Golden Gophers – Page 196 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

High Praise for Gopher DB Recruit

Posted on April 29, 2018April 29, 2018 by David Shama

Coach P.J. Fleck’s 2019 recruiting class has several verbal commits so far with one of the most recent being St. Charles, Illinois cornerback Tyler Nubin who announced earlier this month he wants to play for the Golden Gophers.

Ryan Burns, the recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated.com, told Sports Headliners he’s intrigued by the defensive back who has also been pursued by Iowa, Michigan and Michigan State. “If you were to kind of scope a defensive back from clay, this is how you would want him to look,” Burns said about Nubin who is reportedly over 6-feet and 180-pounds.

“That’s why so many schools have come after him. He was an absolute ballhawk as a sophomore and that’s how he got on the radar of so many teams. Then as a junior nobody threw at him, but he has a lot of physical attributes that Minnesota really needs in their defensive secondary.”

Among other verbal recruits for 2018 is Eden Prairie quarterback Cole Kramer, the grandson of former Gopher football player and athletic director Tom Moe. Kramer might be an undervalued recruit, and Burns said he is “higher than most of our fan base” on the QB who helped the Eagles to the Class 6A state title last fall. Burns added, “I am excited to see what he is going to do at (development) camps here in the next few weeks. …”

Burns said Kramer could be the only QB recruit for 2019 now that nationally hyped Council Bluffs, Iowa quarterback Max Duggan said no to Minnesota. Burns referenced that Fleck and the Gophers spent “over a year” pursuing Duggan who earlier this month verbally committed to TCU. Burns heard Duggan prefers the smaller campus of TCU and warmer weather of Texas.

“That (Duggan’s decision) was something that I don’t think anybody was really expecting,” Burns said. “Minnesota, from all indications, was the favorite going into that final (recruiting) visit,” said Burns who also noted TCU head coach Gary Patterson never came north to see Duggan.

It looks like even without a second quarterback in the class of 2019, Minnesota will have a young roster at that position a year from now. The Gophers have no returning quarterbacks from 2017 with game experience.

Asked about expectations for 2018, Burns said, “I don’t think it could be any worse than what they saw last year because Demry Croft graded out as the second worst quarterback in Division I football per Pro Football Focus. Conor Rhoda left a lot to be desired in the running game, and with his decision-making, which ultimately got him benched.”

After the April 12 Spring Game Gopher fans came away disappointed by the performance of Victor Viramontes who completed one of three passes for one yard, and fumbled twice. Viramontes came to Minnesota rated by 247/Sports this winter as the No. 1 ranked dual-threat QB coming out of junior college. After watching Viramontes several times in spring practices, Burns is keeping an open mind about who will be announced as the starter for the first game next August.

“I don’t think this is a race that is close to being shut because I think Vic is going to have a strong summer,” Burns said. “I think he has a bad taste in his mouth…with how hard of a worker (he is) that should be good news for Gophers fans.”

Tanner Morgan, who will be a redshirt freshman next season, and incoming true freshman Zack Annexstad were impressive in the Spring Game. The way Burns sees it, Morgan is the “front runner” coming out of spring practices but Annexstad, who impressed with his poise, is part of the three-man competition. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown in the Spring Game. Morgan was 18 of 28 for 272 yards and no touchdowns.

Worth Noting

Louis Riddick, talking on ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage Thursday night, said the Redskins upgraded at quarterback when acquiring Alex Smith while seeing Kirk Cousins depart for the Vikings where he will be the NFL’s top paid quarterback.

Quoting GM Rick Spielman last night on his confidence whether the Vikings’ biggest needs were met in the three-day NFL Draft: “I think we had a lot of needs. I think we wanted to go out and just sign the best football players we can and create as much competition at each position as we can create. …We’re very excited not only with what we were able to accomplish in free agency but also the addition of this draft class.”

Among the team’s draft choices are former basketball players. Spielman joked, “We’re going to have a hell of an intramural team coming up, so we’re taking on the media after the season. …”

News media speculation is ongoing Mike Tice, 59, will retire from a coaching career that included leading the Vikings from 2002-2005. Tice, with various assistant jobs in his background, was the Raiders’ offensive line coach last year.

The Twins finish a home series against the Reds today, and 34-year-old Joey Votto who has a lifetime on-base percentage of .427, much higher than any other active MLB player including Minnesota’s 35-year-old Joe Mauer who is at .392.

Canterbury Park’s 70-day live racing schedule begins Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will also be the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. The Derby traditionally attracts more wagering dollars at the Shakopee racetrack than any other. Advance wagering is available beginning May 3.

In a letter to season ticket holders last week, Wild owner Craig Leipold praised fired general manager Chuck Fletcher and then said. ..”I feel that it is going to take a new set of eyes, and some new thinking about our roster, to assess things and take the steps necessary to get us to the next level.”

Leipold ended the letter with this: “The fans in the State of Hockey are the most passionate in the NHL. You and other members of the season ticket community have given incredible support to our organization, which we don’t take for granted. And for that we are so grateful.”

While Leipold may come up with a surprise successor to Fletcher, the name that won’t catch anyone off-guard is Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton.

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Nanne: Fletcher Did ‘Hell of a Job’

Posted on April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 by David Shama

Nobody in Minnesota has more experience in the NHL than Lou Nanne, 76, the former Minnesota North Stars coach, GM and president. With rumors circulating the last few days, Nanne wasn’t surprised to hear Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was fired Monday, a move he doesn’t agree with.

Prior to last season owner Craig Leipold said anything short of winning the Stanley Cup would be a disappointment. The Wild was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Jets Friday. While Minnesota is one of only three NHL teams to make the playoffs during the last six years, the Wild has advanced beyond the first round only twice during the time Fletcher has been in charge.

Nanne told Sports Headliners that when measured against the skills a GM needs like knowing personnel and how players contribute, Fletcher was more than successful. “Chuck did a hell of a job. I mean when you make the playoffs six years in the National Hockey League, you’re doing something right. Don’t ever kid yourself.

“St. Louis was an excellent team last year. Look at them, they missed the playoffs this year. Take a look at Los Angeles. Since they won the Cup (2014), I think they won one playoff game.

“Take a look at how many Cup winners don’t get back, and don’t make the playoffs for years after. There’s a lot of them.

“These guys (Wild ownership), I don’t think they understand how good a job the Wild has done to make the playoffs six years in a row. It’s a hard thing to do. You do it two years in a row (2017 and 2018) for 100 points (during the regular season), that’s tough. …

“Everybody wants to win the Stanley Cup. …Not an easy job.”

The new general manager will inherit a team stuck in the same annual performance gear. There are salary issues to confront and aging payers to make decisions about. There are also promising young ones like Joel Eriksson and Jordan Greenway.

Would a new GM want to let his franchise get worse before it gets better, by clearing out personnel and contracts. With losing comes better positioning in the draft and sometimes improved payroll flexibility.

Nanne said, “I wouldn’t have let him go. I am a fan of Chuck. I’d give him the opportunity if you want to tear it down and build it back up again. The fact is you almost gotta be bad before you’re good.”

Nanne said Leipold might pursue Predators’ assistant GM Paul Fenton to become only the third GM in franchise history. The two built a working relationship when Leipold was owner of the Predators before buying the Wild.

Leipold’s official statement was gracious toward Fletcher but the owner made it clear aspirations for the franchise aren’t changing. “I want to thank Chuck Fletcher for his substantial contributions to our franchise over the past nine years,” Leipold said. “Through his strong work ethic, integrity and vision, Chuck and his staff built a winning culture and a perennial playoff team. For all of that I am grateful.

“I feel it is time for a new approach aimed at delivering a Stanley Cup to the deserving fans of the State of Hockey. I wish Chuck and his family the very best going forward.”

Worth Noting

It appears guard Payton Willis saw a crowded and talented roster at Vanderbilt, and decided on transferring to Minnesota. The Commodores have one of the nation’s top recruiting classes for 2018. Willis was a reserve his first two seasons at Vanderbilt and after sitting out next season will have two more years of eligibility with Minnesota.

The 6-4 Willis started four games as a sophomore and five as a freshman for Vandy, averaging about five points per game both seasons. The Gophers have experience and depth issues with their guard roster for next season and 2019-2020.

ESPN college basketball authority Fran Fraschilla has a prediction about the Gophers next season: “I thought Jordan Murphy was on his way to All-American status this past season. If Amir Coffey takes the next logical step up, (if) Eric Curry comes back healthy and (Dupree) McBrayer can play up to his potential, I think they will be a middle of the pack Big Ten team with a chance to definitely play in the postseason,” Fraschilla told Sports Headliners.

Those four players figure to be starters, along with Isaiah Washington. Coffey and McBrayer were dealing with injuries of varying severity last winter, while Curry missed 2017-18 after preseason knee surgery.

An optimistic note about Minnesota is Big Ten leaders Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State could all take a step back after losing personnel. “I don’t expect any of the top four teams to be as good as they were this past season but they still all have great tradition,” Fraschilla said.

When Fraschilla saw the Gophers play last fall, before the Reggie Lynch suspension and Coffey’s shoulder injury, he thought the Gophers were a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 team for the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Fraschila has been following Rochester John Marshall five-star forward power Matthew Hurt who will be a senior for the Rockets next season and is one of the most coveted recruits nationally in the class of 2019. “He’s definitely in the top 15 players in the country, without a doubt,” Fraschilla said. “He’s a big kid with really good versatility. He’s got toughness, can play inside or out. He’s destined at some point in time to play in the NBA if everything goes well and he keeps working hard.”

Gopher football players from last year’s team who have shown interest in playing pro football are Adekunle Ayinde, Vincent Calhoun, Jonathan Celestin, Merrick Jackson, Kobe McCrary, Duke McGhee, Steven Richardson, Ryan Santoso, Andrew Stelter, Nate Wozniak and Garrison Wright. A Big Ten authority told Sports Headliners he doesn’t expect any of the players to be taken during the three days this week of the NFL Draft but predicted Santoso as a free agent will earn a job as a punter or perhaps kickoff specialist.

Santoso started his Gopher career as the team’s field goal specialist. He became one of the Big Ten’s best punters, averaging 43 yards his senior season. He also had 17 touchbacks on kickoffs.

The authority also sees possible NFL camp invitations for linebacker Celestin because he runs so well, nose tackle Richardson who despite his short stature is strong, and 6-10 tight end Wozniak. “Everybody is looking for tight ends,” the source said.

As part of an NFL promotion to announce draft picks during the fourth through sixth rounds on Saturday, the Vikings will be at the St. Paul Curling Club where 2018 members of the U.S. Olympic men’s gold medal curling team will help publicize the selections.

Peter King writing yesterday for SI.com predicted the Vikings will take UTEP guard Will Hernandez with their No. 30 selection of the first round on Thursday. Referring to his “surprise” prediction, he wrote that former Chanhassen and Arkansas center Frank Ragnow (not necessarily a projected first rounder) will be chosen No. 27 by the Saints.

Comments Welcome

U Basketball Ticket Sales Jump

Posted on April 22, 2018April 22, 2018 by David Shama

A Sunday notes column including Gopher news and Timberwolves analysis.

The University of Minnesota Athletic Department reported via email to Sports Headliners that as of last Wednesday morning 400 new public season tickets for women’s basketball have been sold since Lindsay Whalen was named head coach on April 12.

As part of a request for information from the University about season ticket sales, it was learned just 13 new tickets had been sold prior to the announcement about Whalen, the former Gopher player and legendary figure in the state. Her presence as the new leader of the program has generated more interest than in a long time.

For the 2017-18 season, 1,338 public season tickets were sold. The Athletic Department is in a renewal period now with existing season ticket holders. With combined renewals and new sales, it seems certain that with the enthusiasm for Whalen the 2018-19 public season ticket totals will exceed the 1,338 total.

Last season, according to figures provided by the Big Ten Conference as of March 27, the Gophers ranked 35th in attendance nationally with a per game average of 3,130 fans at Williams Arena (capacity 14,625.) Purdue, averaging 6,036, led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the country.

Interest in Whalen and support for the Gophers could fade quickly next season if the team isn’t winning. Flip that scenario and Minnesota may have one of its best seasons ever at the box office.

Another opportunity for the Athletic Department to ride the Whalen momentum during the immediate months ahead is with donors. None of the women’s sports at Minnesota, including basketball, are profitable. The department also has a large debt remaining on the new $166 million Athletes Village.

John Anderson, coach of the No. 25 nationally ranked Gophers baseball team, speaks to the CORES lunch group May 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Reservations need to be made by May 7. More information is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

The Timberwolves earned their first playoff win against the Rockets last night because of several factors including being better at three-point shooting than the NBA’s most famous team for that skill. The Wolves made 15 of 27 attempts, 55.6 percent in their 121-105 victory. The Rockets were 15 of 41, 36.6 percent.

The Timberwolves, not known as a fast break team, outscored the Rockets 13 to 2 in that category to narrow Houston’s 2-1 lead in the best of-seven-game series.

Derrick Rose was a super sub last night, scoring 17 points in 21 minutes off the bench—more than any reserve on the Rockets. The Wolves were plus-17 when he was on the floor, best on the team after Jimmy Butler’s plus-19. Butler led Minnesota in scoring with 28 points.

Popular former Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, who management here decided to move on from, had a triple double performance in Salt Lake City last night with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as his Jazz went up 2-1 in its opening playoff series against the Thunder. Fans roared “Rubio!” during perhaps the greatest game of his career.

The 1976 Division III Saint John’s national champions will be honored with the Murray Warmath Legendary Team Award at the 11th annual Minnesota Football Honors Awards Event April 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Among the many other award winners will be St. Thomas alum and former Gopher athletic director Mark Dienhart who will receive the Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award. Minnesota Vikings award winners haven’t been announced.

Generation gap: Grant, who turns 91 next month, joined Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman, 98, for lunch last week with new Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, 29.

Grant will hold another annual garage sale at his Bloomington home May 16-18.

New Gopher men’s basketball assistant coach Rob Jeter’s dad, the late Bob Jeter, was a great halfback at Iowa and was MVP in the 1959 Rose Bowl. Jeter played defensive back for the Green Bay Packers and coach Vince Lombardi in the 1960s.

The Vikings will select Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams with the 30th pick in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, according to the April 23 issue of Sports Illustrated. In its mock draft the magazine predicts the Browns, with the No. 1 overall choice, will choose Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

Wonder what Wild owner Craig Leipold is thinking after his team’s dismal first round playoff elimination in five games to the Jets? Injuries in 2017-18, including in the playoffs, were a problem, but before the season Leipold said anything short of winning the Stanley Cup would be a disappointment.

The Wild struggled offensively for much of the series and were shut out in the last two games. Wing Zach Parise led the club in goals with three even though he missed the last two games with a fractured sternum.

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