Gophers Basketball – Page 15 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Round two for Former Gophers Great and Hall of Fame

Posted on June 23, 2024June 23, 2024 by David Shama

The National Football Foundation sponsors the College Football Hall of Fame and membership is exclusive—and that’s an understatement!

Former Golden Gophers highly decorated center Greg Eslinger is now on the ballot for a second consecutive year and his many supporters are hoping he will be chosen for induction in December of 2025 and be immortalized forever in the Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

The NFF announced the ballot of nominees recently and the class of 2025 will be announced early next year. Eslinger, who played for Minnesota from 2002-2005, is one of 77 former FBS players on the ballot.

His credentials are eye-popping: The North Dakota native blocked with precision for some of the best rushing teams in Gopher history and he was a two-time All-American in 2004 and 2005. He won the Outland Trophy given to college football’s best interior lineman and the Dave Rimington Trophy recognizing the game’s best center. He was the 2005 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (only Gopher ever honored) and was awarded with the 2006 Big Ten Medal of Honor (the conference’s oldest and most prestigious award).

The ballot for 2025 has been mailed to NFF members and current members of the Hall of Fame. Voting must be submitted by July 1 and results will be given to the NFF’s Honors Court, the committee that makes the final decision on who is inducted.

There are 21 Hall of Famers with Gopher ties, with the last inductee Bob Stein in 2021. The 1967 and 1968 All-American defensive told Sports Headliners he “absolutely” believes Eslinger will get in the Hall of Fame, but the selection process makes it all but impossible to predict when.

Stein offered this perspective about the committee that he said annually has so many “worthwhile candidates” to consider: “…They end up balancing, trying to balance, by (playing) positions, by geography, by school—and sometimes it just takes a while. I really believe he’ll (Eslinger) get in because he deserves to get in. …

“You kind of have to wait in line—and they only take 12 to 15 a year and statistically it’s the hardest Hall of Fame to get in. There have been over five million college football players. There are 1,200 of them in the Hall of Fame. It boils down to two-tenths of one percent of the people who have played college football are in the Hall of Fame.”

The NFF Minnesota Chapter was a strong advocate for Stein and now Eslinger. Candidates for Hall of Fame induction can only be nominated by their school or the NFF.

Stein said Eslinger’s candidacy could be advanced if the University of Minnesota “got behind it and advocated.” He learned through his own process that the nation’s powerhouse football programs are aggressive in pushing their great players for the Hall of Fame.

“For some reason, the University hasn’t gotten active in promoting their own best players which does nothing but help them,” Stein said.

Stein had been on the Hall of Fame ballot for years before he finally was inducted and enshrined. After being a finalist and not getting in, he forgot about his candidacy, but the Minnesota chapter and close friend Mark Sheffert pushed hard for him. “I am still kind of stunned by it, frankly,” Stein said.

The St. Louis Park High School alum was an Academic All-American. He played for the 1970 Super Bowl champion Chiefs and after his pro career became a player agent and later was the first president of the NBA Timberwolves. He is still a practicing attorney.

Asked about his career achievements, including the Hall of Fame, Stein said: “I’d say that’s the one I am still pinching myself over. It just takes so much good fortune to be inducted. I would say of all the recognition I’ve ever got, that’s the one I am most humbled by and appreciated… .”

Greg Eslinger, no doubt, will learn the wait for the Hall of Fame is more than worth the wait.

Worth Noting

For the first time since 1989 when the NBA went to a two-round draft, the selections will be made over two days. The first round on Wednesday from the Barclay’s Center in New York starts at 7 p.m. Minneapolis time and will be televised by ABC and ESPN. The second round Thursday from ESPN’s studios in New York begins at 3 p.m. Minneapolis time.

Baylor Scheierman, the gifted All-American shooter from small-town Nebraska who played at both Creighton and South Dakota State, could fill a long-range shooting need and become a fan favorite if the Timberwolves take him with their No. 27 selection Wednesday night. Since 1992-1993 the versatile wing is the only college player to have 300-plus rebounds and 110-plus three-pointers in a season.

Athlon Sports College Football magazine ranks Gopher safety Koi Perich from Esko the No. 5 incoming high school recruit in the Big Ten this season. Ohio State has four players on the top 10 list.

The Twins, 42-35, finish their three-game series against the Athletics in Oakland today and have a 19-19 road record in 2024. Minnesota is 2-6 in its last eight games away from Target Field. The Twins are 11-10 in their last 21 games.

University of Minnesota alum Brian Dutcher who was under consideration for the U men’s basketball before Ben Johnson was hired in 2021 has a new contract at San Diego State with provisions that include a $10.2 million buyout intended to deter Power 4 Conference programs from poaching him.

The Vikings open training camp for rookies July 21 at TCO Performance Center, with veterans starting July 23. Here are the dates for their NFC North Division rivals: Bears July 16 and 19; Lions, July 20 and 23; Packers, July 17 and 24. The AFC North Division Ravens have the earliest report date for rookies in the NFL, July 13.

Are the Vikings interested in signing Hakeem Butler, the UFL Offensive Player of the Year who led the league in receiving yards (652), receptions (45) and average yards, 14.5?

Vikings chief operating officer Andrew Miller is the latest guest on “Behind the Game” with co-hosts Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden. Now in his sixth season with the franchise, Miller discusses how the rise of gambling is impacting the NFL and why the Vikings are so respected throughout sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ZULiVCqt8&t=20s

Comments Welcome

Shocker! Cam Christie First-Rounder…to Timberwolves?

Posted on June 19, 2024June 19, 2024 by David Shama

When Golden Gophers freshman guard Cam Christie, who averaged 11.3 points per game last season, announced this spring he was exploring interest in being drafted by the NBA, Minnesota fans proclaimed this a too soon endeavor. The opinion from this keyboard was the smooth shooting 6-foot-5 Christie could be worthy of a second-round selection in the June 26 and 27 NBA Draft, and it was logical to declare his interest in turning pro.

Now the breaking news: Mock drafts this from FanSided and The Athletic have the NBA champion Celtics taking the 18-year-old on the 30^th and last pick of the first round. Yahoo can top that, predicting he will be selected by the Timberwolves with their No. 27 spot in the first round.

“That wouldn’t surprise me,” a former Big Ten coach told Sports Headliners. “He’s a good offensive player.”

Christie was second on the team in scoring to Dawson Garcia’s 17.6 points per game. Christie made .403 percent of his field goals, .393 of three pointers while playing in 33 games and being named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team.

As Christie has advanced through the pre-draft evaluation process, he has been a fast riser among prospects. “He’s a scoring threat and a guy that’s going to get better,” the authority quoted above said, not wanting his name published.

At less than 200 pounds, Christie needs to add muscle as he matures and that will help him defensively where he has the overall athleticism to defend successfully. But it’s his height, fluid shooting stroke, shot making skill at various distances and ability to drive to the basket that present an intriguing offensive package.

Given his youth and inexperience, Christie at best might play five or 10 minutes per game as a rookie. “He is not going to set the league on fire,” the source said.

Karl-Anthony Towns photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

That authority believes the Wolves need to help themselves in the offseason with additional scoring. He pointed out that when adequate production wasn’t there from Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels, the Wolves often had scoring problems. A bad offensive night from Towns, the team’s second leading scorer after Edwards, was particularly troublesome.

Management will have to figure out in the offseason how to produce more consistent offense, whether that comes from development of players on the current roster, acquisition of experienced scorers or via the draft.

Another obvious need is point-guard where starter Mike Conley is 36 years old. He played at a high level in the 2023-2024 breakthrough season for the Wolves but fewer minutes and susceptibility to injuries hangs over the future.

The Wolves, if they want to prioritize point guard in the first round, could target Marquette senior All-American Tyler Kolek. No guarantee he will be available at No. 27, but the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Rhode Island native is not projected to be a top 15 to 18 pick. He brings Conley-like qualities to the NBA including decision making, poise and pick and roll efficiency. He’s unselfish, tough and can make shots and passes under physical and mental duress.

The Wolves have the No. 37 selection in the second round and could further address their guard-wing needs as discussed with Christie and Kolek. A surprise availability for Minnesota might be uber-athletic scorer Terrence Shannon from Illinois. The 6-6, 219-pound Shannon can shoot outside, is a terrific slasher and has all the skills to be superb defensively. His off-court legal problems have been cleared up but would suspicious teams back off his first-round talent and let him slide into the second round?

That’s a long shot of Shannon being available at No.37. But raise your hand if you saw Christie being projected days before the draft as a first rounder?

Worth Noting

The Twins, 41-32 and 4.5 games behind the Guardians, have won eight of their last 10 games. Minnesota has a 39.6 percent chance of winning the AL Central and 78.7 percent likelihood of making the playoffs, per FanGraphs.

With Twins supporters still annoyed about the club not spending money last season to retain pitching ace Sonny Gray, ownership could juice positive feelings with ticket buyers if they acquire a solid pitcher or position player prior to the July 30 trade deadline.

Baseball’s better teams? Minnesota is a combined 1-16 against the Dodgers, Guardians, Orioles and Yankees. The lone victory coming over the Dodgers.

Twins great Joe Mauer will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum July 21 in Cooperstown, New York but sadly neither of the two men who taught him so much about baseball while growing up in St. Paul will be present. Grandpa Jake Mauer died in 2020, while Mauer’s dad, Jake Jr., passed in 2023.

It won’t surprise authorities familiar with corporate sponsorships if hometown Target doesn’t renew naming rights deals with Target Center and Target Field when they expire. Priorities and cultures change over the years.

Before the Twins’ baseball stadium was named, this writer’s idea was: Wheaties Field.

Athlon Sports College Football magazine, an early arrival on newsstands, names Golden Gophers senior tackle Aireontae Ersery to its second team All-American offense. Phil Steele publications has the 6-6, 325 pound Ersery on its All-American third team.

Ersery, who Athlon lists on its All-Big Ten first team, started all 13 games for Minnesota in his junior season. The AP named him first team All-Big Ten.

Gopher kicker Dragan Kesich, who is on the Phil Steele All-American fourth team, is first team All-Big for Athlon. The magazine, which rates the Minnesota offensive line the fourth best in the Big Ten, ranks the Gophers No. 55 in the nation, predicts they will finish 12^th in the Big Ten and projects a Guaranteed Rate Bowl matchup in Phoenix against Texas Tech.

Hazeltine National Golf Club, which hosts the U.S. Amateur August 12-18, has fulfilled the vision of more than 60 years ago that club founder Totton Heffelfinger and his colleagues had to bring the biggest of golf events to this area. Hazeltine has hosted every premier tournament of the PGA and USGA. It’s the only facility in the country to twice host the Ryder Cup (2016 and 2029).

Comments Welcome

Golden Gophers Sit Tight on Ben Johnson’s Contract

Posted on June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 by David Shama

There has been postseason anticipation about Ben Johnson’s contract as University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach. That suspense goes back to late March when Johnson’s Golden Gophers posted the best record in his three seasons of leading the program at his alma mater.

Athletic director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners there will be no changes in Johnson’s contract this offseason. The deal has three years remaining (ends April 30, 2027) and Coyle believes longer contracts are a thing of the past because of the flux in rosters with basketball players and other athletes coming and going. The transfer portal and influence of NIL money can change rosters on a dime.

Minnesota will have two returning starters, Dawson Garcia and Mike Mitchell Jr., from the 2023-2024 team that finished 9-11 in Big Ten regular season games and 19-15 overall. The conference record was good for ninth place in the 14-team league standings.

That was a major improvement over Johnson’s first two seasons when his teams had consecutive last place conference finishes and a combined 6-33 league record. That prompted public criticism of Johnson during his first experience as a head coach after being a career assistant college coach at Minnesota and elsewhere.

“We made great, great strides,” Coyle said during an interview at his campus office. “I’ve talked to Ben about if we go .500 in conference play, we’re going to be in the NCCA Tournament more times than not if you play a decent nonconference schedule.

“So, our goal is to continue to support Ben and help him take the next step. I think Ben is very excited about the roster he brought in. A lot of thanks to (program booster) Bob Klas and the people that support our NIL initiative. …Ben is in a really good spot, so we did not do a contract extension.”

The Gophers—who are bringing in eight new players including six transfers—lost three starters with remaining eligibility from last season’s team. It’s believed Pharrel Payne and Elijah Hawkins left for more lucrative NIL money. Cam Christie is pursuing the NBA Draft.

Coyle said Johnson and other coaches are in his office on a regular basis to discuss NIL. Working with the Dinkytown Athletes collective, the Athletic Department has seen a surge in money benefiting athletes from many sports since DA started almost two years ago. Coyle didn’t offer a figure as to how much money Johnson has had to work with in 2024 but an informed estimate by Sports Headliners is “north” of $1 million.

“I don’t think we know what our peers are at,” Coyle said. “You hear rumors what our peers are at but then you see them lose two or three starters, too.”

Money is a centerpiece of Johnson’s responsibilities. A Big Ten contending team in this market could command among the higher ticket prices in college hoops and those revenues would shoulder a big load in a department where the only programs making money are football, men’s basketball and men’s hockey.

The Gophers averaged 8,139 in home attendance last season, ranking 12^th in the Big Ten. That was down from 9,451 the previous year.

A spokesman from the Athletic Department emailed that the Gophers made $5 million from men’s basketball this past year. The potential, he said, was to make $2 million more.

On a side topic, a visitor asked Coyle about the disruption of play by TV commercials during major college basketball games including in the Big Ten. Combined with frequent timeouts by coaches, there are almost constant stoppages of play.

Coyle, who is a member of the Division I Basketball Committee, remembered a game in 2024 where the teams played through two designated media timeouts because nothing happened to stop the game clock. A price was paid, though, when the timeouts finally came. In about a five-minute span the action on the floor consisted of a couple of free throws.

Coyle said “we need to have that conversation” about the disruption in flow of men’s college games.

Worth Noting

Christie, who played one season as a freshman for the Gophers, doesn’t turn 19 until July 24. If he is drafted later this month by an NBA team it will almost certainly be in the second round.

This what NBA.com, courtesy of RotoWire, said about the younger brother of Lakers reserve Max Christie: “Christie stands out due to his energy and shooting ability but needs to devote more time to improving on the defensive end of the court to reach his ceiling. Don’t be surprised if he starts his career in the G League. Given the similarity of traits, Christie could end up having a similar career to his brother.”

Richard Pitino, who preceded Johnson as Gophers coach, received an extension this spring that will pay him $1.2 million next season and rise to $1.4 million in 2028-2029, the last year of the contract. When Pitino started his career as Minnesota coach in 2013 his compensation was $1.2 million.

As of yesterday, Stub.com listed some tickets for more than $1200 each for the Lynx’s home game July 14 against phenom Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Don’t be surprised if the Timberwolves, Twins and Wild band together to televise their games next fall and beyond after the fallout this spring between Comcast Xfinity and Bally Sports resulted in no Twins games on local cable TV.

It was a spirited and heartfelt tribute yesterday for the late Jim Carter at 7 Vineyards and Winery in Dellwood. Nicknamed “Hurricane” while at the University of Minnesota playing football and hockey in the late 1960s, the South St. Paul native was a fierce competitor in sports, business and life. He was a dedicated friend to many people including those in recovery from addiction.

Close pal and Gopher football teammate Bob Stein was among those speaking at the celebration of life for Carter who passed away in November from cancer. Stein recalled Carter not liking a penalty call in a hockey game and storming out on to the ice with a chair in hand. A game official recognized Stein who was seated near the ice, and asked for an intervention with the 6-4, 250-pound Carter. “Are you crazy?” Stein said.

Stein, a defensive end, and Carter, a fullback, faced each other one-on-one many times in practice drills. Stein likened it yesterday to Bighorn Rams butting heads in the popular Dodge Ram TV commercials. He said after the drills both players would go back to the frat house with headaches, and then rest while needing to get ready for that evening’s party.

Stein spoke of Carter’s “humility,” interest in others and their welfare, saying it didn’t matter what a person’s stature in life was, he wanted to know about you. Emcee Dick Jonckowski recalled that several years ago Carter approached him and said he heard the Gophers baseball public address man had cancer. Carter asked Jonckowski about the financial impact on his life and he acknowledged there was uncertainty. Not long after a check from Carter arrived in the mail.

Former teammates and other friends were in attendance including ex-South St. Paul goalie Gaylen Bicking who played with Carter. He told the gathering that while efforts haven’t been successful yet, the will is there to name the South St. Paul High School football facility after the former Packers great: Ettinger Field at Jim Carter Stadium.

2 comments