Preps – Page 15 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Golden Gophers Get Tournament Resume-Building Win

Posted on February 4, 2024February 4, 2024 by David Shama

The Gophers earned a resume-building win yesterday defeating Northwestern 75-66 in overtime at Williams Arena. Minnesota, 14-7 overall and 5-5 in Big Ten games, enhanced its goal of receiving the school’s first NCAA Tournament invite since 2019 with the victory. “That was a significant win for the program,” former Gophers head coach Jim Dutcher told Sports Headliners.

Northwestern, 15-7 overall and 6-5 in conference games, went into Saturday as part of the projected 68-team tournament field posted on ESPN.com by bracketologist Joe Lunardi. He had the Wildcats, who hold one win and an overtime loss against national title favorite Purdue, as a No. 7 seed.

The Gophers have won two straight games to reach the halfway mark of the Big Ten schedule. They outscored Penn State by 23 points in the second half to win on the road last weekend. Yesterday the Gophers trailed most of the second half but were clearly the better team than the Wildcats who turned over the ball an uncharacteristic 17 times.

Coach Ben Johnson, talking on the KFAN postgame radio show, said his team is improving and growing more confident. “We’re really good (in) second halves. We just have like a calmness to us. We have a belief. …They don’t get rattled. They don’t get flustered. …When it’s on the line and we gotta get a win they found ways to win games, and that’s a great sign of a team that’s maturing as the season progresses.”

The Gophers also have a win over Nebraska who Lunardi has as one of his last four teams making the tournament field that will be announced March 17. Minnesota can keep the resume building Tuesday night at Williams Arena against Michigan State. Lunardi has the Spartans, who defeated the Gophers 76-66 in East Lansing last month, as a No. 8 seed. They are 14-8 overall, 6-5 in league games.

Dutcher is clearly on board with how the Gophers helped themselves yesterday beating the Wildcats. “Yeah, absolutely. You know if you beat some of the lower teams it doesn’t mean as much. But when you beat a team as good as they are—not only this game but they had a really good shot at winning the Wisconsin game (lost 61-59 to the Big Ten’s second best team). …They played them (the Badgers) even pretty much all night.”

Wolves Could Trade for PG They Should Have Kept

Gersson Rosas made savvy moves when he was the Timberwolves president of basketball operations. It was a mistake, though, during the 2019 offseason when the club let hometown hero Tyus Jones move on via free agency to the Grizzlies.

The Rosas regime hired Chris Finch as head coach and his 2024 Wolves have a 34-15 record, tied with the Thunder for best in the NBA Western Conference. Personnel acquired by Rosas includes multiple contributors to the current Wolves starting with NBA All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards and another talented lineup regular in small forward Jaden McDaniels. Also, still with the Wolves and contributing off the bench are power forward Naz Reid and playmaking guard Jordan McLaughlin.

But oh, how the Wolves could use Jones, now playing point guard for the Wizards and a possible Minnesota target before the NBA tradeline of Thursday afternoon. Rosas, who parted ways with the Wolves in September of 2021, apparently didn’t believe Jones, then a reserve, fit in his personnel and pay roll plan.

The Wolves are a talented bunch but need help off the bench including for scoring and decision making. Jones is an exceptional offensive leader able to help others score and is averaging a career high 12.1 points per game. His presence with the Wolves would significantly help a roster short on basketball IQ and ability to make the best decisions in clutch situations.

When the Wolves face some of the biggest moments in the playoffs this spring, they will need basketball smarts to do important and subtle things on the court. Mike Conley Jr., the team’s 36-year-old starting point guard, aces the role but help is needed. If Jones were on the team, he could even play clutch moments with Conley and help direct the team. If Conley needs rest, is in foul trouble or not able to play because of injury, Jones becomes even more valuable.

Some players just know how to play the game and that’s been the profile on Jones dating back to Apple Valley High School, Duke and the NBA. The 27-year-old has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the past three seasons, including a league-record 6.96-to-1 figure in 2018-19.

To make the salary cap numbers work, Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly will likely have to send a player like guard Shake Milton to the Wizards. But what will be of more interest to the Wizards is having the Wolves offer a high future draft choice—perhaps multiple picks.

That’s giving up a lot but it’s likely a safe assumption Connelly and ownership see a window now to contend for an NBA title. They have to aggressively sort out possibilities this week as the trade deadline nears.

Minnesota’s options could also include Tyus’ brother Tre from the Spurs. Like the Wizards, the Spurs are building for future seasons and presumably interested in draft choices. Tre, at reported salary of almost $9 million, earns an estimated $5 million less than his older brother. Tre has that Jones DNA of playing with intelligence and poise. The 24-year-old might be a lesser offensive point guard than Tyus but he’s probably better defensively.

Worth Noting

Right now, it looks like Finch is in a two-man race for NBA Coach of the Year with the Thunder’s Mark Daigneault whose roster includes Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren. The former Minnehaha Academy superstar is in his own two-man race, vying with the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year.

The Wolves are the No. 1 NBA team defensively, giving up the fewest points per game. A lot of that success is because of center Rudy Gobert who looks like a favorite to be the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Connelly will draw major interest for NBA Executive of the Year. Sam Presti of the Thunder and Brad Stevens from the Celtics look like Connelly’s major rivals.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins also make trade news this week. Starting pitching help seems likely between now and the start of the season.

Veteran right fielder Max Kepler, rumored to be an offseason roster casualty, is a favorite of Twins management but might have been part of trade talks with the Mariners before a deal was finalized last week sending second baseman Jorge Polanco to Seattle.

Burnsville native Shawn Schlechter will be the St. Paul Saints hitting coach in 2024. He had that role for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2022 and Double-A Wichita in 2023 but now returns to Minnesota to work for the Twins’ Triple-A farm team.

Toby Gardenhire, son of Twins Hall of Fame manager Ron Gardenhire, returns for his fourth consecutive season leading the Saints.

Jonathan Mekonnen from Eastview, and Kyle Jorgensen from Washburn, plan to be roommates at Colorado State next summer when they start their college basketball careers. They are two of four scholarship Rams in the class of 2024 and have formed a friendship after being recruited by Colorado State head coach Niko Medved, the Roseville native and former Gopher student manager.

Mekonnen, a wing averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds as of late last week, is expected to be a top 10 candidate for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball Award. Jorgensen entered this season as a lower profile college prospect, but the Washburn center has been impressive. Eastview coach Danny Olsen, whose team lost to the Millers in December, told Sports Headliners Jorgensen has skills and a playing style that reminds him of NBA superstar center Nikola Nikola Jokić. Olsen said Jorgensen can “score on anyone” and is a “great passer.”

Norwood Teague’s tenure as Gopher athletic director didn’t end well but it’s interesting that two administrators who he hired at Minnesota are now athletic directors at prominent schools: David Benedict, Connecticut; and Beth Goetz, Iowa.

Remember when Nevada (the site of this year’s Super Bowl) was the only state where you could legally wager on the outcome of sports events? Now such gambling is legal in 38 states, with others including Minnesota likely to soon join the ranks. With the gambling fun comes financial setbacks and addiction but who would wager sports betting will be in decline anytime soon?

Because of a labor agreement signed years ago between the NHL and its players, salaries pale in comparison to other major sports leagues. Wild star Kirill Kaprizov, the team’s lone representative in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game, is compensated at an annual value of $9 million while so-so Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy reportedly earns nearly as much.

Mark Whicker, writing for The Morning After, detailed the NHL compensation situation in a recent article. He pointed out NBA Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reportedly makes $15 million, a figure that exceeds many NHL players including Kaprizov.

Word from a valued hockey source is if the Wild don’t start fast after the All-Star break, there will be personnel changes by GM Bill Guerin that include parting ways with Marc-André Fleury. Near untouchables, the source said, are Karprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber.

A former NFL team executive, asking that his name not be published, predicts the Chiefs will beat the 49ers in Sunday’s Super Bowl. He told Sports Headliners the Chiefs’ defense has been consistent and effective, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is “so good on that big stage.”

One in six American service veterans and their families are hungry and not receiving minimum nutritional requirements to live healthy, contributive lives, according to promoters of the “Chefs for Vets” initiative going on now through Super Bowl Sunday February 11. Edina-based Heritage Gear is stepping up to help. During the campaign every purchase of a bag, accessory or any item found at the Heritage Gear website (http://heritagegear.com) raises money to feed veterans and their families.

Minnesota hockey icon Natalie Darwitz, general manager of the Minnesota team in the startup Professional Women’s Hockey League, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers February 15. Minnesota drew a record professional women’s hockey crowd of over 13,000 at its first game in early January and the league has been averaging close to 5,000 fans per game, according to a recent online report by The Hockey News.

The eighth annual Guns-N-Hoses game benefiting the Front Line Foundation will be February 23 at the Blaine Super Rink, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The hockey game matches Minnesota police and firefighters who entertain to help the Foundation that monetarily supports dependents of fallen heroes from law enforcement, fire departments, EMS and the National Guard. Admission is free but sponsorships, donations and other support is welcome, with more information available at the Guns-N-Hoses website.

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Football Gophers Make Merry with 2024 Recruiting Class

Posted on December 20, 2023December 25, 2023 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers football program today announced what could turn out to be the best recruiting class of the P.J. Fleck era that began in 2017. The 24-man class has that potential and breathes positivity into a program that experienced a disappointing 5-7 record last fall and saw the December departure of elite defensive coordinator Joe Rossi for Michigan State.

Minnesota signed to National Letters of Intent the No. 1 rated players in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin—a program rarity. Safety Koi Perich from Esko, Minnesota got a heavy recruiting rush from Ohio State this month but the state’s top ranked player by the 247Sports composite rankings chose the Gophers.

Perich is a superb athlete with a fluid running style and other skills that raise expectations he could follow in the steps of Minnesota All-American safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) and Tyler Nubin (2023). Fleck and assistant coach Danny Collins prioritized Perich for a couple of years. Fleck and previous Gopher coaches have been spurned too many times in the past by the state’s No. 1 recruit so today was a win worth celebrating.

Perich may have the potential to one day make a living playing football on Sundays. The same may work out for Wisconsin’s No. 1 player, offensive tackle Nathan Roy, and North Dakota’s No. 1, defensive lineman Riley Sunram. All three are four-stars, per 247Sports.

Perich, Roy and Sunram, along with Kansas offensive lineman Brett Carroll, have invitations to the prestigious All-American Bowl in San Antonio January 6. That’s the first time in the Fleck era four Gopher recruits have been invited to the game formerly known as the Army All-American Bowl, which showcases many of the best prep seniors in the country.

High school recruits who signed today include six Minnesota natives. None may have as much maroon and gold DNA as Detroit Lakes linebacker Mason Carrier. His brother Ethan, a defensive back, is already on the roster and Mason posted this on X a few days ago:

“…We would rather MAKE a better team than FIND a better team. Thanks coaches and those loving and loyal to MN. I am Mason Carrier. Get used to the name.”

The 2024 recruiting class is vital to future success and could prove historic to Gopher football. Minnesota was coming off nine wins or more in 2019, 2021 and 2022 before this season’s fall. Fleck wants a return to the norm and even better results in the future where rewards could include entry into the 12-team college football playoff coming in 2024-2025.

This class and the ones that follow need to provide talent and depth. The Gophers struggled last season when they ran out of both, including at linebacker and running back. Inconsistent quarterback play from Athan Kaliakmanis was a problem, too, and he left the program recently. Don’t be surprised if his transfer process leads him to Rutgers.

QB is the most important position for Big Ten football teams. Fleck’s signings aimed at delivering results this fall and into the future. It all starts with New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer, probably one of the top 10 quarterbacks available in the transfer portal. Brosmer was nearly flawless at times playing for the FCS Wildcats. The Gophers expect big things from him in accuracy, pocket presence, decision making and leadership.

Fresno State transfer Logan Fife is an experienced quarterback who has been both a key reserve and starter. He will have two seasons of eligibility and his presence will be reassuring if Brosmer misses time because of injury.

Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey comes from a family with Arkansas Razorback roots. At about 6-6, the three-star Lindsey, whose grandfather Jim Lindsey played for the Vikings, will have no issues seeing receivers from the pocket and he could be the starter in two years.

It might be that the Gophers have more work to do in the recruitment of pass catchers between now and next summer, particularly targeting a wide out. Dropped passes and failure to get open bugged the wide receivers and tight ends last season. It’s been an issue for wide receivers dating back to 2019 when Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson were both named first team All-Big Ten.

The 2024 class includes two wide receivers and two tight ends. Among the promising preps is Mankato West’s Jalen Smith. He only had one other Power Five offer (Iowa State), per 247Sports, but he could be a sleeper in this class.

With 19 high school players and five college transfers, the Gophers rank No. 37 among recruiting classes across the country, according to 247. For a program that still doesn’t have the Name, Image and Likeness money of many other programs, and doesn’t cheat in recruiting like the blue-bloods and others allegedly do, that’s impressive.

The Gophers leave for Detroit and the Quick Lane Bowl on Friday in preparation for their day after Christmas game. After losing their final regular season game against Wisconsin, there is a want among the players to get a W for the seniors in their last go round.

Among the seniors is quarterback Cole Kramer who will make his first college career start. He is the ultimate loyalist who has stayed with the program through minimal playing time and changes in offensive coordinators.

Gopher linebacker Cody Lindenberg said Kramer never complained, just “put his head down and worked.” Lindenberg described it as “awesome” to see the former Eden Prairie star get his opportunity.

Kramer said “it means the world” to be leading the Gophers in the bowl game. He is an ultimate legacy player with his grandfather Tom Moe, uncle Bob Coughlin and cousin Carter Coughlin all being former Gophers.

Grandpa Moe began the legacy playing for the Gophers in the 1950s and was named team MVP in 1959, but he likely won’t be attending the bowl game. “I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Cole said. “He’s going through some things right now. But my dad’s side…my grandma and grandpa will be there. My fiancé and her family will be there, and my mom and my dad and my brother will be there as well.”

The Gophers are about a 4-point favorite to defeat Bowling Green, a team with a 7-5 record that closed fast winning five of its last six games. Fleck is 4-0 in bowl games but his struggling offense (averaged 20.2 points) and defense (uncharacteristic 26.2 points) need to show up with improved play.

The optics are such that the Gophers, playing against a non-Power Five team, must not only win but be impressive doing it. That will add to the juice of positivity created by today’s signing day and maybe ease the sting of losing coordinator Joe Rossi.

Rossi had more credibility than any assistant coach in the Fleck era. Fans and players had watched him turn Minnesota’s defense around in 2019 and beyond, with his units excelling in top 10 categories nationally. Last fall wasn’t Rossi-like but no one questioned his coaching chops even then.

The players referred to Rossi as a “guru” and it’s a painful departure that surprised them. Lindenberg and others felt they were blessed to play for a man with so much wisdom who also cared deeply about them. “…Yeah, just a lot to be grateful for that he’s been able to teach me,” Lindenberg said.

Why did Rossi leave? Maybe he thought Michigan State, with superior Name, Image and Likeness resources, offered the opportunity to coach for a bigger winner. For now his shadow hangs over the program but today’s recruiting class, a bowl win next week and the announcement of a high quality replacement in the days ahead can sooth the loss.

BTW: Stillwater-based Creative Charters is in the holiday spirit donating 20 airline seats for Bolder Options mentors and youth to attend the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit between the Gophers and Bowling Green on December 26. Creative has a sold-out plane doing a same day trip for the game and company owners Steve and Dorothy Erban are taking care of the game tickets, too!

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Strange Calls Slow Vikings’ Playoff Push in Loss to Bengals

Posted on December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 by David Shama

The reputation of Kevin O’Connell as a superb play-caller took a hit this afternoon in Cincinnati when the Vikings lost 27-24 in overtime to the Bengals. Consecutive short yardage tush-push calls in OT failed and turned the ball over to the Bengals who went down the field to kick a 29-yard winning field goal.

On third down in OT Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens tried tush-push No. 1 and came up short of a first down. Strangely, the fourth down play call was more of the same as Mullens lost yardage and was stopped inches short of a first down at the Bengals’ 42 yard line.

O’Connell indicated on the KFAN postgame radio show that the ball placement by the officials after the third down try may not have been accurate. Maybe that gave him confidence to use the same play again but why use Mullens in that kind of situation?

The backup quarterback was making his first start in a game in almost two years. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, the inexperienced Mullens isn’t a powerful runner. And among the tush-pushers was wide receiver Brendon Powell, one of the smaller NFL players at 5-8 and 181 pounds.

Ty Chandler, starting in place of the injured Alexander Mattison, had a breakout day for the Vikings rushing for 132 yards. It made sense to have Chandler, perhaps running behind fullback C.J. Ham, carry the ball on at least one of those vital downs.

Now the Vikings are 7-7, with three games remaining. They still have an opportunity to make the playoffs with home games against the Packers and Lions, and an away matchup with the Lions who lead the NFC North Division.

But this loss will rightfully have Purple followers wondering if the best outcome in the weeks ahead is to lose games and improve draft position. With a muddled quarterback future, the world knows the Vikings are interested in choosing a top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

More losses could push Minnesota toward a place among the top dozen or so draft selections. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings slide in that direction or continue their roller-coaster season with enough success to make the playoffs.

Worth Noting

Vikings fans can worry a bit more now about losing defensive coordinator Brian Flores after the season. The best head coaching job opening could be the Chargers with talented quarterback Justin Herbert. Playing without Herbert, the now 5-9 Chargers got thrashed last Thursday night by the Raiders, 63-21. Yes, that Raiders team which managed zero points in a 3-0 loss to the Vikings December 10.

Koi Perich, the Gophers’ highest ranked verbal commit, is reportedly considering signing with Ohio State next Wednesday. Here are a few points the Gophers can make to the sought after Esko, Minnesota safety:

Go to Ohio State and you will be known here as the high school superstar who said no to the home state team. Choose the Gophers, have a solid career in Dinkytown and you will be known as a home state hero—and that can present opportunities for life.
The Buckeyes, per 247Sports, already have three safeties among their verbal commitments. The opportunity to play sooner and longer could well be better in Minneapolis than Columbus.
Safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Nubin were honored as All-Americans in 2019 and 2023. That’s a statement about the coaching system and development at Minnesota.
Don’t choose a school just for Name, Image and Likeness rewards but do think of the NIL potential in your home state, including in northeastern Minnesota where the Gophers seldom find football players.

Name, Image and Likeness benefiting Golden Gophers athletes is doing well through the start-up Dinkytown Athletes. One challenge DA doesn’t face in the state is that Division I St. Thomas doesn’t have an NIL collective to compete with the Gophers.

Cole Kramer, the Gophers quarterback for the Motor City Bowl December 26, has one more season of eligibility but may not use it choosing to move on from college football. The former Eden Prairie star will marry Katie Miller in Rochester, Minnesota February 3.

Word is Eden Prairie defensive lineman Mo Saine, verbally committed in the Gophers 2024 recruiting class, is solid on his pledge.

Dating back to its inception in 2011 the Big Ten football championship game has been held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams, that will change in the future, probably after 2028. The title game is booked in Indy through that year, but Minneapolis (U.S. Bank Stadium) and Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium) seem likely future sites.

Justin Dungy, a high school senior cornerback in Florida and son of Gopher football alum and Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy, visited Montana State with his dad earlier this month. Justin is about 5-10, 155 pounds.

Dan Stoltz, SPIRE Credit Union president, and Kirk Cousins, Vikings quarterback, are good friends. After Cousins injured his Achilles earlier this fall, Stoltz stopped by his friend’s house to offer support.

Fans and media are skeptical, but the Twins and Byron Buxton are determined he will be the starting center fielder in 2024.

Future candidates to play that position could include Ricardo Olivar who was in 100 games last season for Single-A Fort Myers. He impressed offensively and the Twins appreciate his versatility in the field, playing catcher and center field!

Buxton, Royce Lewis, Pablo Lopez and many other players are scheduled for TwinsFest January 26-27 at Fillmore Minneapolis and Target Field.

The Twins and the other sports organizations in town continue to monitor the prospect of sports wagering becoming legal in Minnesota. It’s a good bet that it’s approved by the state in 2024. Minnesota is now surrounded by states who have already legalized sports wagering.

Have to think Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly strategizes everyday how he can acquire a quality backup point guard like native Minnesotan Tyus Jones with the Wizards. It’s a nightmare scenario if the Wolves lose 36-year-old Mike Conley Jr. for an extended period.

Gophers’ basketball forward Parker Fox, unselfish with a pass first, shoot second approach, had made 20 of his 26 field goal attempts, a gaudy .769 percentage. And better than his free throw percentage at .615.

Good-guy Dave Stead, the retired former executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, will take over the one-year volunteer position of Head Coach of the Twin Cities Dunkers in 2024. He will have program meeting responsibilities for the organization that through its Dunkers Fund provides financial assistance to the athletic programs of public Twin Cities high schools.

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