Preps – Page 122 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

ESPN Analyst: U Not Clearing ‘Hurdle’

Posted on January 28, 2013January 28, 2013 by David Shama

ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich told Sports Headliners the slumping Gophers can’t give up on their season but they need to elevate their play against the Big Ten’s best teams.

“You get to a point when making a move from (being) a good team to an upper echelon team, that you gotta expect to win,” Dakich said. “I think that’s the big hurdle for Minnesota to get over. Minnesota has certainly had its chances.”

In the last two weeks the Gophers have lost four consecutive Big Ten games after starting the conference schedule 3-0. Three defeats have been against some of the league’s best teams: Indiana and Michigan, both 6-1, and 5-2 Wisconsin.

How do the Gophers start winning games against the league’s better teams? Dakich said coach Tubby Smith’s team needs to continue “situation work” in practice. That means tasks such as simulating close games in the last few minutes.

With four losses in the first seven games, Dakich believes the Gophers are now an unlikely contender for the league title. But that doesn’t mean they can’t have an extraordinary season including a high finish in the standings and memorable NCAA tournament performance.

“They have enough ability, and (also) leadership from older guys,” said Dakich, a former Indiana Hoosier and head coach at Bowling Green.

Minnesota plays four of its next five games at home after just finishing a portion of the schedule that had the Gophers on the road for four of five games. Nebraska, 2-6, is at Williams Arena to play the Gophers tomorrow night.

Worth Noting

Jerry Kill told Sports Headliners his staff may now have been together longer than any other group in major college football coaching. Kill has the same core of assistants he hired after taking the Gophers job in late 2010.

Many assistants, including offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover and defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys, also worked for Kill at Northern Illinois where he was head coach from 2008-2010. Limegrover and Claeys have worked for Kill since the 1990s.

The longevity of Kill’s staff is impressive in the job-fragile world of head and assistant coaches. It’s not uncommon for head coaches to be dismissed within a couple of years. And dissatisfied head coaches—under extreme pressure to win now—routinely shake up their coaching staffs, including coordinators.

There were 30 FBS head coaching changes made in recent months, according to a January 7 listing by ESPN.com. But the loyalty between Kill and his assistants, and their longevity together, is a signature difference for Gophers’ football. The stability sends a message to potential recruits that it’s likely they will play for the same coaches throughout their careers. Players already in the program benefit from the continuity of not having to learn new systems and adjust to different personalities.

Gophers’ basketball coach Tubby Smith’s name has been rumored with the USC opening after the Trojans dismissed Kevin O’Neill earlier this month. Shaka Smart and Flip Saunders are names that keep coming up if the Gophers basketball job were to open. Smart, the VCU coach who worked for Gophers’ athletic director Norwood Teague when Teague was at that school, has a Midwest connection having lived in Wisconsin.

Saunders, the former Gophers guard, lives in suburban Minneapolis and is thought to be interested in coaching again after being with three NBA clubs including the Timberwolves. Although Saunders hasn’t coached collegiately since the 1980s, he would be a popular choice with Gophers’ basketball alums and donors.

Saunders was fired by the Wizards on January 24, 2012 with a 2-15 record. Today the Wizards have won 11 games so far this season, tied with the Bobcats for the fewest wins in the NBA.

College basketball needs to adopt the NBA approach of discouraging fouls called on offensive players when defenders flop. Bo Ryan’s Badgers use flopping theatrics as displayed in the last minute of Saturday’s Minnesota game in Madison when Gophers’ point guard Andre Hollins was called for charging when he made minimal contact with a Wisconsin defender.

At Sports Headliners’ request, prep basketball authority Ken Lien sent his rankings of state boys’ teams listed below.

Class 4A: Park Center, Apple Valley, Hopkins, Osseo, Minnetonka, Lakeville North, Roseville, Eden Prairie.

Class 3A: DeLaSalle, Austin, Delano, Waconia, Grand Rapids, Blake, Holy Angels, Hemantown.

Class 2A: Melrose, Hawley, Byron, St. Peter, Pelican Rapids, Litchfield, St. Cloud Cathedral, Hayfield.

Class 1A: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Upsala, Southwest Minnesota Christian, Heritage Christian, Maranatha, Rushford-Peterson, West Lutheran, Browerville.

Lien e-mailed that Osseo’s Bridge Tusler, who had been interested in Northern Iowa, has committed to South Dakota State. He helped lead Osseo to the Class 4A state title last March.

Tyus Jones continues to have a bothersome back. The Apple Valley junior point guard is noncommittal about his college choice but it wouldn’t be surprising if a decision comes before next fall.

Word is national football power USC is very interested in DeLaSalle junior quarterback Reid Travis. He is also highly recruited in basketball.

Larry Fitzgerald Sr., the local newspaper and radio personality, is covering his 35^th Super Bowl in New Orleans this week.

Meaningless statistic for 2013 Super Bowl: the 49ers are 5-0 in previous games.

Ravens’ assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg was the secondary coach for the Gophers in 1996 under head coach Jim Wacker.

The Vikings had seven players selected for yesterday’s Pro Bowl including tight end Kyle Rudolph who won the MVP award playing for the victorious NFC team. Rudolph, Matt Kalil, and Blair Walsh are all 23 years old. The other Vikings selected were Jared Allen, 30; Jerome Felton, 26; Chad Greenway, 30; and Adrian Peterson, 27.

TwinsFest, the three day fan festival that ended yesterday, boosts the Twins’ image and showcases the personalities of the players. The roster has a lot of nice guys, from 2012 newcomers Scott Diamond and Josh Willingham to veterans Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

The Twins go to spring training next month with Morneau in the last year of his contract. At 31 and with a history of injuries, don’t expect to hear much about contract extensions for awhile.

The Twins will keep the advertising revenue on new radio home KTWN, 96.3 FM. The station has the same ownership as the Twins. The hope is that Twins broadcasts will improve KTWN’s minimal ratings, and FM broadcasts will provide a clear sound.

If the Twins are in contention for the AL Central title late in the season, that could drive attendance to near 3 million at Target Field. With a last place division team in 2012, the Twins drew 2,776,354, according to MLB attendance figures from ESPN.com. That was 12^th best among 30 franchises but poor performance on the field is reducing ticket buying interest including for season tickets.

Former reliever Eddie Guardado and ex-public relations director Tom Mee will be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony on June 14 at Target Field.

The MIAC had a record number of fall academic all-conference selections. The 329 total exceeded the 305 in 2009 and 2010.

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Big Ten Bowl Woes Roll on

Posted on January 7, 2013January 7, 2013 by David Shama

Although he doesn’t think the Big Ten is “that far away,” former Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi feels the disappointment of conference fans when reviewing bowl results.

The latest bowl season is over for Big Ten teams who won two games and lost five. Not that the results surprised close observers who for years have seen the Big Ten—once regarded as the king of college football—turn in season after season of mediocre and poor results.

Among the losses this bowl season was Stanford’s 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers have now lost three consecutive Rose Bowls and Big Ten teams are 1-9 in their last 10 games played in the Granddaddy of the bowls.

Big Ten teams are 28-47 in bowl games the last 10 years, including 17-28 in early January games like the Rose Bowl, according to a story posted last Thursday by Bleacherreport.com.

“The fact of the matter is the Big Ten hasn’t been quite as good as it once was, and everyone wants it to be,” Maturi said.

The conference football product has been slipping for years and the Big Ten has gone from head of the class in the 1950s and 1960s, to among the best in later decades, to its present inferiority compared to at least three other conferences—the SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12. Maturi, who has followed the league for more than five decades and retired as Gophers athletic director last summer, acknowledges the Big Ten is struggling more than any time he can remember.

The Big Ten has Hollywood like football tradition and rivalries. The Big Ten Network, with football as the lead product, is a money machine for the 12 conference schools. More than half the stadiums in the league seat 70,000 or more fans and are routinely packed for games.

So what’s the problem? The best guess is shifting demographics. While the Rust Belt and Midwest states are generally stagnant or declining in population, the South and West are growing. More population means a deeper talent pool of young football players targeting college careers.

The SEC has won the last six national titles. Tonight southern power Alabama, the defending national champion, plays Notre Dame for the 2013 title. The West Coast dominated Pac-12 Conference holds impressive wins this bowl season in the Rose Bowl and in the Fiesta Bowl where Oregon defeated Kansas State, 35-17. The SEC is rich in players from the South while the Pac-12 recruits California high schools and junior colleges, and signs players from football-crazy Texas, too.

Ohio State, the Big Ten’s best program, wasn’t eligible in 2012 for a bowl game. Maturi said when the Buckeyes return to bowl games starting next season that will be a major boost for the conference and so too will a resurgent Michigan program under second year coach Brady Hoke. Traditional power PennState looks crippled for years to come by NCAA sanctions including three more years of bowl bans. “I am worried about how long it will take Penn State to come back,” Maturi said.

Maturi is taking an optimistic view toward the future. He notes some of the bowl losses in the last few weeks have been close games (three decided by 14 total points including the Gophers’ 34-31 loss to Texas Tech). He also points out that after years of losing the annual basketball series with the ACC, the Big Ten has now won the last four ACC/Big Ten Challenges.

“I don’t think we’re that far away (in football),” Maturi said.

From Nebraska to Penn State—and 10 schools in between—a lot of people hope he is correct.

Worth Noting

Gophers assistant basketball coach Saul Smith told Sports Headliners he’s leading a quiet lifestyle away from the court. “I went to J.D. Hoyt’s for dinner with family on New Year’s Eve,” he said.

Gophers head coach Tubby Smith sat next to North Carolina coach Roy Williams watching point guard Tyus Jones and shooting guard Rashad Vaughn play in the 17^th annual Timberwolves Shootout at Target Center on Saturday. The two juniors are among the most coveted prep players in the country for the class of 2014. Jones’ Apple Valley team defeated Vaughn’s Cooper team, 80-70.

Assistant coaches Saul Smith and Vince Taylor watched the game along with Gophers players Joe Coleman, Trevor Mbakwe, Oto Osenieks and Rodney Williams. The group was targeted by fans for photos and autographs.

It’s my opinion the Gophers have a better chance of securing Vaughn than Jones who won’t surprise recruiting observers if he chooses Duke. Other schools on his short list could be Kentucky and Michigan State. Jones admirers hope to see him reduce the time he’s missed in the past with physical problems including recent back spasms.

Timberwolves Shootout organizer Jeff Munneke is already working on teams for next year’s event. Among schools being contacted is Chicago Whitney Young, a team that features junior center Jahlil Okafor, a friend of Jones and among the best players nationally in the class of 2014.

Teams participating in the Timberwolves Shootout pay their own expenses and don’t receive appearance fees. Munneke said the Timberwolves, trying to help promote prep basketball, have some years made a small profit on the event while other times breaking even on finances. This year’s Shootout field included eight teams and four games on Saturday.

Former Duluth Central and Gophers guard Terry Kunze was a state tournament star in the early 1960s. Asked at the Shootout who are the most dominant players to play in the tournament over the years, he listed Lake City’s Randy Breuer, North’s Khalid El-Amin, Melrose’s Mark Olberding and Ellsworth’s Cody Schilling.

On Saturday, for the first time this season, the Timberwolves put single game tickets on sale for their February 1 and March 27 home games with the Lakers, plus March 4 against the Heat, March 29 versus the Thunder and April 1 with the Celtics.

Northwestern, 9-6 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten, lost at home to No. 2 (A.P.) ranked Michigan last week, 94-66. The No. 9 Gophers, 14-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten, beat the Wildcats 69-51 in Williams Arena last night.

How ironic if Montreal CFL head coach Marc Trestman, a St. Louis Park native and former Vikings assistant, is the next head coach of the Bears. Trestman, who played part of his college career at quarterback for the Gophers, has been a past favorite of U alums for the Minnesota head coaching job.

Doesn’t look like former Vikings coach Mike Tice, the Bears offensive coordinator in 2012, will be promoted to Chicago head coach.

For the first time ever during the 17 week regular season, an NFL game was the most watched national TV program each week, according to a January 4 email from Sports Media News.

In an online article last Saturday, Sbnation.com reported most college football authorities are predicting Alabama will defeat Notre Dame in the national championship game tonight. Will Harris of ESPN, Stewart Mandel from Sports Illustrated, Jerry Palm of CBS Sports and John Tamanaha from NBC Sports College Football Talk were all quoted as favoring the Crimson Tide.

Former Twins Kyle Lohse, Matt Capps, Carl Pavano and Delmon Young are among major league baseball’s remaining free agents.

Hall of famer and St. Paul native Paul Molitor remains a subject of speculation to one day manage the Twins who for two consecutive years have finished last in the AL Central Division.

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Win Streak Makes Vikings Superstitious

Posted on January 4, 2013January 4, 2013 by David Shama

Vikings notes and quotes:

The Vikings have won four consecutive games and the streak has prompted superstitions at Winter Park. Fullback Jerome Felton, a Pro Bowl selection for 2013, told Sports Headliners the team has been eating the same lunch items each Friday during the winning streak that has the Vikings headed for a first round playoff game on Saturday night in Green Bay against the Packers.

The Vikings have been enjoying pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and other offerings provided by Brasa catering on Fridays. “They got the best cookies ever,” Felton said. “I think that might be everybody’s favorite.”

During the winning streak linebacker Erin Henderson has made a habit of Thursday lunches at Jimmy John’s. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard and wide receiver Jarius Wright have been letting their hair grow.

If the Vikings keep winning, Wright said he will avoid haircuts. “Yes, sir. I will just let it grow.”

Rookie placekicker Blair Walsh is one of the team MVPs. He has kicked an NFL high 35 field goals, ranks fourth in league total points with 141 and has 53 kickoffs for touchbacks, third best among all players. His .921 field goal percentage is the best in NFL history for a rookie kicker. Three times he’s been the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

Chosen last week for the Pro Bowl, Walsh said he can still improve. “I missed three kicks (this season) and you can always improve by not missing.”

Walsh made 35 of 38 field goal attempts and showed no signs of the mechanical issues that caused a poor season in 2011 at Georgia. He has the knowledge now to correct any problems that might occur again.

Walsh has no individual goals he is “shooting for” but said his technique and distance can get better. “Absolutely. I’ll improve from this year to next year.”

Center John Sullivan said the Vikings have an advantage over other teams when instead of punting the ball they can sometimes try Walsh on a long distance field goal. “Ten-for-10 on field goals (from) plus 50 yards is the best in league history. That speaks for itself,” Sullivan said.

Walsh made an impression even in training camp. “We knew what he was going to be able to do on kickoffs, especially in this division where you have so many dangerous returners,” Sullivan said. “That helps a lot. But I think he surprised everybody with his range on field goals, and the accuracy with which he’s hitting. So that’s a testament to how hard he works.”

Walsh replaced 15 year veteran Ryan Longwell who in a pro career playing for both the Packers and Vikings never had a season with total field goals and points the equal of Minnesota’s 2012 sixth round draft choice.

The Vikings have an extraordinary 2012 draft class that also includes starting left tackle Matt Kalil who like Walsh has been mentioned in All-Pro discussions. Kalil was a first round pick as was Harrison Smith who has helped upgrade the safety position. Cornerback Josh Robinson (third round) and wide receiver Jarius Wright (fourth round) are other major contributors.

The Vikings have remade their roster since 2009, the last playoff qualifying season. “A lot of new guys, new faces,” said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf. “It’s the first time (in the playoffs) for a lot of them. We’re excited and I think we’re building something special here.”

Despite their contributions, none of the Vikings rookies will receive bonus money for their regular season performances. NFL contracts don’t allow such compensation in rookie agreements.

The team’s best player under 25 is Percy Harvin but the dynamic receiver, runner and kickoff returner hasn’t played since November 4 because of his injured ankle. Harvin, a fourth year player, reportedly has squabbled with former head coach Brad Childress and current coach Leslie Frazier. There’s speculation that with an expiring contract at the end of 2013, Harvin could be traded this off-season.

Wilf talking about Adrian Peterson who missed by nine yards breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season NFL rushing record of 2,105: “He’s a special person and a special player. We believe he’s one of the best, if not the best running back of all-time.”

Peterson will play in only the fourth playoff game of his six-year career tomorrow night in Green Bay. He’s ready and not kidding when talking about returning kickoffs if the Vikings need a late game score.

Peterson’s backup, Toby Gerhart, grew up as a Packers fan while living in California. Quarterback Brett Favre was his hero.

The December 31 issue of Sports Illustrated picks the Patriots to defeat the Packers in the Super Bowl next month. The Packers have won nine of their last 11 games.

Worth Noting

The No. 9 ranked (Associated Press) Gophers basketball team plays Northwestern at home on Sunday night starting at 6 p.m. Northwestern, 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, is a popular choice to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten standings but Gophers guard Austin Hollins doesn’t expect Minnesota to have a problem being motivated.

The Gophers defeated No. 18 Michigan State on Monday in their first Big Ten game and Hollins likes the potential of his team. “I think the sky’s the limit. We have so many options. I don’t think there’s a drop-off when our bench comes in, and that’s tough for teams to play against. You’re wearing them down, wearing them down.

“You sub in and you’ve got the same intensity as you did with the first five. The depth really helps us. Everyone’s focused and that also helps.”

The 17^th annual Timberwolves Shootout will be Saturday at Target Center with four prep games including a 3 p.m. anticipated matchup between Tyus Jones and Apple Valley High School versus Rashad Vaughn and Robbinsdale Cooper. As of Wednesday, Jones was averaging 22.3 points per game and Vaughn 28 with a 51 point game recently. Both players are juniors. A $15 admission ticket also provides entrance Saturday night to the Timberwolves-Trail Blazers game.

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team, ranked No. 3 nationally by D3hoops.com, is 10-0. The Tommies are at home for a 3 p.m. game tomorrow against 8-0 Augsburg.

Ted Mondale, executive director of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, wants the new Vikings stadium to one day host the Big Ten championship football game. The first two Big Ten title games have been at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a facility similar to the stadium being planned in Minneapolis.

Jason Zucker leads the Wild’s Houston Aeros minor league affiliate in points with 29 and goals, 15. Justin Fontaine, Brian Connelly and Mikael Granlund are next with 22, 21 and 20.

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