Golden Gophers – Page 440 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Don’t Fret Over Kill Contract Yet

Posted on August 24, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Media reports that Kill has not signed his contract may give Gophers fans undue worry. Maturi said Kill signed and is working under a five year Memorandum of Understanding with terms that include a $1.1 million salary.

A detailed contract continues to be negotiated between Kill and the Gophers. What some observers may not realize is that it’s not unusual for someone like Kill to coach for at least part of his first season without a signed contract.

Former Gophers coach Glen Mason didn’t have his formal contract completed while coaching during his initial season in 1997. As with Mason, Kill and other coaches around the country, negotiations involve agents and lawyers. Agreement on specific language can require time.

During the interview with Sports Headliners, Maturi said his department continues to look at a contract extension with Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith. Although he has three years remaining on his deal, Smith is looking for an extension and undoubtedly a salary boost from his annual compensation of about $2 million that already ranks him fourth in the Big Ten.

Smith also wants a new practice facility but Maturi said funding requires “seven figure” lead donors. So far that funding hasn’t been secured.

Maturi’s to-do list these days also includes hiring a chief financial officer, replacing Elizabeth Eull who is still with the University but not in the athletic department. The position requires budgetary and human resources expertise.

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Tyus Jones: No College Favorites, or Decision for Awhile

Posted on August 2, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Despite national attention, don’t expect 15-year-old Apple Valley High School point guard Tyus Jones to announce his college choice soon.

Local basketball authority Rene Pulley and others rate Jones the No. 1 point guard in America for the class of 2014. Pulley, who is CEO of Howard Pulley Basketball, has been involved with local basketball for years, but thinks Jones could be considered the greatest Minnesota prep ever by 2014.

Jones told Sports Headliners he has college scholarship offers from nine schools but is in no hurry to choose a college and might wait until his senior season at Apple Valley. “I don’t think I’ll make an early commitment, probably (decide) later in my high school career,” he said.

The offers are from Arizona, Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Providence. “I don’t think I have any favorites,” Jones said.

While some local preps might be overly dazzled about leaving the state, expect Jones to give the Gophers fair consideration. He’s an intelligent and mature young man who values classroom work, staying modest and treating others with respect.

Jones has a family connection to former Gophers captain Al Nuness. Jones’ dad, Robert, is Nuness’ nephew. Jared Nuness, Al’s son, is part of the basketball support staff at Baylor.

Al Nuness told Sports Headliners almost two years ago that Jones was better as an eighth grader than former North High and 1997 Minnesota Mr. Basketball Khalid El–Amin. Pulley said last week that Jones, already 6-foot-1 compared with El-Amin at 5-6 as a 15-year-old, is the better player at that age.

Jones, who admires New Orleans’ point guard Chris Paul’s “pass first, score second” approach, likely will be taller than 6-1 when he arrives on a college campus. “My dad is 6-7, so hopefully I will still have a growth spurt and get a few inches…in the years to come,” he said.

Jones said he won’t play football this year for Apple Valley, but might go out for baseball in 2012. He has experienced a busy spring and summer of basketball including being named the youngest player for the USA development team for players 16 and under.

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Boy Friend Alert: Maya Moore Looking

Posted on July 6, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Lynx rookie sensation Maya Moore told Sports Headliners she doesn’t have a boy friend but is “open to a relationship.” Moore will play for a Spanish team after the WNBA season and she said her compensation in Europe will be “three to four times” what she earns here.

Lynx chief operating officer Conrad Smith, diagnosed last year with a brain tumor, said he had a “clean scan” recently but continues to receive chemotherapy.

Gophers’ assistant basketball coach Vince Taylor said point guard Julian Welch is still in junior college but expects him to enroll at Minnesota later this summer and be eligible for the coming season. Taylor said the Gophers will revert to a style of play that coach Tubby Smith prefers next season, meaning “run and gun, and press.”

An open house with details to be announced later is being planned for August 20 at the Metrodome. The first Vikings game since the roof collapsed is scheduled at the dome on August 27.

During the short time Ricky Rubio was in town from Spain last month the Timberwolves sold 550 new season tickets.

Wolves’ assistant and former Piston Bill Laimbeer is reportedly a candidate for the Detroit coaching job.

Devin Setoguchi, who was acquired in the Brent Burns trade, will wear No. 10 with the Wild. The only other player in franchise history to wear that number was Marian Gaborik.

Gustavus tennis coaching legend Steve Wilkinson and his wife Barb were guests of Rochester native Eric Butorac at Wimbledon. The 30-year-old Butorac, who played for Wilkinson at Gustavus, has become a world class player in doubles.

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