Timberwolves – Page 100 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

National Championships Coach Praises Kill

Posted on November 1, 2013November 3, 2013 by David Shama

J Robinson, 67, has coached the Gophers to three national championships in wrestling. He has strong philosophies about coaching and life, and doesn’t hesitate to express them.

“You’re put here for a purpose. You’re not put here to be happy,” Robinson told Sports Headliners.

Robinson is a former Army Ranger who when asked about Gophers football coach Jerry Kill brought up leadership. Robinson, who attended both Ranger and Jungle Warfare School before serving in Vietnam, said leadership isn’t measured just when the leader is present. A test of leadership is whether things “fall apart,” or if they function successfully when the leader is absent.

At times the Gophers have been without their football leader because of Kill’s absence to better manage his epilepsy, but the program has excelled in wins the last two Saturdays over nationally ranked Northwestern and Nebraska. Kill played a partial role in those wins but they wouldn’t have happened without the staff he hired and the players he tutored in two-plus seasons as Minnesota’s head coach.

The success doesn’t surprise Robinson. “He’s got a formula for what I would call success,” Robinson said.

That “formula” has various elements from identifying player personnel to infusing discipline into the program to being willing to trust and delegate responsibilities to assistant coaches. The Gophers are a surprising 6-2 so far this season and maybe on track to duplicate third year turnarounds Kill led at Southern Illinois (10-2) and Northern Illinois (10-3).

Last Saturday’s win over Nebraska, a school the Gophers hadn’t defeated since 1960, was a potential program-changing victory. But to make that a reality this Minnesota team will have to distinguish itself from others who have had similar headline making upsets.

The 1977 team upset No. 1 ranked Michigan 16-0 in Minneapolis, then lost games the next two weeks and finished 7-5 after being 6-5 the year before. In 1986 the Gophers surprised No. 2 ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor but lost the next two games, ending with a 6-6 record after the previous season’s 7-5 mark.

In 1999 the Gophers surprised No. 2 Penn State in “Happy Valley” and won their next two games before losing in the Sun Bowl to Oregon. That season the Gophers were 8-4, winning three more games than in 1998 but in 2000 and 2001 the records were disappointing, 6-6 and 4-7.

The Gophers also surprised Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2005, only to lose the next two games and finish the season at 7-5 after being 10-3 in 2003. Coach Glen Mason was fired after the 2006 bowl game when the Gophers were 6-7.

At Indiana tomorrow the Gophers will try to do the unusual, follow up on a major win with another victory and signal a major shift in the program. Quarterback Philip Nelson said beating Nebraska, college football’s winningest program since 1970, was a confidence booster. “I think this one’s a big one just because Nebraska is a great team. Nobody really ever expects us to really win that much.”

Worth Noting

Freshman wide receiver Donovahn Jones ran four times from scrimmage for 40 yards against Nebraska. A converted prep quarterback, he is still learning how to play wide receiver.

Asked how close he is to becoming a primary receiver Jones said, “I have a little more learning before I get to that point. I am not that far away.”

Jones, who turned down a Missouri program that wanted him to be a wide receiver, said he isn’t interested in returning to quarterback. The position demands passing skills he doesn’t believe he possesses. He also said senior wide receiver Derrick Engel and freshman running back Berkley Edwards are probably the only offensive players faster than he is.

Gophers deputy athletic director David Benedict said earlier this week more than 5,000 tickets remain for the Penn State game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 9.

St. Thomas Academy coach Dave Ziebarth earned his 100^th career win last week. Ziebarth, 100-26-0, coaches his team tonight against Henry Sibley in the Section 5-5A championship playoff game.

Texas native Adrian Peterson is requesting 62 tickets for people he knows to attend Sunday’s game in Arlington, Texas against the Cowboys. The Vikings All-Pro running back said he was a Cowboys fan growing up.

Peterson still has tightness in his right hamstring but said keeping it warm and stretching enables him to run effectively. “Last week (Sunday’s game) I felt good,” he said. “It’s probably the best I’ve felt in a couple of weeks. This week I’ve just got better.”

Cordarrelle Patterson is the only NFL player with two kickoff returns for touchdowns this season. The Vikings rookie didn’t even return kickoffs in high school, had one touchdown in junior college and two in college. His returns this season are for 105 yards and 109 yards, a distance that is tied for the NFL record.

Vikings placekicker Blair Walsh said he is no longer bothered by a left hamstring injury and will be able to kickoff and handle other kicking in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Coach J Robinson has eight All-Americans returning to his wrestling team and believes the Gophers could contend for the national championship. InterMat’s rankings have three Big Ten schools as the best in the country with Penn State No. 1, Iowa No. 2 and Minnesota No. 3.

The Gophers basketball team opens its exhibition schedule tonight with a 7 p.m. game against Cardinal Stritch. New Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said earlier in the week he’s been impressed with his team’s attitude and poor practices have been minimal.

Pitino described junior guard Kendal Shell as a player that at first he questioned having on the roster, but not any more. Shell played in nine games for a total of 20 minutes averaging 0.7 points per game last season. “Kendall is the most improved player by far,” Pitino said.

Another changed player is junior forward Mo Walker who has lost almost 60 pounds after not being able to play effectively at 310 pounds last season. Pitino wants more change, though. “He needs to be meaner on the court,” the coach said.

Drake transfer Joey King, who is from Eagan, expects a lot of family and friends at games. The sophomore forward said his grandparents are talking about “getting a bus” for game day supporters.

Wally Ellenson, another sophomore forward for the Gophers, is the brother of Henry Ellenson who is ranked as the No. 42 player nationally in the prep class of 2015 by Rivals.com. Wally said his brother (Rice Lake, Wisconsin) has grown a couple more inches to 6-10. “He kind of wants to stop but I don’t think he has a choice,” Wally said.

Junior forward Oto Osenieks only averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last season but now might become a starter. Osenieks passed on an opportunity to tryout for the Latvian team that played in the European championships this summer. With a new Gophers coach and changes in the program, he stayed in Minneapolis to improve. “I don’t regret my decision. I got so much better in the summer.”

Osenieks said he’s become a more aggressive player while remaining an “unselfish” teammate. “I am not afraid of contact,” he said.

Osenieks is taking business courses in school and some day may open a Latvian restaurant in Minneapolis. “I love it here,” the Riga, Latvia native said.

Daquein McNeil, the Gophers freshman guard from Baltimore talking this week about the weather in Minneapolis: “I hope it doesn’t get colder.”

The Wolves are at home tonight against the Thunder, a favorite to win the NBA title and the club that new Minnesota shooting guard Kevin Martin played for last season. Martin’s NBA stops have also included the Kings and Rockets where he played for Wolves coach Rick Adelman. Martin was a major scorer for Adelman’s Rockets in 2010-11, averaging 23.5 points per game.

Wolves power forward Kevin Love played in only 18 games last season because of injuries but had a memorable season in 2011-2012. He became only the third player in NBA history (Larry Bird, 1984-85; Charles Barkley, 1992-93) to average 25+ points and 10+ rebounds while making 50+ three-pointers.

Former Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn is living in Portland and looking for his next career opportunity. Wolves owner Glen Taylor said Kahn contacted him asking for assistance regarding a potential position that didn’t work out.

Wolves CEO Rob Moor said renovation of Target Center is expected to begin late next spring or early summer. Changes to the building will happen in phases over about an 18 month period and could force the Lynx to find another home court for some games.

Moor also said that while seating capacity for concerts will increase there will not be additional seats for basketball as part of the $100 million renovation.

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Kill Trades Sideline ‘Fire’ for Press Box

Posted on October 30, 2013October 30, 2013 by David Shama

Notes, quotes and opinions during a busy sports week that not only includes Gophers football, the Vikings and Wild, but also opening games for Gophers basketball and the Timberwolves.

Jerry Kill expects to be working in the coaches’ booth in the press box above Memorial Stadium in Bloomington on Saturday rather than on the sidelines when his Gophers play Indiana. Kill is figuring out how to manage his epilepsy with medications and lifestyle. He has attended all recent practices and was in coaches’ booths the last two Saturdays as the Gophers pulled off upset wins over Northwestern and Nebraska.

An intense and dedicated worker even for a college football coach, Kill is determined to make changes that will help in his battle against seizures. “I gotta work smarter,” he said yesterday. “I got great people (assistants).”

Kill’s activities from the coaches’ booth include communicating with his quarterbacks. Philip Nelson was asked if there is an aspect that even if minimal is missed with Kill not on the sidelines. “Yeah, I think just having his fire out there. It’s something that I personally miss but at the same time what we’re doing (as a team) is working,” the Gophers sophomore quarterback said. “I know coach Kill is pretty superstitious so I know he might stay in the box as long as we keep winning.”

Kill noted that retired college football legend Darrell Mudra coached from the press box during his career and won national championships. “I kind of enjoy it up there,” said Kill who indicated he’s working more like 10-hour days now instead of 16. Count on Kill providing plenty of passion to his team in game day locker room situations.

ESPN reported last Saturday that draft expert Todd McShay ranks the Gophers’ Ra’Shede Hageman as the No. 5 defensive lineman prospect for next year’s NFL Draft. Hageman’s improved play as a senior is a top of the list reason why the Gophers are 6-2 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten and winners of their last two games including a 34-23 win over top 25 ranked Nebraska last Saturday.

Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys has become an admirer of Hageman, a former tight end still learning how to play on the defensive line. “If they had a draft (in the Big Ten) for d-linemen, I am telling you I would not want to play against Ra’Shede with the way he’s playing and how much better he’s getting each week.”

In a dominant performance against Nebraska, Hageman had three tackles, one sack and two tackles for losses. A press box observer compared the work of the Gophers’ nose guard to the legendary Bobby Bell, Minnesota’s two-time All-American defensive tackle in the 1960s who won the Outland Trophy.

The Gophers will welcome a career day from the 6-6, 311-pound Hageman against the Hoosiers. Indiana (3-4, 1-2) leads the Big Ten in passing with 342.7 yards per game and a few Hageman sacks of the quarterback could help turn things Minnesota’s way.

Claeys, who has been the team’s acting head coach when Kill is absent, said this about the Gophers’ potential: “I think there’s bigger wins out there for us if we continue to work and believe in each other. …”

The Gophers led Nebraska 17-13 at halftime. Since the 2011 season, when the Kill era began, Minnesota is 12-0 in games when leading at halftime.

ESPN College GameDay last Saturday featured senior Stanford center Conor McFadden, a former walk-on from Sun Fish Lake, Minnesota who according to the show learned the Cardinal playbook in only three days. His brother Pat McFadden, who also played at St. Thomas Academy, is a freshman walk-on running back.

Former quarterback Joe Webb now converted to wide receiver by the Vikings will be a free agent after this season. “I still have quarterback in my heart but right now just trying to help the Vikings at receiver,” he told Sports Headliners.

Brad Childress lost his job as Vikings head coach after the Packers won 31-3 in Minneapolis in November of 2010. Don’t expect the same for Leslie Frazier whose team was embarrassed by the Packers 44-31 last Sunday at Mall of America Field. One difference is that other than perhaps wide receivers coach George Stewart there’s not a top candidate on the staff to succeed Frazier, who was Childress’ defensive coordinator.

But Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf were at Sunday’s game when the Packers dominated Minnesota and they know enough about football to not be pleased with the loss, or the team’s unexpected 1-6 start to the season.

Frazier on whether he foresaw his team’s troubles after being 10-6 and in the playoffs last season: “…There was no scenario that went through my mind that would have told me that we’d be 1-6 at this juncture. Looking at the way our games have transpired, I do understand why we are where we are. As I said earlier, I do believe we can get some things fixed and get going here. There are definitely some things we have to work on to get done, but I think it’s possible to get done.”

Frazier said new quarterback Josh Freeman, who had been diagnosed with a concussion, received permission to play last Friday although he didn’t participate in the Packers game. Either Freeman or Christian Ponder will be announced today or later in the week as the starting quarterback.

The Cowboys, who host the Vikings on Sunday in Texas, are in first place in the NFC East with a 4-4 record and remain the most popular NFL team in the nation, according to a Harris Poll released two week ago. “America’s Team” is No. 1 even though the Boys have only one playoff win since 1996.

The Packers were No. 2 in the poll, the Vikings No. 13.

The Wild won’t be road weary this week. The team lost to the Blackhawks at home on Monday night and had yesterday off. There will be practices today and tomorrow at Xcel Energy Center followed by a home game Friday against the Canadiens. Then practice at home on Saturday and a game against the Devils on Sunday at Xcel.

Former Gophers point guard Ariel McDonald is an assistant boys basketball coach at Providence Academy in Plymouth. He will also do Gophers analysis for 1500 ESPN.

Gophers coach Richard Pitino showing his sense of humor on his Gophersports.com blog writing about FIU transfer Malik Smith and his performance in a scrimmage: “He didn’t hurt any of our great fans with his errant passes.”

Pitino said he won’t inform his players until Friday who the starters will be for that evening’s opening exhibition game against Cardinal Stritch at Williams Arena. The starting lineup will change multiple times in the week’s ahead. Cardinal Stritch, located in Milwaukee, won the 2013 NAIA Division II national championship.

The Timberwolves open the regular season tonight at home against the Magic who are trying to convert former Hoosiers All-American forward Victor Oladipo into a point guard as a rookie.

Here are several things to know about the local NBA club that also plays at Target Center on Friday night against the Thunder, perhaps the best team in the Western Conference.

Unless this club has another run of devastating injuries, expect the Wolves to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The talent and coaching are in place to finish 12 to 18 games over .500.

The Wolves will score points and some nights could be the league’s most entertaining bunch. A lack of experience and defensive lapses may limit the postseason run, though.

Power forward Kevin Love might extract more success from his skills than any All-Star in the NBA. Still waiting for those marvelous length of the court outlet passes he threw during his one season at UCLA.

Not sure yet if Ricky Rubio is more Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson, Pete Maravich or Bob Cousy. But know this: the Wolves point guard is one special playmaker and he’s only 23.

Center Nikola Pekovic’s short arms don’t suit him well for blocking shots but the man is scary strong. That attribute serves him well on offense and defense where he can shove opponents into places on the court they don’t want to be.

Shooting guard Kevin Martin makes a lot of bull’s-eyes and is the team’s best offseason acquisition. His marksmanship helps counter the limited shooting skill of small forward Corey Brewer who can contribute best as Mr. Defense.

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Kill Likely Working Tomorrow at Game

Posted on October 25, 2013October 25, 2013 by David Shama

Jerry Kill hasn’t coached the Gophers in a game since September 28 but tomorrow he could be more involved with the team, working from the press box at TCF Bank Stadium when Minnesota plays Nebraska.

Kill has been searching for answers regarding his seizures, and indications are he is taking a cautious step-by-step approach to resuming responsibilities as head coach. Kill surprised most everyone when his wife Rebecca drove them from Minneapolis to Evanston early last Saturday morning. The coach watched the Gophers and Wildcats from the press box, and inspired his team with his presence including in the locker room.

“He means so much to us,” defensive end Theiren Cockran said.

It’s well documented there is a lot of affection between Kill and his players. “My reaction (to last Saturday) was my heart just dropped and I was so glad to see him up and healthy,” quarterback Philip Nelson said.

Kill didn’t even attend the Michigan game on October 5 because he had suffered a seizure and didn’t do any coaching in Evanston but a Gophers source who didn’t want to be identified expects Kill to be more active in tomorrow’s game.

Tracy Claeys, the team’s defensive coordinator who is temporarily head coach, said Kill was in the office earlier this week and expected him at practice. “I am sure he will be in the press box (tomorrow),” Claeys said.

If Kill isn’t in the press box and taking a larger role with game day direction, it may indicate a setback in his process of trying to find the right medications and other solutions to the recurring seizures that have drawn national attention. Nelson is optimistic about Kill’s progress. “I think the way that he was on Saturday, I think we’re getting pretty close to seeing him around a little bit more,” Nelson said.

Kill frequently talks about having a “signature win” for his program and there is an opportunity tomorrow against 5-1 Nebraska, a top 25 team and a program the Gophers haven’t defeated since 1960. Minnesota is 5-2 after defeating Northwestern and needs one more win to become bowl eligible for a second consecutive season.

The Gophers are 1-2 in the Big Ten with five more conference games remaining on the eight game league schedule. With the midway point of the Big Ten schedule reached tomorrow for Minnesota, here are the latest Sports Headliners power rankings of league teams along with projected final records in conference games.

1. Ohio State, 8-0

2. Wisconsin, 7-1

3. Michigan State, 7-1

4. Nebraska, 7-1

5. Michigan, 5-3

6. Iowa, 4-4

7. Penn State, 3-5

8. Indiana, 3-5

9. Northwestern, 1-7

10. Illinois, 2-6

11. Minnesota, 2-6

12. Purdue, 0-8

Northwestern, 0-3 and a preseason favorite to win the Legends Division, might be better than Penn State and Indiana but early schedule losses and injuries, combined with demanding upcoming games against Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State, will make this a surprisingly difficult season for the Wildcats who will defeat Illinois in the season finale.

The Gophers’ second Big Ten win and sixth overall victory will come at home November 9 against Penn State. Next best opportunity is November 2 at Indiana but that’s a circle-it game for the Hoosiers too.

Worth Noting

Gophers interim coach Tracy Claeys on what he did to celebrate Minnesota’s win over Northwestern Saturday: “I went to bed once we got back (home).”

Gophers sophomore defensive end Theiren Cockran has four sacks in seven games. He is tied with three others for the second most sacks in the Big Ten Conference. Cockran is dedicated to watching video of pro football’s best pass rushers including Aldon Smith and Von Miller. “Their technique is unbelievable…but it’s mostly their will and determination to get back there (into the backfield),” Cockran said.

Peter Mortell, a non-scholarship walk-on sophomore, is the second leading punter in the Big Ten with a 43.6 yard average. Mortell said in high school he received scholarship offers from Air Force and Central Michigan. Northwestern also wanted him to walk-on.

Mortell completed a pass last year on a fake field goal attempt against Michigan. Asked if the Gophers might have a fake punt play where he passes, he said, “Yes, sir. I hope so.”

Josh Freeman has lost nine of his last 10 starts as an NFL quarterback including his debut with the Vikings on Monday night. Christian Ponder, the man he replaced, is 5 and 5 in his last 10.

The Packers, who play the Vikings on Sunday night at Mall of America Field, have won three consecutive games and are in first place in the NFC North with a 4-2 record. The Packers (nine) and Vikings (five) have won 14 of the last 19 NFC Central/North Division championships.

Mike McCarthy, Packers head coach since 2006, is 10-4 against the Vikings during regular season games and swept Minnesota in four seasons, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said his hamstring injury dates back “four or five weeks” but the coaches didn’t know about it until last week. The hamstring has improved and Peterson expects to run with confidence Sunday in a game he describes as a “must-win.”

“This is a divisional game. It’s a home game,” Peterson said. “We’re 1-5 so we need to pull out everything we can.”

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has 17 career sacks against the Packers, the second most ever against Green Bay by an NFL player. Steve McMichael, with 18, has the most.

The game Sunday evening will be televised on NBC with Edina’s Michele Tafoya doing sideline reporting. Analyst Cris Collinsworth criticized the pass blocking of Vikings left tackle Phil Loadholt during a preseason game in August. It will be interesting to hear if he critiques Loadholt and the struggling Vikings line.

Former Viking and Packer Darren Sharper will be the radio sideline reporter for WestwoodOne Sports.

The Vikings continue to negotiate with the Gophers regarding details for use of TCF Bank Stadium in 2014 and 2015. Issues include possible seat expansion, field heating and concession stands.

Bethel (6-0, 4-0 MIAC) hosts Gustavus (4-2, 2-2) tomorrow in a showcase conference football game. Bethel will try to limit the productivity of Gustavus running back Jeffrey Dubose who has 845 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in six games.

The Timberwolves are the eighth best team in the Western Conference, according to Sports Illustrated’s NBA preview issue published this week. The review of the Wolves includes quotes from an anonymous scout who raves about point guard Ricky Rubio’s passing and court vision. “Rubio’s ability is so off the charts that even if he only became a passable shooter, he could be an All-Star,” the scout said.

Gophers men’s and women’s basketball coaches Richard Pitino and Pam Borton will host a joint media day on campus Monday. Thursday they will be in Chicago for Big Ten Basketball Media Day. Pitino will bring Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins to Chicago to meet with the media while Borton’s players will be Rachel Banham, Sara Nogi and Micaella Riche. BTN.com will stream live coverage of media day from Chicago.

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