Golden Gophers – Page 32 – 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

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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).

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Expanded Playoff Breath of Fresh Air for Gopher Football

Posted on June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota football team hasn’t won’t a Big Ten championship since 1967 and that’s not likely to change in the foreseeable future with the conference adding premier programs from the west coast to join dominant schools in place for decades like Michigan and Ohio State.

But there is a development that realistically could sooner or later juice the Golden Gophers program—the expanded college football playoff starting in 2024. The expansion from four to 12 playoff teams should put a smile on the face of every loyal Gopher fan. Now this program can potentially be nationally relevant without winning the league title.

“P.J. and I are very excited with the 12-game expansion,” athletic director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners.

Head coach P.J. Fleck’s 2019 team went 11-2 including an Outback Bowl win over Auburn. That group finished tied for first in the Big Ten West Division standings. Minnesota was ranked No. 10 in the country by two polls following its bowl win.

That 2019 outfit exemplifies a Gopher team worthy of being invited to participate in a 12-team playoff. As a member of the Big Ten, the Gophers belong to a conference exceeded in prestige and reputation only by the SEC. Talk this spring is those two leagues could annually have four or even five teams each in forthcoming playoffs.

Athlon Sports College Football magazine, now on newsstands, offers a projected playoff bracket for 2024-2025 that has Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State from the Big Ten, with Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas from the SEC. The forecast is for a national title game between Georgia and Ohio State with the Bulldogs winning.

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will evaluate teams including by their schedules. The SEC has an edge with its teams playing eight league games, while Big Ten programs play nine.

That difference gives Coyle pause when a visitor asks about Big Ten teams one day playing 10 conference opponents each year. The change would be appealing to fans and TV viewers, but Coyle said such a development becomes “tricky” in that an extra league game adds another loss for half the schools. “…You’ve got to win all of them (the full schedule) if you want to have a special year,” Coyle said during an interview in his campus office.

The Big Ten adds Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington this year, creating an 18-team league. The SEC expands to 16 teams with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas. Coyle said it’s going to require a couple of years to see how the committee evaluates the teams in the two conferences including wins, losses and strength of schedules.

The Gophers have a mix in quality of nonconference opponents through 2032 with college football kingpin Alabama at one extreme and Lindenwood, a program that became Division I last year, at the other. Other diverse future opponents include California, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwestern State and Rhode Island.

Coyle said Fleck is open to scheduling any school. “He never freaks out,” Coyle said about Fleck who has been leading Minnesota since 2017 and has a career third best Gopher winning percentage of .595 (among football coaches with 45 games or more).

What Fleck’s teams do on the field is critical to revenues for the self-supporting athletic department with 21 sports. The Gopher revenue streams from football, men’s basketball and men’s hockey include those they control directly such as ticket sales and fundraising. A jackpot is Minnesota’s share of TV and other revenue that comes from the Big Ten office, with USA Today reporting that in 2023 and 2024 a full league member received about $60 million.

Tony Petitti, who became Big Ten commissioner in 2023, has a career background in the business side of TV and Coyle raves about him. “He makes it clear that football is 90 percent of the revenue in the Big Ten Conference. The same thing with the SEC.”

Worth Noting

Coyle talking about men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko who took the Gophers to consecutive Final Fours in 2022 and 2023 after being hired in 2018: “The crowds are back. 3M Arena is hopping again.”

Bobby Bell, the greatest Golden Gophers football player I ever saw, turned 84 today. Bell was a two-time All-American tackle, Outland Award winner and Big Ten Conference MVP while leading the Gophers to a 22-6-1 record from 1960-1962.

Michael Hsu, the former University of Minnesota agent, has long been an advocate for treating college athletes as employees. He looks more like a prophet all the time.

It appears as soon as 2025 college football players will be sharing in revenues at their schools. Last month the NCAA and Power Five conferences settled a pending lawsuit by allowing schools to directly pay its athletes in the future. Already in place is the practice of Name, Image and Likeness money that has lined the pockets of athletes from coast to coast.

Hsu, who told Sports Headliners he doesn’t receive compensation or expect it in the future for his advocacy on behalf of college athletes as employees, has been supportive of several litigations that challenged the old amateur college sports model. Defendants included the NCAA, Ivy League and Notre Dame.

“They (the lawsuits) basically say that college athletes are being misclassified as student athletes by these organizations,” Hsu said.

What’s down the road could be classification of athletes from revenue generating sports as employees by their schools. That, of course, includes Minnesota who by next year maybe sharing about $20 million in athletic department revenue. Hsu said schools don’t want athletes to be employees because as such that will entitle them to various rights and protections including health insurance.

Hsu, who lives in the Twin Cities area and is a Gopher fan, co-founded the College Basketball Players Association. That entity is dedicated to current, future and past college players and advocates for their rights including “health, safety and welfare,” per the CBPA website.

The Lynx, winners of three straight and having a 10-3 record, remain No. 2 in The Athletic’s latest WNBA power rankings. The Liberty, 12-2, is still No. 1 in the 12-team league.

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