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Category: Preps

Wolves Owner: KAT Return Not Imminent

Posted on February 1, 2023 by David Shama

 

All-NBA Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t played in a game for the Timberwolves since November 28 because of a severe right calf strain.  The Timberwolves have 29 regular season games remaining and are intensely competing for favorable playoff positioning and home court advantage.

Initially there was thought that the Wolves’ forward-center, who was averaging 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in 21 games, could return in January.  Team owner Glen Taylor talked with Towns Monday and the 27-year-old veteran implied it will be another couple of weeks before he is ready to play.

Glen Taylor

Towns was named All-NBA Third team after last season when he averaged 24.6 points and 9.8 rebounds. “It can’t be soon enough for me,” Taylor told Sports Headliners about a KAT return.

Jordan McLaughlin, a key reserve at point guard, hasn’t played in a regular season game since December 9 because of a left calf injury. Taylor spoke to McLaughlin on Monday and the 26-year-old hopes to be back “within a week.”

McLaughlin’s return apparently will be prior to KAT’s.  “That’s what my understanding would be,” Taylor said.

The Wolves expect a sellout crowd tonight at Target Center to watch their game against the Warriors.  Taylor said both attendance and TV viewership are on the upswing in the New Year as the Wolves play better basketball.

The Wolves, 27-26, are eighth in the Western Conference ultra-competitive positioning for the playoffs that can change nightly.  The Warriors, 26-24, are fifth in the standings.

Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to take over the majority share of ownership in the Wolves and WNBA Lynx in less than 12 months.  The two men are on an installment plan to purchase the teams from Taylor.

Although Lore and Rodriguez exercised in writing their option for a second payment in December, Taylor said payment won’t be made until March 28. “They requested that they could delay (from a December 31 payment date)…and I had written them back and said I’ll accept their new date.”

Does Taylor expect the ownership sale for $1.5 billion to eventually take place?  “Yes, I do,” he answered.

Remembering Ken Lien of Minnesota Mr. Basketball

The Minnesota basketball community lost a pioneer last week when Ken Lien, 72, passed away from blood cancer after being in hospice since November.  The longtime Bloomington resident loved basketball and for 40 years owned and chaired the Minnesota Mr. Basketball program, among the oldest such programs in the country annually recognizing the best prep player in the state.

”Outside of his love for his family, he loved going to a basketball game in any gym in the state and knowing probably half the people in the gym,” his son Jon wrote via email. “He truly had a love and passion for giving players opportunities through coaching, summer programs, and with Mr. Basketball.”

Ken Lien

Ken was a fan of this column and a friend for many years.  Two weeks ago, I texted this: “Ken, thinking about you and grateful for our friendship. We enjoyed a lot of conversations, storytelling, and exchange of information. The Sid (Hartman) stories were favorites. Those darn Gophers just can’t revive the glory days. Thank you for helping me with my column, my friend!”

Ken would have turned 73 on February 17, a birthday date he shared with wife Mary Kay. He also liked to remind others that the February 17 birthday club included basketball legend Michael Jordan and former Vikings coach Denny Green.

Heartfelt condolences to Mary Kay, sons Eric and Jon, and other family members. A memorial event will be held Monday at the Washburn-McReavy Bloomington Chapel with visitation at 10 a.m., services at 11 a.m. and lunch afterward.

Worth Noting

Wishing the best for Mike Wilkinson, who is battling pneumonia. He is the author of the coach Murray Warmath biography, The Autumn Warrior.

The No. 1 ranked Gopher men’s hockey team has played in front of five consecutive home sellout crowds.  Minnesota is second in the nation in attendance, averaging 8,980 per game and is behind only North Dakota’s 11,325.

Among Division I programs, the Gophers were third nationally in home attendance last season averaging 7,913, while trailing North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Two groups that support local sports, the Twin Cities Dunkers and the Capital Club, ironically both have programs next Wednesday.  At Interlachen Country Club Dunkers members will hear from University of St. Thomas sports leaders, including athletic director Phil Esten and multiple coaches as the Tommies progress in their second school year of Division I sports.

The Capital Club, meeting at Mendakota Country Club, will hear from five local women sports executives sharing their insights and success stories: Wendy Williams Blackshaw, Minnesota Sports and Events CEO & president; Meka Morris, Minnesota Twins executive vice president and chief revenue officer; Lara Juras, Minnesota Vikings executive vice president and chief people & culture officer; Carin Anderson, Minnesota Wild senior vice president; and Andrea Yoch, president and co-founder of Minnesota Aurora FC.

Happy 54th birthday today to former Gopher basketball player Walter Bond.

The University of Minnesota announced today that as part of her world tour, Beyoncé will perform July 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Deacon’s Lodge near Brainerd is the choice for Minnesota’s top public golf course on the Men’s Journal list of the best in each of the 50 states. Best Golf Courses in America: The Top Courses in Every State (mensjournal.com)

Comments Welcome

Big Names Chasing U 4-Star RB Commit

Posted on December 20, 2022December 20, 2022 by David Shama

 

In less than 24 hours the frenzy of National Signing Day for football players will be happening. The Golden Gophers have 20 verbal commitments from high school football players (per 247Sports) and they can’t be sure all will “row the boat” until signing their National Letters of Intent.

Among players worth fretting about today is four-star running back Darius Taylor from Walled Lake, Michigan.  He committed verbally to Minnesota last spring but he’s receiving last minute pressure to flip his commitment.

Ryan Burns, the recruiting authority aligned with GopherIllustrated and 247Sports, told Sports Headliners this is a “whirlwind” time for Taylor who could be the successor to Minnesota All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim next fall.  Gophers’ running backs coach Kenni Burns was instrumental in recruiting Taylor but he has departed for the head coaching job at Kent State.  Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa have been pushing for Taylor to decommit. In the last week Notre Dame has been in pursuit, too.

Burns said Gophers coaches, including P.J. Fleck, saw Taylor several days ago and indications are Taylor will keep his commitment.  But big brands are chasing Taylor who is known for his power and balance (like Ibrahim). “So, if Minnesota is able to hold on to Darius Taylor over Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan that it’d be a heck of a get for Minnesota,” Burns said.

The 247Sports national composite team rankings today have Minnesota at No. 39.  The Gophers’ recruiting classes typically have a final ranking in the high 30s or in the 40s.  That’s not flashy but is characteristic of developmental programs that usually have only a couple of four-star recruits at best and usually no five-stars.

P.J. Fleck

Fleck, hired in January of 2017, has found talent mostly in three-star players. This year’s team has two All-Americans in former three-star recruits Ibrahim and center John Michael Schmitz.  Other programs in the Big Ten West, including Iowa, also follow the developing talent model and sometimes with great success.

Burns said recruits who prioritize money won’t be choosing Minnesota.  Name, Image and Likeness compensation is being offered at some programs as part of the inducement process.  “…Minnesota is a school that will not promise NIL up front,” Burns said. “It’s just not the way they’re going to do it.  No. 1, it’s not legal.  No. 2 (the) compliance (department) here at the University of Minnesota would never allow that.”

As for the Gophers ranking at No. 39, Burns has an optimistic take. “I think there’s more ceiling in this class than maybe the rankings would dictate,” he said.

To illustrate the point Burns talked about Greg Johnson who 247 ranks a four-star in its evaluation but when factoring in other recruiting outlets gives the Prior Lake lineman a composite three-star ranking.  “I think he’s the best offensive line prospect since Joe Alt to come out of this state (two years ago). I mean I think the world of him. …I can see him being a multi-year starter for Minnesota, being an All-Big Ten type of guy that becomes drafted. I am very bullish on him.”

Burns is “bullish” too about safety Garrison Monroe from Shakopee. Seventeen Minnesota verbal commits have higher composite evaluations than Monroe, a three-star athlete with good length and speed.  “…He’s someone I just banged the table for at 247Sports, and now at 247 he’s the No. 4 prospect in the state,” Burns said.

When Burns spoke to Sports Headliners Monday morning, Decatur, Georgia wide receiver Kenric Lanier was one of three potential recruits he thought might verbally commit before Signing Day.  Later in the day 247 announced Lanier, a three-star who will play in the Army All-American Bowl in January, has flipped his Vanderbilt commitment for Minnesota after visiting the Gophers last weekend.

Burns said two others to watch are Iowa native Asa Newsom and Ohio prep Phillip Daniels. Newsom is a linebacker and Burns said the “Hawkeyes want him tremendously bad.” Daniels decommitted from Pitt awhile ago and is coveted by highly regarded Minnesota offensive line coach Brian Callahan (had five Gophers in the last two seasons who earned Big Ten recognition).

Verbally committing yesterday, too, was three-star wide receiver TJ McWilliams from Indianapolis.  He flipped his commitment from Purdue where the Boilers have lost offensive guru head coach Jeff Brohm.

The 2023 Gophers’ recruiting class also includes players from the transfer portal who Burns believes will help fill defensive and receiver needs. “I really like this transfer portal class,” he said.

Committing yesterday was former North Carolina defensive end Chris Collins who could give the pass rush a boost and certainly adds depth.  Two other transfer players on defense are Jack Henderson from Southeastern Louisiana and Ryan Selig from Western Michigan.  When Michael Dixon transferred from Minnesota after the season, that left a hole at safety that Henderson could fill.  Burns said Henderson was the highest graded player for three years in the Southland Conference, per Pro Football Focus. Selig will compete to replace graduating middle linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin.

The Gophers have placed an emphasis on receivers, with commitments from three high school players and two transfers. The most immediate help is likely to come from transfers Corey Crooms and Elijah Spencer.  Burns expects Crooms, from Western Michigan, to make an impact as a slot receiver who will be a threat on deep patterns and across the field.  Spencer, from Charlotte, was the 2021 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, and his presence on the outside will create a competitive situation for playing time with Gopher returnees.

Dylan Wright

Burns said the influx of receivers “speaks volumes” about Minnesota’s intention to pass the ball more and with more success than in the past under Fleck.  Those incoming receivers in the class of 2023 join Chris Autman-Bell, Dylan Wright, Daniel Jackson and possibly tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford if he decides to play another season at Minnesota.  It’s expected Minnesota will still be a run-focused offense next season—led by talented quarterback Nathan Kaliakmanis—but considerably more balanced than in the past.

“There is no more excuse for you not to throw the football if you’re P.J.Fleck,” Burns said.  “You have as much talent as you’ve had since that 2019 season (star wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson).”

Burns believes the Gophers might not be done with adding transfers.  Additional players could include a cornerback, and offensive and defensive linemen.

Comments Welcome

Vikings’ ‘D’ May Revive vs. Inept Colts

Posted on December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 by David Shama

 

It will be a bad look if the Vikings’ defense struggles again Saturday. The defensive unit and coordinator Ed Donatell will be scrutinized for their performance at U.S. Bank Stadium against a Colts offense that has been mostly inept this season.

The 4-8-1 Colts average just 16.1 points per game, ranking No. 31 among 32 teams.  They have the most turnovers in the NFL at 26. Quarterback Matt Ryan has a passer rating of 84 after throwing 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.

The Colts should be a welcome site to Donatell and his unit after their recent five-game nosedive. In that stretch the Vikings have given up 30.4 points per game and an average of  460.6 yards.  Worse news is that the 10-3 Vikings are 3-2 in those last five games.  Ryan rarely throws for 400 yards but if he does Saturday the Vikings could lose again.

At least among the public there is a lack of confidence in Donatell.  Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Donatell will call plays tomorrow. Asked earlier in the week if he would consider changing coaching assignments and play callers on gameday, O’Connell said, “You’re always looking at things that you think might be a possible answer to help the guys play better and be more consistent, but as of right now, no, not something I’m considering.”

The “as of right now” comment draws attention. It raises questions about Donatell, particularly with another defensive veteran on the staff in Mike Pettine, assistant head coach. Last year as a senior defensive assistant he helped the Bears improve to an overall No. 6 ranking in total defense.  Before that he had success as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. He has 28 years of high school, college and professional experience.

Donatell and the defense are definitely on the collective hot seat for the Vikings who have scored 312 points this season and given up 313.  Maybe facing Ryan can help get things turned around but in the last five games the Vikings have allowed the likes of Mike White (369) and Mac Jones (382) to pass for over 300 yards each.

Worth Noting

Did you know Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins is the only NFL QB with 3,000-plus passing yards and 20-plus touchdown passes in each of the past eight seasons?

Former Vikings wide receiver Nate Burleson will provide analysis on Saturday’s NFL Network game between Minnesota and the Colts. The game will also be seen locally on KSTP.

Nate is the younger brother of Kevin Burleson, the former Gopher basketball guard and ex-Timberwolves assistant coach.  Kevin is head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League.

The Vikings-Patriots game and two other NFL games televised on Thanksgiving had an average minute audience of 44.1 million viewers, per NFL Communications.

Evans with Gopher fan Arnie Tietz.

There’s a lot of deserved hype about Gophers’ basketball recruit Dennis Evans from Riverside, California because of his defensive prowess but he is very raw offensively, a reality that may have given other college programs pause in pursuing the 7-foot-1 center.

This year’s Gophers, 5-6 and 0-2 in Big Ten games, have myriad issues including guard play.  Tre Holloman, the freshman point guard at Michigan State from Minneapolis, could have helped.  Holloman isn’t starting but has played in all 11 games, totaling 111 minutes and has made just two turnovers.

Second-year coach Ben Johnson’s team is struggling, looking dysfunctional at times and right now Minnesota is a favorite to finish last in the Big Ten for a second consecutive season. The Gophers are No. 244 in the NCAA net rankings of men’s Division I NCAA teams.

At least publicly, it seems like the buzz around the program is looking toward the 2023-2024 season when another hyped recruit, guard Cameron Christie from Rolling Hills, Illinois, shows up—but there are too many things that can happen between now and next fall to forecast a big turnaround for the program.

Sending best wishes to Jimmy Williams, the former Gophers basketball assistant coach and ace recruiter for Bill Musselman and Jim Dutcher, who has advanced Parkinson’s and is living in Tampa.

For a Name, Image and Likeness deal, men’s basketball players from Baylor and Gonzaga were paid by event organizers to promote their neutral site game in Sioux Falls earlier this month. Players received $8,000 each, per a Sports Headliners source.

Not saying it’s certain but don’t be surprised if Karl-Anthony Towns‘ calf injury doesn’t allow a return to Timberwolves game action until February.

It looks like a modest number of Gophers fans will attend the December 29 Pinstripe Bowl in New York City at Yankee Stadium. Reporters will be stationed in the open-air press box.  Accuweather.com forecasts a cloudy day with a high of 36 on December 29.

Lou Nanne has been watching Sammy Walker since the now Wild forward was a pre-teenager.  He told KFAN’s Dan Barreiro this week that Walker might be the fastest player on the team and he likes the former Gopher’s future but wants to see checking improvement.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said next year’s salary cap may rise by only $1 million per year next year. If so, that could put a player like the Wild’s Matt Dumba, reportedly at about $6 million next year, on the spot regarding his future in Minnesota.

The Gopher wrestling team, with no matches now until January 1 at the Southern Scuffle, is 7-0 and has moved up to No. 9 nationally in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll. The top five ranked teams are Penn State, Iowa, Ohio State, Arizona State and Michigan.

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