Golden Gophers – Page 290 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Experts Doubt U Will Win West Division

Posted on July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by David Shama

Four of the leading college football magazines predict the Gophers won’t duplicate last year’s second place finish in the Big Ten’s West Division. Athlon Sports College Football, Phil Steele’s College 2015 Football Preview and Sporting News College Football all forecast a third place finish for Minnesota while Lindy’s College Football has the Gophers finishing fourth in the seven-team division.

All four publications predict Wisconsin will win the West, just like last year when the Badgers finished first and the Gophers tied Nebraska for second place. Writers don’t disrespect Minnesota (5-3 in the division and 8-5 overall last season) but there is concern about the team’s offense because of inconsistent quarterbacking in the past and the departure of two major playmakers in 2014, running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams.

Lindy’s write-up on the Gophers includes this: “Touchdowns matter. Minny won’t score many.”

But coach Jerry Kill, his staff and players have a way of producing better than expected results including surprising and consecutive eight win seasons. Last year the Gophers played Wisconsin in the final regular season game with an opportunity to tie for the West Division title. “I would not be surprised to see that Nov. 28th game against border rival Wisconsin being a big one once again,” Phil Steele wrote.

Steele ranks the Minnesota special teams fourth in the nation and the Big Ten’s best. A major contributor is returning senior punter Peter Mortell who is a fourth team All-American in Steele’s publication. All four magazines list Mortell, who has averaged over 43 yards per punt the last two seasons, as their first-team All-Big Ten punter.

Among college juniors and seniors this fall, Steele ranks Gophers Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun as the No. 11 and 12 cornerbacks in the country. Sporting News includes Calhoun on its All-Big Ten first-team.

Those two, along with other standouts, lead a defense that will be challenged much of the season including games against offensive machines from Ohio State and TCU. Among the four publications, only Athlon doesn’t have the Buckeyes and Horned Frogs ranked No. 1 and 2 in the country, and all the magazines have OSU No. 1. The Gophers play TCU in Minneapolis on September 3 and then face the Buckeyes November 7 in Columbus.

The Gophers also play the Badgers, Nebraska and resurgent Michigan with new wonder coach Jim Harbaugh. All three games are at home. In Steele’s ranking of the most difficult schedules in the nation, the Gophers are 25th and listed before any other Big Ten school.

Any final thoughts about the Gophers after spending $36.96 (including Steele’s price of $12.99) on these publications? Well, nobody is raving about the collective talent on the roster and everybody frets at least a bit about the offense, and there’s no denying the schedule is for big boys only, but there is a hint of guarded optimism. Why? Because Kill and his assistants can coach, the Gophers minimize mistakes, play sound defense and excel on special teams.

“If the offense finds a way, this won’t be a fun team to play,” Athlon concluded on its Gopher page.

Worth Noting

College football in the state could command attention beyond the borders this fall. The Gophers are a possibility to be nationally ranked, while in Division II Minnesota State or UMD might be headed for a national championship. Lindy’s has the Mavericks ranked No. 1 while UMD is No. 3. Sporting News lists UMD No. 1 in the country with Minnesota State No. 6. The two teams play in Mankato on September 3.

If Lindy’s and Sporting News are correct, Saint John’s is back as a national power in Division III. The Johnnies are ranked No. 4 in the country by Lindy’s while Sporting News has them at No. 7. Both publications have Johnnies running back Sam Sura as a first-team All-American.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph worked with the ProCamps organization Monday hosting a camp at Edina High School for kids in grades 1-8. Scholarships were provided to disadvantaged youngsters. Vikings teammates Chad Greenway and Harrison Smith stopped by the Northwestern Mutual Kyle Rudolph Football ProCamp to see Rudolph. Rudolph is interested in working with ProCamps on a camp in his home town of Cincinnati.

The Capital Club featuring local sports figures as speakers hosts Vikings general manager Rick Spielman Tuesday at Town & Country Club in St. Paul. For more information about membership, contact Patrick Klinger, patrickklinger@klingercompany.com.

Saints owner Mike Veeck spoke to the club earlier this year when the gathering was at St. Paul’s new CHS Field. When asked for a tour of the new ballpark, the personable Veeck said to heck with formalities, and told guests to go where they pleased including perusing the dugouts and running the bases.

The WNBA, now in its 19th season, holds its All-Star Game on Saturday in Uncasville, Connecticut. While the league reportedly has some franchises that don’t lose money, the WNBA still has plenty of potential upside with the public and media. Like it or not, there are advocates for changes including lowering the rim from 10 feet.

A June 2 New York Times article reported Val Ackerman regretted not experimenting with a lower rim when she was WNBA president. She said in the story lowering the rim even by half a foot would result in fewer missed layups and a “more fluid game.”

Depending on how far the rim is lowered, dunking could become routine in WNBA games. Men in college and the NBA are about seven inches taller than women pros, according to Asher Price’s Times article.

Those who are advocates of keeping things the same for both men and women in sports certainly won’t be receptive to lower rims. But it could be argued the change would further help the WNBA brand to be distinctive, and also result in a more exciting product.

Another topic is the suggestion WNBA players should wear sexier uniforms. But that doesn’t’ seem realistic in today’s sports world and national culture. About as likely to happen as the Confederate flag flying again over the State House in South Carolina.

The WNBA is an ongoing success story, and part of the validation is that next Saturday’s game will be nationally televised live by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. Minneapolis time. Fans voted Lynx players Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus to the Western Conference All-Star team. Augustus won’t play because of surgery on her right knee yesterday that will sideline her indefintely. Reserves will be announced on Tuesday.

According to ESPN.com’s listing of NBA salaries, there are only 23 NBA players earning less than $1 million. The entire payroll for each WNBA team is capped at less than $1 million.

Timberwolves rookie and former Apple Valley High School star Tyus Jones will earn $1,282,000 in salary, according to ESPN’s listing. Wolves rookie and overall NBA No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns will receive a salary of $5,703,600.

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Twins Rookie Sano Talks Besting Cabrera

Posted on July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 by David Shama

The Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, 32, is probably the greatest hitter of his generation with a .321 lifetime average and 405 home runs but Twins rookie Miguel Sano said yesterday he expects a lot of success, too. “I can be better than Cabrera, I think,” Sano said.

Sano spoke unemotionally when he said those words. He wasn’t trying to be cocky as he talked about the Tigers star who is 10 years older. “He’s one of my favorite players, and I follow Cabrera a lot,” Sano said. “He’s the best hitter I’ve seen in my life.”

Sano has only 22 at bats since the Twins called him up from Double-A Chattanooga but he’s been impressive with a .455 batting average, one home run and five RBI. He has shown not only raw power but plate discipline that helps explain why he hasn’t been troubled with breaking ball pitchers like many young players who struggle. He has hits in all seven games with the Twins.

Used mostly as a designated hitter so far, Sano made his big league debut at third base yesterday and didn’t have an error. Cabrera has also been a third baseman, although as of late he’s been assigned to first base, a position the Twins have also had Sano practice.

The comparisons between the two Hispanic players don’t stop there, of course. Both are right-handed hitters and large men, with Sano listed at 6-4, 260 and Cabrera at 6-4, 240.

Wolves Owner Expects Garnett to Start

Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves 39-year-old power forward, has played reduced minutes in recent seasons but team owner Glen Taylor still expects him to be a starter next fall. “Our thoughts today are that he will start every game, and then limit his minutes during the game, depending on how he feels,” Taylor told Sports Headliners. “I think we want to see him as a starter to set the tone on defense for the player that comes in behind him.”

Garnett is accepting a new contract with the Timberwolves after joining the team last winter via a trade with the Nets. Taylor and the Wolves had traded Garnett to the Celtics in 2007 where he later helped Boston win the NBA title. But with the Nets and then the Wolves last season it’s not been uncommon for Garnett to play less than half of a game.

Next season his role will include mentoring a roster dominated by young players. Garnett has enjoyed a storied pro career since the Wolves drafted him out of high school in 1995. He has strong opinions about how to play and doesn’t hesitate to voice them.

Players who will be on the receiving end of advice will include 2015 No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns who might sub for Garnett off the bench. Does Taylor worry that the opinionated Garnett can be too hard on young players including rookies?

“I don’t worry about it, but I think that’s just one of the things that Flip will be close enough, and around enough, that he can communicate with K.G. if he felt that way,” Taylor said. “K.G. is a good person and he would understand that too. But I think you gotta give him a little flexibility, and K.G. really believes in what he believes. It’s going to be a little bit hard to hold him back some of the times.”

Are Taylor and basketball president/coach Flip Saunders trying to trade often-injured center Nikola Pekovic and the reported $60 million contract he signed in 2013? “Nope, we need to get Pek to get injury free and see how well he does,” Taylor answered.

Pekovic is among the league’s best low-post scorers and the skill is unique on the Wolves roster. Taylor values that attribute and said Pekovic is feeling healthy. He added that Pekovic is “ahead of schedule” following Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year.

Taylor’s franchise has had its ups and downs over the years, including losing millions of dollars and not making the playoffs since 2004. But now there is a buzz about the Wolves with both attendance and wins almost certain to jump in 2015-2016 because of a promising and athletic roster that includes Towns and last season’s NBA Rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins.

Taylor is pleased. “I am happy. I am enjoying it,” he said.

Worth Noting

The Vikings and the Minnesota Football Coaches Association will sponsor the annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game next year in U.S. Bank Stadium on a date in December yet to be determined, according to game manager Dave Fritze. For years the game has been in late June but Fritze said by moving the date it’s expected players going on to major college football careers will participate. The June date conflicts with early enrollment in college for many potential All-Star Game players who are recently graduated high school seniors. Not a single major college-bound player played in the 2015 All-Star Game, Fritze said.

The 2016 game, like past contests, will be played with a North versus South format. Fritze, who has been the game director for 16 years, said the first-year stadium will be an attraction to fans, and the MFCA is appreciative of the Vikings and U.S. Bank for allowing the facility to be the All-Star Game site. The 2016 game will be one week after the Prep Bowl and no agreement is yet in place to stage the game at U.S. Bank Stadium beyond next year.

This year’s 42nd annual game was played at Husky Stadium on the St. Cloud State campus. Players and coaches representing 77 schools and 27 conferences participated. It has long been speculated the game might some day have Minnesota all-stars playing against a neighboring state.

Fritze is the defensive coordinator at East Ridge High School where his players include JoJo Garcia, the 6-4, 285-pound senior tackle who has verbally committed to the Gophers for 2016. Fritze praised Garcia’s upper body strength, agility and toughness. “He has a real great nose of how to play defensive tackle,” Fritze said.

As of July 1, the Gophers had sold 27,523 football season tickets—down a couple hundred from that same date in 2014 and 2013 when totals were 27,786 and 27,741. Those totals don’t include student ticket sales. During the offseason season ticket holders had to either increase—or for the first time—pay scholarship donations for their seats. Because of that factor the Athletic Department is likely pleased with the number of season tickets sold to date.

Single game tickets were still available last week for the Gophers’ much anticipated September 3 game at TCF Bank Stadium against national power TCU. The Horned Frogs will likely be a consensus top-five team in preseason polls.

Former Gophers football player Jim Brunzell has self-published a book with colorful stories about his career in pro wrestling. “Jumpin’ Jim Brunzell” wrestled from 1972-1999 and was a favorite of American Wrestling Association fans. His book MatLands is loaded with photos of wrestling characters ranging from Andre the Giant to Chief Peter Maivia. www.blurb.com/b/6298514-matlands.

Condolences to the family of former Gophers tight end Charlie Sanders who died several days ago. Sanders, 68, became a pro football hall of famer after his career with the Lions. He was a celebrity but also known for his friendly personality.

Although there is a lengthy list of ex-Twins playing in the majors, none of them has been selected so far for next week’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Relief pitcher Glen Perkins is the Twins’ only representative to date but the club is pushing fan voting for second baseman Brian Dozier. This will be Perkins’ third consecutive All-Star Game. He has a club record 28 consecutive saves this season.

It will be interesting to watch the continued career development of Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings who the Mavericks recently awarded a new eight-year contract. In three years of coaching in Mankato his record is 79-36-7. No hockey school in the nation can match the Mavericks’ win total in that time period.

Forty-six players are scheduled to attend the Wild’s Development Camp that starts July 9 and continues through July 14 at Xcel Energy Center. Players expected include Brady Brassart, Brody Hoffman, Mario Lucia, Zack Mitchell, Zach Palmquist, Avery Peterson, Mike Reilly and Alex Tuch, plus six selected in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Free scrimmages open to the public will be on July 11 starting at 2:30 p.m. and July 14 at 6:30 p.m. Gates open on those dates at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Canterbury Park hosts Extreme Race Day presented by the Minnesota State Lottery on July 18. The afternoon’s lineup of entertainment will include exhibition racing with camels and zebras, plus The Battle of the Surfaces—a pari-mutuel race with thoroughbreds competing against each other simultaneously at one mile and 70 yards on the turf, and one mile on the dirt. A lineup of traditional horse races will also be part of the entertainment at the Shakopee race track.

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State Making Basketball History Now

Posted on June 26, 2015August 22, 2015 by David Shama

The state of Minnesota made basketball history last night during the NBA Draft. Tyus Jones and Rashad Vaughn became the first pair of Minnesotans to be selected in the draft’s first round. The Timberwolves for the first time in franchise history had the NBA’s overall No. 1 pick and chose Karl-Anthony Towns.

A long list of native Minnesotans—from Cole Aldrich to Royce White—have been first round draft choices but never in the same year have two players from the state been selected as Jones and Vaughn were last night. Jones was expected to be selected before Vaughn but the shooting guard was the No. 17 pick of the Bucks. Jones landed with the Wolves after a trade with the Cavs who chose him at No. 24.

Towns, the 6-11, 250-pound center from Kentucky, was anticipated to be the team’s first draft choice. He can score inside and outside, and is an athletic defender. “He’s incredibly versatile,” ESPN draft analyst Jay Bilas said last night on the air.

The network reported last evening the Wolves are now the first NBA team to ever have three overall No. 1 draft choices on a roster. In a trade with the Cavs last year the Wolves acquired 2013 No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and 2014 No. 1 selection Andrew Wiggins. In April Wiggins became the first Wolves player in franchise history to be NBA Rookie of the Year.

Minnesota prep basketball made history this spring with the announcement Apple Valley High School players Gary Trent Jr. and Tre Jones earned roster spots on the USA Basketball Men’s Under-16 team. It was the first time two Minnesotans have been selected for the Under-16 team at the same time. With Trent and Jones being from the same high school, the achievement was even more distinct.

Tre Jones, of course, is the brother of Tyus who saw four other point guards selected last night before his name was called. But the 19-year-old former Apple Valley and Duke star couldn’t have asked for more than to start his NBA career in Minneapolis.

It was a special night for Vaughn, too, who played at Cooper High School before finishing his prep career in Las Vegas. Only 18, Vaughn played as a freshman at UNLV before declaring for the draft. Vaughn is known as an excellent shooter with a big time stroke who could be a “steal” for the Bucks.

Worth Noting

The Gophers men’s basketball team will play Oklahoma State of the Big 12 in a nonconference game on Saturday, December 12 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The schools haven’t played against one another since 1986. Minnesota leads the all-time series 3-2.

The Twins have placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 15-day disabled list with a left thumb sprain, an injury that occurred on Tuesday attempting to steal second base. To replace Buxton on the 25-man roster, the Twins have recalled infielder Danny Santana from Triple-A Rochester. Santana has hit .308 (20-for-65) with six doubles, three triples and five RBI in 15 games for the Red Wings since being optioned by the Twins on June 7.

The Wolves had a full page advertisement in today’s Star Tribune featuring No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns and also picturing five players from the current roster. Noticeably absent was often injured center Nikola Pekovic.

The new Timberwolves and Lynx training center has interesting amenities including three plunge treatment pools and one therapy pool; three steam rooms and two saunas; five locker rooms and two film rooms; 9-foot doors and 8-foot showerheads; a players lounge and nutrition center. The Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square is a $25 million (private investment) facility that is both a training center and corporate headquarters for the teams. Located across the street from Target Center on First Avenue North, Mayo Clinic Square is a first of its kind facility in the NBA and WNBA. The Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center in the complex is available to all athletes.

Former Gopher basketball players Don Linehan, Larry Overskei and Paul Presthus visited John Kundla last week in advance of their ex-coach’s 99th birthday on July 3.

“I feel like a million but I’m only 99,” Kundla said with a smile at his living care facility in northeast Minneapolis. Presthus reported the quip in an e-mail where he also wrote: “John looked great, is self-sufficient and was sharp as could be.”

Kundla was the Gophers coach from 1959-1968, and Linehan, Overskei and Presthus played for him. “John is as humble as they come, a true gentleman, (and) one of the nicest men I ever met, and he always treated his players with respect,” Presthus said in the e-mail.

Before becoming Gophers coach, Kundla coached the Minneapolis Lakers to five world professional championships, the last in 1954. Presthus said there was storytelling about the Gophers and Lakers, and plenty of laughs during the visit. “We spent about an hour visiting with him before he had to leave to go to mass,” Presthus wrote.

The Wild want “to get bigger and more physical” with personnel moves at the NHL Entry Draft today and tomorrow, according to a hockey source who asked that his name not be used. Playing better “around the boards and the net, and not getting outmuscled” is needed for the Wild to continue its ascent among NHL competition and to play more effectively against clubs like the Blackhawks, Ducks and Kings.

Wing Thomas Vanek, 31, had a disappointing initial season for the Wild. The source said Minnesota might release or trade the former Gopher, speculating a return to the Wild could be 50-50.

The return next season of expensive 37-year-old goalie Niklas Backstrom seems unlikely. He reportedly earned $3.75 million last season and will be paid more under terms of his contract for next year. Of course the team’s goalie priority is re-signing 29-year-old Devan Dubnyk. The source said Dubnyk wants $5 to $6 million annually and Minnesota might now be willing to pay $4 million.

Vanek is one of 17 Gopher Hockey alums who played in the NHL last season. Here is the list: Mark Alt (Philadelphia), Keith Ballard (Minnesota), Stu Bickel (Minnesota), Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Alex Goligoski (Dallas), Erik Haula (Minnesota), Seth Helgeson (New Jersey), Erik Johnson (Colorado), Phil Kessel (Toronto), Nick Leddy (New York Islanders), Jordan Leopold (St. Louis/Columbus/Minnesota), Paul Martin (Pittsburgh), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders), Nate Schmidt (Washington), Jordan Schroeder (Minnesota), Thomas Vanek (Minnesota) and Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg).

About 2,000 fans are expected to attend tonight’s Summer Bash and NHL Draft Viewing Party from 6 to 9 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center. In addition to watching the draft on TV from Florida, fans can visit the Wild locker room and press box. Wild players Keith Ballard, Ryan Carter, Charlie Coyle, Matt Dumba, Jordan Leopold and Jason Zucker are scheduled for photos and autographs.

Players and coaches representing 79 schools and 27 conferences are expected to participate in tomorrow’s annual MFCA Tackle Cancer All-Star Football Game in Husky Stadium at St. Cloud State. Players (2015 high school grads) and coaches were selected by members of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association.

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