Golden Gophers – Page 426 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on February 1, 2012February 1, 2012 by David Shama

Gophers guard Austin Hollins on the Big Ten race: “I think we’re still in it.”

Minnesota, 4-5, has three more losses than conference leader OhioState, 7-2. Gophers coach Tubby Smith regards Ohio State and Michigan State (6-3) as “head of the class” teams. The Buckeyes have the most talent but Michigan State may have the conference Player of the Year in Draymond Green, Smith said last weekend.

The Gophers 2012 football recruiting class will be announced today and the group is ranked last in the Big Ten by Rivals.com. Scout.com ranks Minnesota No. 11 ahead of Illinois. Gophers coach Jerry Kill, interviewed on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle Sunday, said player speed was emphasized in recruiting this class. Several of his recruits are already in school and he said six of them are among the 10 fastest players in the program.

Kill also said 6-5 former quarterback Moses Alipate has been switched to tight end for spring practice.

Kill’s news conference to talk about his 2012 recruiting class will be shown live on Gophersports.com starting at 3 p.m. today.

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings stadium site turns out to be Farmers Market and Hennepin County becomes a major partner in the financing.

Dan Patrick reports in the January 16 issue of Sports Illustrated that Christian Ponder has already been told by the Vikings, who hold the No. 3 pick in the upcoming college draft, that Minnesota won’t select a quarterback. In the same issue Peter King writes the Vikings are “desperate” for help at guard and left tackle “but the biggest trouble by far is at cornerback.”

WCCO Radio’s Eric Nelson is covering his 19^th Super Bowl this week. He said about 5,000 media are expected in Indianapolis for the New England and New York Giants game on Sunday.

Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman on the strike-shortened and compacted NBA season. “Even if you’re young (like the Wolves), you get tired.”

Wolves guard Wes Johnson, who has been recovering from pneumonia, said he’s been in the worst shooting slump he can remember. He’s only made 7 of his last 20 field goals and his percentage for the season is .368.

Speculation is Wolves All-Star forward Kevin Love wasn’t happy about not receiving the maximum contract offer for five years and about $80 million but his performance since signing a four year, $61 million deal has been impressive. Love is averaging 27.7 points in games since last Wednesday.

Rookie point guard Ricky Rubio plays flashy but on the court and off he consistently tries to defer to his teammates. Rubio doesn’t seek news media publicity.

Former Gopher Joel Przybilla, who has played 10 seasons in the NBA, is without a club now but his name has been linked with the Celtics and Bulls.

NBA legend Jerry West recalls in his new book, West by West, he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers but soon thereafter the franchise moved to Los Angeles. In the book West writes about a dream NBA game involving him and other NBA greats representing East and West teams. The scroe is tied at 105 with five seconds remaining when Mr. Clutch, despite the presence in the huddle of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, demands the ball. How does the tale end? Read the book.

To help celebrate the 26th National Girls and Women in Sports Day the Lynx will participate in a ceremony at the State Capitol today from noon to 1 p.m. National Girls and Women in Sports Day was first chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1986 and honors female athletic achievement and recognizes the positive influence of sports participation for girls and women.

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No ‘Chance’ McDonald to Drop U

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

Gophers coach Jerry Kill received a rare four-star commitment (ESPN.com) late last week when All-State Hopkins High School wide receiver Andre McDonald announced he will sign a national letter of intent with Minnesota on Wednesday. McDonald committed to the Gophers last year, but then changed his pledge to Vanderbilt in the fall.

Will he switch again in the next 48 hours? “I don’t think there’s any chance of that,” said John DenHartog, Hopkins coach. “I think he’s excited about the decision. Minnesota is the best place for him. He can help the program.”

DenHartog said McDonald gave up Vanderbilt this winter after the wide receivers’ coach left to join a new coaching staff at Illinois. Chris Beatty then recruited McDonald aggressively as did Iowa.

The Gophers are neither deep in bodies or talent at wide receiver. McDonald is about 6-3 and 205 pounds, and was a dangerous receiver in high school. “He’s got some unique skills,” DenHartog told Sports Headliners. “He can be a difference maker. He can make moves in tight spaces and make people miss and turn in big gains.”

DenHartog said McDonald “has unlimited potential” but that Kill didn’t promise a starting job. “Andre knows he’s going to have to work hard,” DenHartog said.

The Hopkins coach has been impressed with the forthrightness and caring of Kill. He also likes the longevity Kill and his staff have with one another. DenHartog is optimistic about the downtrodden Gophers program.

“If anyone (a coach) is going to do it, I believe he’s the one,” DenHartog said. “His intensity and honesty are really refreshing. The majority of time people are trying to sell a dream but coach Kill, he’s going to be forthright and the kids appreciate that.”

McDonald is playing in the International Bowl in Austin, Texas on Wednesday night. He’s expected to sign his paper work committing to the Gophers that day.

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A.D. Mystery at U to End Soon

Posted on January 27, 2012January 27, 2012 by David Shama

Expect an announcement soon on whether Joel Maturi will continue as Gophers athletic director.

Maturi’s contract ends in June and that deadline will direct a decision by new University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler who has been busy with many issues. If Maturi and Kaler decide a change is the best decision, expect a lot of speculation about candidates.

Among the names will be Stony Brook University athletic director Jim Fiore who is in his ninth year at the New York school, the same institution where Kaler worked until coming to Minnesota last July. Fiore’s teams have won numerous conference championships and he’s known as an effective fundraiser. He’s also consistently balanced the budget for his Division I school.

Fiore’s name was rumored with the North Carolina athletic director opening last fall. He was senior associate director of athletics at Princeton before taking over at Stony Brook. He is a native of Long Beach, New York, and he played college football at Hofstra.

Maturi has been the Gophers athletic director since 2002. He has spent most of his career at Minnesota working for president Robert Bruininks who preceded Kaler.

Among the reasons Kaler was hired as president is his commitment to athletics. Whether it’s with Maturi or someone else, there is a long to-do list of issues facing the athletic department in the next few years including whether to eliminate some sports to save money.

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