has extensive relationships in college athletics. He’s a known innovator and creative thinker with a high regard for academics and sportsmanship. He’s served on more than two dozen NCAA groups addressing issues such as playoffs, licensing and officiating.

Congratulations to Albany High School football coach Mike Kleinschmidt who won his 100th career game last Friday night with a 38-7 win over St. Cloud Cathedral. He has been a head coach for 13 years, all at Albany, and his overall career record is 100-33.

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Teague, Flip Missed Golden Connection

Posted on August 14, 2015August 14, 2015 by David Shama

Norwood Teague’s departure as Golden Gophers athletic director stirs memories of his failed connection with Flip Saunders who was a candidate to replace Tubby Smith as Minnesota’s basketball coach in the spring of 2013.

Saunders was a once-in-a-generation fit for the job. The former Gophers point guard played during the program’s glory days of the 1970s when the team’s talent was extraordinary and the capacity crowds at Williams Arena were the envy of college basketball. Saunders, a four-year starter, later was an assistant coach for the Gophers and eventually became the popular head coach of the Timberwolves who reached the NBA Western Conference Finals in 2004.

Saunders kept his permanent home in the Minneapolis area after he left the Timberwolves and made coaching stops in Detroit and Washington, D.C. He was out of coaching in 2013 when Smith was fired by Teague. Saunders, full of energy and with a never ending appetite for basketball, had stayed active in the sport with national TV work, and when in Minnesota attended games including those involving Apple Valley High School superstar Tyus Jones.

Sources said Saunders was interested in returning to his alma mater. Teague, a cocky administrator and newcomer to this state, had other candidates for his basketball coaching job and made them a priority. The search wasn’t gaining ground when Teague agreed to meet out of town with Saunders—a gesture that may well have been prompted by pressure from program boosters and media to interview the former Gopher.

Saunders was told in the interview he would need the approval of Teague to hire his assistant coaches, according to multiple sources. A career coach with more than 30 years of experience and with connections all over the country, Saunders wasn’t going to be told who he could hire.

There probably were other issues—perhaps including bonus incentives—that may have tripped up getting a deal done. Whatever the stumbling blocks, talks ended within about 24 hours.

My sources questioned the determination of Teague’s efforts with Saunders. I know the late David Larson, a major Gophers financial supporter and former member of the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents, was angry a deal couldn’t be reached with Saunders.

What Larson and other proponents of a Saunders hire saw was a unique candidate and golden opportunity for the Gophers and the University. Saunders would have jump-started a program that has been in decline for more than 15 years and is still going downhill. Saunders’ relationship with Jones could well have resulted in the two of them leading a Gophers on-court turnaround last season. Instead Jones, playing as a freshman for Duke, was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after the Blue Devils won the national championship.

As a former college point guard and veteran NBA coach who had coached some of the world’s best at that position, Saunders could have made a convincing pitch to Jones who he had a relationship with. Jones committing to Minnesota might have caused a domino effect in recruiting that at this point would have the program rolling.

Saunders was intrigued with college basketball and returning to Minnesota. He had insights into coaching in the Big Ten because of his close friend Tom Izzo, the legendary Michigan State coach. Over the years Saunders had thought about college coaching and planned to use the famous pregame ball handling and passing show he had learned as a player under coach Bill Musselman at Minnesota. It was a show stopper choreographed with music that had the stands packed 30 minutes before tipoff, with enthusiastic fans ready to clap and roar approval.

No wonder Larson and other insiders were angry when a deal wasn’t reached with Saunders. What they knew is this: When you’re dealing with a big time coaching candidate the strategy is to create a deal that person can be happy with and gives him the authority, structure and resources to be successful. Let’s also make this point: Of course you negotiate and make deals that you wouldn’t for other candidates.

Teague, who was hired as Minnesota AD in 2012, was an outsider from the East. In not developing relationships and understanding the culture here, he failed many times. I don’t think he understood what he had in Saunders.

The most passionate of Gophers basketball fans might now forgive but they won’t forget.

Worth Noting

Gophers senior wide receiver KJ Maye, who played in 13 games and started five in 2014, caught 16 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown. His goals for this season are “maybe like 60 catches, 900 yards,” he said.

Sophomore Brandon Lingen, who played prep football at Wayzata High School, is one of the Gophers trying to replace the departed Maxx Williams, probably the best pass catching tight end in program history. Does Lingen compare himself with Williams?

“Try not to because he’s a really good tight end,” Lingen answered. “But at the same time I try to emulate him, try to be just like him—trying to do what he did well and hopefully some day try to be like him.”

Lingen said earlier this year Williams, now in training camp with the Ravens, took all the Gophers tight ends out to dinner. What is the best advice he has heard from Williams? “Work hard and treat practice like a game,” Lingen said.

Stefon Diggs, the Vikings fifth round rookie draft choice from Maryland, impressed with a 62-yard punt return in Minnesota’s preseason opening win Sunday against the Steelers. Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer was asked if he anticipates Diggs taking that primary punt return role from incumbent Marcus Sherels, the former Gopher from Rochester, Minnesota.

“I would like to continue to work Marcus [Sherels] in there because if he’s going to be the guy, then we need to make sure he’s ready for the season as well,” Priefer said. “You can’t just roll the ball out there against San Francisco and hope Marcus is the guy. So, were going to continue working the top three returners (including Adam Thielen) as we go forward.”

The Vikings open the regular season on September 14 against San Francisco, but tomorrow night play preseason game No. 2 against the Bucs starting at 7 p.m. in TCF Bank Stadium. Diggs, also a wide receiver, and Sherels, a reserve defensive back going into his sixth NFL season, have four more preseason games to prove their value. So, too, does Thielen, a second-year wide receiver, who didn’t return punts in game action last season. Sherel’s 10.5 career average on punt returns is the best in franchise history. His 15.2 average in 2013 was second best in the NFL.

Sports Media News reported on Tuesday the Vikings-Steelers game averaged 11 million viewers on NBC and was the most watched NFL preseason telecast on any network in five years.

Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki is struggling at the plate with a .231 average and just four home runs and 33 RBI. The team needs offensive production and first baseman Joe Mauer doesn’t have stats worthy of his $23 million salary. He is batting .269, with seven home runs and 50 RBI while usually hitting No. 3 in the lineup. But Twins president Dave St. Peter all but dismissed the notion of returning Mauer, a former All-Star catcher, back to that position. St. Peter said the organization has crossed the “threshold” with Mauer regarding catching because of his concussion history that prompted the switch to first base in 2014.

While the Twins are only 4-8 in their last 12 games, St. Peter is encouraged the club is playing “meaningful games in August for the first time in five years.” The Twins, who lost 90-plus games the previous four years, are a wildcard contender with a 57-57 record. St. Peter hopes that will help season home attendance to total about 2.2 million. The club’s attendance in 2014 was 2,250,606.

Rob Fornasiere, the Gophers assistant head baseball coach, is excited about the return of pitching coaching Todd Oakes who has made a courageous and inspirational recovery from cancer. “I would say the biggest boost we have for the coming season (2016) is the return of Todd Oakes full-time to our coaching staff. Just the overall presence and confidence he brings to the pitching staff I think will have a dramatic effect on our whole team. So you can talk about recruiting all you want, but I still think he is the biggest addition we have coming back to our team.”

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