NCAA – Page 150 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

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

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman had the final word on college draft choices during the NFL draft last weekend, a change from recent years when authority was shared. Spielman is a self-described “perfectionist” but presents an easy going personality to the media who like him.

In addition to the 10 players drafted, Spielman plans to sign “10-13 college free agents.”

With the drafting of USC left tackle Matt Kalil, the Vikings offensive line is set except for right guard. The starter there might be Brandon Fusco from Slippery Rock University who the Vikings drafted in the sixth round last year. He’s a player Spielman is “very, very excited about” after seeing Fusco play limited minutes last season and following his overall development.

The Big Ten Conference didn’t have a player chosen in the first round of the NFL draft until the Lions took Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff at No. 23. Three other Big Ten players were later drafted in the first round (32 total players). National champion Alabama had three players taken in the first round and the Southeastern Conference had nine chosen, including four of the first 10 selected.

If the Twins continue losing games and paying customers, club revenues will decline and possibly create more interest among the front office to use Target Field as the site for outdoor hockey games and other events.

Carl Pavano has only one win but he’s been the workhorse among the team’s starters. He has thrown six-plus innings or more in his five starts and has a staff high 33 innings pitched.

Word is the NCAA had one or more observers at the Nike elite basketball tournament in Eagan earlier this month that attracted some of the best prep players and college coaches in the country. NCAA rules include having coaches segregated from fans and not engage in media interviews. Coaches at the tourney included Jim Boeheim, Bob Huggins, Tom Izzo, Mike Krzyzewski and Bo Ryan.

Former Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett tied the Lakers Metta World Peace as the second “dirtiest” player in the NBA, according to results of a league players’ poll published in the April 30 issue of Sports Illustrated. The Clippers Reggie Evans was No. 1.

The Lynx opened training camp yesterday without several players who are still playing overseas. Included are Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen who will also miss camp time from May 11-13 to practice with the USA Basketball team. They are among 11 players named to the final USA roster.

The Gophers play their farewell baseball game at 41-year-old Siebert Field tomorrow night starting at 6:35 p.m. The ceremonial first pitch prior to the game against St. Thomas will feature Marilyn Siebert, daughter of legendary coach Dick Siebert, former coach George Thomas and former Gophers Paul Molitor and Terry Steinbach. During each half inning every decade of Gophers baseball dating back to the 1940s will be honored on the field. While the Gophers are playing their games this season at the Metrodome, Minnesota is planning a new on-campus stadium to replace Siebert Field. All tickets for tomorrow night’s game are general admission.

Jason Verdugo, 37, officially begins work as Hamline’s athletic director tomorrow succeeding Bob Beeman who is moving to Texas. Verdugo will give up his Hamline baseball coaching job at season’s end.

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Royce White to Review NBA Options

Posted on March 21, 2012March 21, 2012 by David Shama

Royce White’s grandfather dropped him off in Ames, Iowa on Sunday. What’s the next stop for White?

If conversations during the coming weeks determine the Iowa State sophomore is going to be an NBA lottery choice in June, then the former Hopkins High School All-American has likely played his last college game. His grandfather, Frank White, told Sports Headliners on Monday that Royce’s dream has always been an NBA career. “If he’s a top 10 lottery pick there’s no way I would (try to) convince him to stay,” Frank said.

The two Whites have a close relationship. Frank has mentored Royce from childhood. “I was there (at Royce’s birth) to cut the umbilical cord,” Frank said.

It was grandpa who drove 220 miles from his suburban St. Paul home last week to Ames to pick up Royce. Then he drove the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year 600 miles to Iowa State’s NCAA tournament games in Louisville. The two made the return trip to Ames on Sunday while Royce’s teammates flew home.

Royce suffers from anxiety and preferred not to fly to Louisville, believing he would feel better for the most important college games of his life if he travelled by car. Frank said fans should understand while it made Royce a “little more comfortable” to travel by car, it’s not that his grandson hasn’t done a lot of flying. Royce was on all the Iowa State Big 12 airplane trips except one and took a preseason trip with the Cyclones to Italy. “He’s been flying since third or fourth grade,” Frank said.

There can’t be any second-guessing the decision to drive to Louisville. Not after White helped the Cyclones to an opening tournament win on Thursday over defending NCAA national champion Connecticut. And not on Saturday after he scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had four assists while showing he was the most versatile player on the floor against a star-laden Kentucky team.

The Wildcats are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament but it was White who received much of the attention from media and fans during and before the game. He seemed to enjoy the attention and at one point in the Kentucky game reportedly yelled: “I am the best player in the country.”

CBS recorded the moment and although his grandfather didn’t see it he had an explanation. “He said he was just trying to get everyone pumped up,” Frank said.

Royce looked toward the Iowa State fans when he made his statement. He has found acceptance in Ames after fighting through off-court problems with the Gophers, never playing a minute for his hometown University during the 2009-10 school year.

“He’s really embraced Iowa State and they have embraced him,” Frank said. “At the hotel (in Louisville) I had people telling me how great a young man (and) great player he is.”

Frank said Royce cried after the Kentucky loss, a defeat that may have been the first and only opportunity for him to fulfill his goal of winning a national championship. “I know he had some tears,” his grandfather said. “He believed he was going to win. Some of the Kentucky players he had played against (previously) in AAU (competition), and done well. Kentucky may have played its best game. Iowa State had its worst shooting game of the season.”

Despite being 6-feet-8 and 270 pounds, White wasn’t stereotyped at Iowa State as a player who could only position himself near the basket. Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg, the former Timberwolves guard and front office executive, recognized White’s versatility and creativity. Hoiberg allowed White to bring the ball up the floor, sometimes being a primary ball handler and passer in the offense. White’s experiences at Iowa State will help make him more attractive to pro scouts who could project him both as a small and power forward.

Frank believes his grandson, who will be 21 next month, could move to the pros this year but he’s also comfortable with a decision to return to Iowa State for another season. Royce is a 3.0 student with a passion for music, a self-taught piano player who has long been interested in psychology. “I told him I don’t need anything other than for him to succeed in life,” Frank said.

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MWC Commissioner Gets U A.D. ‘Vote’

Posted on March 19, 2012March 19, 2012 by David Shama

It’s our understanding the University of Minnesota prefers athletic director candidates with previous experience as college athletic directors — or assistant directors — but the search committee is likely to consider Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson.

Former Gophers basketball coach Jim Dutcher praises Thompson, a Minnesota native who graduated from the University. Thompson worked as a student assistant in the Gophers sports information department more than 30 years ago. His duties included working with Dutcher and the two have stayed in contact.

“He’s got a lot of passion for Minnesota,” Dutcher said. “…Grew up and went to high school in Redwood Falls. I don’t know all the candidates but I do know Craig and I think he would be a good choice.”

Thompson has been commissioner of the Mountain West since its inception in 1998, but he could be interested in the Minnesota A.D. job. Prior to joining the MWC he was commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference and his resume also includes working in the NBA. His accomplishments with the MWC include major growth of television revenues and he’s also served on many NCAA committees. Dutcher emphasized Thompson’s experience in working with college presidents and realigning the MWC membership.

It’s also believed former NFL executive Jim Steeg is interested in the Gophers athletic director position. Steeg is credited with transitioning the Super Bowl from just a championship game to a weeklong entertainment experience. His resume includes several years working as a business executive with the San Diego Chargers.

Local candidates who don’t have experience as athletic directors but might be interested in the Gophers job to replace Joel Maturi this spring could include former Minnesota football coach Glen Mason and ex-Minnesota Wild executive Bill Robertson. Mason has influential Gophers supporters who like him and he knows a lot about the athletic department having been the Minnesota coach from 1997-2006.

Robertson is working as a consultant with Tunheim Partners, the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Hockey. He was vice president of communications and broadcasting for the Wild’s parent company from 1998-2011. Prior to that the Cretin High School alum was an executive with the Walt Disney Company’s sports operations.

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