Gophers Basketball – Page 158 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Win Streak Makes Vikings Superstitious

Posted on January 4, 2013January 4, 2013 by David Shama

Vikings notes and quotes:

The Vikings have won four consecutive games and the streak has prompted superstitions at Winter Park. Fullback Jerome Felton, a Pro Bowl selection for 2013, told Sports Headliners the team has been eating the same lunch items each Friday during the winning streak that has the Vikings headed for a first round playoff game on Saturday night in Green Bay against the Packers.

The Vikings have been enjoying pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and other offerings provided by Brasa catering on Fridays. “They got the best cookies ever,” Felton said. “I think that might be everybody’s favorite.”

During the winning streak linebacker Erin Henderson has made a habit of Thursday lunches at Jimmy John’s. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard and wide receiver Jarius Wright have been letting their hair grow.

If the Vikings keep winning, Wright said he will avoid haircuts. “Yes, sir. I will just let it grow.”

Rookie placekicker Blair Walsh is one of the team MVPs. He has kicked an NFL high 35 field goals, ranks fourth in league total points with 141 and has 53 kickoffs for touchbacks, third best among all players. His .921 field goal percentage is the best in NFL history for a rookie kicker. Three times he’s been the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

Chosen last week for the Pro Bowl, Walsh said he can still improve. “I missed three kicks (this season) and you can always improve by not missing.”

Walsh made 35 of 38 field goal attempts and showed no signs of the mechanical issues that caused a poor season in 2011 at Georgia. He has the knowledge now to correct any problems that might occur again.

Walsh has no individual goals he is “shooting for” but said his technique and distance can get better. “Absolutely. I’ll improve from this year to next year.”

Center John Sullivan said the Vikings have an advantage over other teams when instead of punting the ball they can sometimes try Walsh on a long distance field goal. “Ten-for-10 on field goals (from) plus 50 yards is the best in league history. That speaks for itself,” Sullivan said.

Walsh made an impression even in training camp. “We knew what he was going to be able to do on kickoffs, especially in this division where you have so many dangerous returners,” Sullivan said. “That helps a lot. But I think he surprised everybody with his range on field goals, and the accuracy with which he’s hitting. So that’s a testament to how hard he works.”

Walsh replaced 15 year veteran Ryan Longwell who in a pro career playing for both the Packers and Vikings never had a season with total field goals and points the equal of Minnesota’s 2012 sixth round draft choice.

The Vikings have an extraordinary 2012 draft class that also includes starting left tackle Matt Kalil who like Walsh has been mentioned in All-Pro discussions. Kalil was a first round pick as was Harrison Smith who has helped upgrade the safety position. Cornerback Josh Robinson (third round) and wide receiver Jarius Wright (fourth round) are other major contributors.

The Vikings have remade their roster since 2009, the last playoff qualifying season. “A lot of new guys, new faces,” said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf. “It’s the first time (in the playoffs) for a lot of them. We’re excited and I think we’re building something special here.”

Despite their contributions, none of the Vikings rookies will receive bonus money for their regular season performances. NFL contracts don’t allow such compensation in rookie agreements.

The team’s best player under 25 is Percy Harvin but the dynamic receiver, runner and kickoff returner hasn’t played since November 4 because of his injured ankle. Harvin, a fourth year player, reportedly has squabbled with former head coach Brad Childress and current coach Leslie Frazier. There’s speculation that with an expiring contract at the end of 2013, Harvin could be traded this off-season.

Wilf talking about Adrian Peterson who missed by nine yards breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season NFL rushing record of 2,105: “He’s a special person and a special player. We believe he’s one of the best, if not the best running back of all-time.”

Peterson will play in only the fourth playoff game of his six-year career tomorrow night in Green Bay. He’s ready and not kidding when talking about returning kickoffs if the Vikings need a late game score.

Peterson’s backup, Toby Gerhart, grew up as a Packers fan while living in California. Quarterback Brett Favre was his hero.

The December 31 issue of Sports Illustrated picks the Patriots to defeat the Packers in the Super Bowl next month. The Packers have won nine of their last 11 games.

Worth Noting

The No. 9 ranked (Associated Press) Gophers basketball team plays Northwestern at home on Sunday night starting at 6 p.m. Northwestern, 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, is a popular choice to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten standings but Gophers guard Austin Hollins doesn’t expect Minnesota to have a problem being motivated.

The Gophers defeated No. 18 Michigan State on Monday in their first Big Ten game and Hollins likes the potential of his team. “I think the sky’s the limit. We have so many options. I don’t think there’s a drop-off when our bench comes in, and that’s tough for teams to play against. You’re wearing them down, wearing them down.

“You sub in and you’ve got the same intensity as you did with the first five. The depth really helps us. Everyone’s focused and that also helps.”

The 17^th annual Timberwolves Shootout will be Saturday at Target Center with four prep games including a 3 p.m. anticipated matchup between Tyus Jones and Apple Valley High School versus Rashad Vaughn and Robbinsdale Cooper. As of Wednesday, Jones was averaging 22.3 points per game and Vaughn 28 with a 51 point game recently. Both players are juniors. A $15 admission ticket also provides entrance Saturday night to the Timberwolves-Trail Blazers game.

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team, ranked No. 3 nationally by D3hoops.com, is 10-0. The Tommies are at home for a 3 p.m. game tomorrow against 8-0 Augsburg.

Ted Mondale, executive director of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, wants the new Vikings stadium to one day host the Big Ten championship football game. The first two Big Ten title games have been at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a facility similar to the stadium being planned in Minneapolis.

Jason Zucker leads the Wild’s Houston Aeros minor league affiliate in points with 29 and goals, 15. Justin Fontaine, Brian Connelly and Mikael Granlund are next with 22, 21 and 20.

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U Needs to Rock ‘The Barn’ Monday

Posted on December 30, 2012December 30, 2012 by David Shama

The Gophers open their Big Ten basketball season tomorrow afternoon in Williams Arena against Michigan State and the Minnesota players hope to have the “Barn” rocking with support.

“The Barnyard is always behind us come Big Ten play,” forward Rodney Williams told Sports Headliners earlier this month. “We’re ready. We’re gonna put on a show for them (the fans). Hopefully they can be that sixth man for us.”

Williams is one of college basketball’s dunk-masters. He knows his slams can ignite the crowd and figuratively shake the pillars in the 84-year-old arena.

“The louder they (fans) get, the more tough it’s going to be on other teams,” Williams said. “Let’s hope I can get a dunk (on Monday) that’s going to shake the pillars.”

Minnesota is 12-1 and ranked No. 11 in the country by the Associated Press. Michigan State, just like the Gophers, has thoughts of finishing near the top of the Big Ten standings. The Spartans, 11-2 and No. 19 in the A.P. poll, are 17-2 against the Gophers in the last 19 games. The last Minnesota win in Williams Arena came in 2006.

Tubby Smith, who began coaching the Gophers during the 2007-2008 season, has only one win over the Spartans (2010 Big Ten Tournament). But this year’s group could be his best team at Minnesota, and Williams said the Gophers believe in themselves.

“No team intimidates us,” Williams said. “We’re not worried about them (the Spartans). We’re worried about what we gotta do. …”

Williams predicts success against the Spartans despite past history between the two teams. “They got the best of us in past years but I think this year is a little different. We got a team that we can count on anybody on any given night. We got depth. I think we’re just more team oriented this year. I know we’re definitely ready for the 31^st.

The Gophers, who finished 10^th in the Big Ten last season but did win four games in the post-season NIT, have a talented starting five in Williams, forward Joe Coleman, center Trevor Mbakwe, and guards Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins. The reserves include players with starting experience. The Gophers are also an athletic bunch who can attack offensively, pressure defensively and swarm the boards for rebounds.

MSU coach Tom Izzo has made a reputation for boot camp toughness including an obsession for rebounding. Derrick Nicks and Adreian Payne are among the Big Ten’s leading rebounders this season.

Williams said the Gophers will be ready to match effort with the Spartans on the boards. And Minnesota will need to impress defensively, too, since MSU is known for shutting down opponents.

Austin Hollins believes the Gophers made their defense better during the 13 nonconference games. “Our defense got a lot better. Keeping the same intensity on defense throughout the whole nonconference schedule is huge. We always stress that coming out (for the game), getting up in their face, making it hard for the offense to run their plays. Making it hard for them to do anything and just forcing turnovers, and I think that’s one of our strong points. We really improved there.”

Hollins said the Gophers are “not going to do everything right” but he thinks the team is ready for the Big Ten schedule. And Williams considers Monday’s game a first step for a team that includes among its goals winning the conference title and playing in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s huge,” Williams said. “It’s the first game of the conference play. Rankings don’t usually mean much, but it’s two ranked teams going against each other. It’s gonna be huge for us to get that first win in the Big Ten so we can move forward and go on from there because we’ve got big goals for the season. Getting that first win is gonna be huge.”

Vikings & Other Notes

The loudest crowd of the season is almost a certainty at Mall of America Field this afternoon. The hometown Vikings can qualify for the playoffs by defeating the rival Packers in the final regular season game of the year for Minnesota, and Adrian Peterson needs 208 more yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single NFL rushing record of 2,105 yards. Mall of America Field is among the loudest stadiums in the NFL and “crowd noise can definitely throw off communication” for the opposing team, said Vikings running back Toby Gerhart.

The Vikings encourage fans to wear purple and will place “rally towels” on every seat in the stadium—the first for that promotion since a playoff game against the Cowboys in January of 2010. Target HQ Tower, the Lowry Avenue Bridge and the 35W Bridge are lit in purple at night this weekend as part of a Minneapolis show of support for the Vikings franchise.

Peterson was held to 86 yards rushing last week by the Texans. “Obviously they closed us down in the run game but then again I look at the film, it was several plays where I was just a tackle away from taking it to the house,” Peterson said. “Ultimately, when you look at it, it seems like they did a better job than I really feel like they did.”

Peterson talking about breaking Dickerson’s record today: “Deep down inside I feel like I’ll get it.”

In one word, how he describes his running style: “Vicious.”

Despite Peterson’s success, no players from the Vikings offensive line were chosen for the Pro Bowl. Selections for the post-season all-star game are made by fans, NFL players and coaches. There’s justifiable criticism that voters aren’t knowledgeable, and it’s a popular allegation in Minnesota after Vikings center John Sullivan was passed over for the Packers’ Jeff Saturday who hasn’t been starting for Green Bay. Sullivan was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

“He (Sullivan) had a heck of a year,” Gerhart said. “It’s a shame that we didn’t have any offensive line guys make it, especially Sully our leader. When Adrian puts up that type of a season—he’s a heck of a player—but it’s not all on him. Those guys up front are what’s gonna get a play going.”

Former Gophers national championship football coach Murray Warmath, who died in 2011, would have turned 100 last Wednesday.

The December 31 issue of Sports Illustrated predicts Alabama will defeat Notre Dame 23-16 in the BCS national championship game on January 7.

The Timberwolves have sold 10,000 season tickets, the franchise’s largest total since the 2004-2005 season, according to club executive Ted Johnson. A second consecutive Target Center sellout crowd watched the Wolves defeat the Suns last night, 111-107.

Ricky Rubio missed the game because of back spasms. Coach Rick Adelman is hopeful the point guard will return for Wednesday night’s game at Utah.

The Wolves, 14-13, are off to their best start since having the same record in 2005-2006.

The Tapemark Charity Pro-Am for women will be Tuesday, June 4 and Sunday, June 9. The men’s event will be June 7-9. The golf tournaments raise funds for Minnesota nonprofits serving people with developmental and learning disabilities.

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Ex-Coach Dutcher: U Roster Rates High

Posted on December 28, 2012December 28, 2012 by David Shama

Jim Dutcher picks the Gophers to finish third in the Big Ten Conference behind Michigan and Indiana. But the former Gophers head coach wouldn’t be surprised to see Minnesota win the league championship.

Dutcher, who coached the Gophers to the 1982 Big Ten title, is a retired investment adviser but he remains passionate about college basketball and is a close observer of Minnesota and the other 11 schools in the conference. What’s the key to whether the Gophers can win the title this year?

“I think it’s mental,” Dutcher told Sports Headliners. “I just get the sense that the goal is kind of get back in the NCAA Tournament. That’s not your goal. Your goal should be to win the Big Ten championship. If they develop that mentality that ‘We’re the best team in the league, now let’s go out and prove it,’ they actually can win the thing.”

Gophers coach Tubby Smith told Sports Headliners before the season that his team, now 12-1 and ranked No. 11 in the country by Associated Press, has three potential first round NBA draft choices on the roster—point guard Andre Hollins and forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams. And Dutcher also likes Minnesota’s talent and wouldn’t trade the Gophers’ roster for any other in the Big Ten.

“The standard kind of thinking is to win the conference you gotta have two (NBA) first round draft choices,” Dutcher said. “To win the national championship you need three first round draft choices. You go back through the years and it proves to be true year after year; coaches are important but that’s more important to have those guys.”

When Dutcher analyzes the Gophers he sees a talented, experienced and deep team playing with confidence. “Rodney is as good as any small forward in the league. Mbakwe is probably the best rebounder in the Big Ten. Both Hollins (guards Austin and Andre) are playing good. Andre, of course, can shoot the ball. Austin is steady. (Joe) Coleman has fit in really good at a small forward.”

Williams and Mbakwe are seniors, and all five starters were regulars last season. Off the bench come three players who have experience as starters—senior guard Julian Welch, junior guard Maverick Ahanmisi and sophomore center Elliott Eliason.

All that experience gives the Gophers an edge, Dutcher said. “They can withstand injury and foul trouble better than any team in the league.”

The Gophers stumbled to a 10^th place finish in the Big Ten last season. After losing six of their final seven regular season games, and splitting two in the Big Ten Tournament, the Gophers rallied to win four straight in the National Invitation Tournament before losing the championship game to Stanford.

Dutcher emphasizes the importance of the fast finish to last season. “Really gave those guys some confidence.”

The Gophers rank No. 7 among conference teams in three point field goal percentage, .322. They are No. 5 in defensive three point field goal percentage, allowing .306 percent. The stats tie to a concern about Minnesota. “If there’s a (team) weakness, they gotta learn to play at the three point line, both offensively and defensively,” Dutcher said.

What about the rest of the Big Ten? Michigan, 12-0, is No. 2 in the A.P. poll and the conference’s only undefeated team. The Wolverines might have the Big Ten’s best player in point guard Trey Burke. Guard-forward Tim Hardaway Jr. is outstanding, too, and power forward Jordan Morgan is a third returning starter from last year’s team.

The Wolverines have added size and talent since last season, becoming one of the nation’s most impressive teams. “Their strength is that they have a great freshman class but that may also be their weakness,” Dutcher said. “They’re pretty young actually.”

Indiana started the season No. 1 in the country but an upset loss to Butler changed that. The Hoosiers, 11-1, are ranked No. 5 by A.P. and are led by preseason All-American center Cody Zeller. He’s part of a talented frontline that includes forwards Victor Oladipo and Christian Watford.

“If there is a key to this team, it’s Watford,” Dutcher said. “When he’s good, they’re good, but he’s not always good.”

Dutcher said there is another Indiana concern, too. “It’s a veteran team. Basically the starting team from a year ago. But they haven’t added much. …I think depth is a problem with Indiana.”

Dutcher predicts Michigan State will finish fourth in the conference standings, just behind the Gophers. He sees the Spartans (who play the Gophers next Monday in Williams Arena in the Big Ten opener for both schools) as a team that plays with maximum effort including a passion for rebounding. The Spartans have physical front line players in Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne who are the Big Ten’s second and leading rebounders at 7.8 and 7.5 per game.

Guard Keith Appling, who averages 14.9 points per game, is the team’s leading scorer. But Dutcher said there’s not enough guard help on the roster and the Spartans have periods of time “where they don’t score a point.” MSU, 11-2, is No. 19 in the A.P. poll.

Dutcher’s predicted order of finish for the remaining league teams after Michigan State is Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue, Nebraska, Northwestern and Penn State.

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