Timberwolves – Page 24 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

‘Critical’ Offseason Ahead for Fleck & Golden Gophers

Posted on November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers 2023 football team lacked talent and quality depth at too many positions. The result was a 5-7 overall record and 3-6 mark in the Big Ten that left them in a four-way tie for last place in the West Division.

Now coach P.J. Fleck and his staff face the challenge of upgrading the personnel and depth as the Big Ten transitions in 2024 to 18 football teams with no divisional play. And in the new world of college football Minnesota and other Power Five programs will try to figure out how to retain players and add players in the transfer portal who can contribute next fall while stockpiling incoming freshmen for development. The portal is open most immediately from December 4 through January 3, 2024.

The Gophers had experienced players at many positions, but they didn’t play consistent football. When things mattered the most—late in the season—they lost four consecutive games including Saturday’s finale with Wisconsin. A run of key injuries was problematic all season.

Minnesota could return most of its offensive and defensive starters, and special team regulars in 2024. The most significant losses are defensive tackle Kyler Baugh, center Nathan Boe, receiver Corey Crooms Jr., corner Tre’Von Jones, safety Tyler Nubin and tight end Brevyn-Spann Ford.

The best college teams excel at quarterback and along the line of scrimmage, offensively and defensively. QB Athan Kaliakmanis started all 12 games and was up and down in performance. Not only was his passing inconsistent but he made minimal plays with his legs. The offensive line blocking couldn’t match the performance of three recent seasons when Minnesota won nine games or more. Defensively, too often Minnesota’s line and linebackers were gashed with big runs, and the old nemesis of a poor pass rush continued.

Typically, Power Five teams lose a dozen or more players to the portal. Who those players will be on the Minnesota roster will be known over the next 30 days or so.

Where do the Gophers need help in the transfer portal? “Pick your position,” Ryan Burns said.

Burns, the local recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated, listed quarterback, receiver, running back and offensive and defensive lines as areas of need. If pressed for his top three he prioritizes corner, tailback and “probably quarterback.”

Burns predicts Fleck and his staff will prioritize Name, Image and Likeness money for players already on the roster. Retaining talents like RB Darius Taylor, offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery and end defensive Jah Joyner will be vital for next year’s team.

Burns said creating competition for Kaliakmanis is desirable but the Gophers are likely to find such a QB from the FCS or Group of Five level. Why? Because big name Power Five quarterbacks can command $250,000 and more in the portal.

Fleck, who has a 49-34 record at Minnesota and is fifth all-time in wins, starts his eighth season in 2024. He will have to sort out issues with the program including possible changes needed in coaching philosophy and schemes, and perhaps shaking up the staff.

Burns and others predict this offseason will be different. “Most critical one Fleck’s had, I would say,” Burns said. “It didn’t go their way this year—the breaks they probably weren’t anticipating, but still should have won two games, Illinois and Northwestern, and sitting at six or seven wins going into the Wisconsin game.

“If that’s the case I don’t know that there is as much fan reaction as there has been this season. …Being able to look short term and long term at the same time is going to be critical for him trying to figure out what the best thing is to adapt going into that 2024 new Big Ten world.”

Worth Noting

I am so sorry to write that my friend Jim Carter, the captain of the 1969 football Gophers, passed away on Thanksgiving evening in Palm Springs, California. I knew Jim for more than 50 years and he was a fiery competitor in sports, business and life. He was a loyal friend who cared deeply for the University of Minnesota where he also played hockey.

A great prep football player at South St. Paul High School, Jim could have opted for Notre Dame but instead chose the hometown Gophers. He was a star player and important contributor as the fullback on the 1967 Minnesota Big Ten championship team. The Green Bay Packers made a linebacker out of him and his NFL career lasted through the 1978 season.

Known to friends as “Hurricane,” Jim was challenged much of his life by emotions and addictions. He had been in recovery for about 20 years and devoted a lot of his free time to helping others with their addictions.

Jim passed away at age 75 after battling metastatic melanoma. Longtime friend, confidant and Gopher teammate Jim Brunzell wrote via email how he will miss their lunches, football get togethers and phone calls.

“Jimmy was a man’s man and called his life accordingly,” Brunzell wrote. “…May he rest in peace, ‘till we hug again.”

Former Gophers head football coach Tim Brewster has resigned as Colorado’s tight ends coach, per internet reports today.

Mike Conley, 36, is the poised point guard whose leadership is indispensable to the fast-starting Timberwolves. He has been in the NBA since the 2007-2008 season and an indication of his self-control is never receiving a technical foul.

Chet Holmgren, the 7-1 Minneapolis native in his first NBA season, is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game for the Thunder who play the Wolves at Target Center Tuesday night.

Tom Reid, the former NHL player and radio analyst for the Wild since the franchise’s inception in 2000, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game” with longtime host Patrick Klinger. Topics include how the recent death of Minnesotan Adam Johnson may influence safety new safety measures in the game. The show is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvNXskdASI&si=uLHbbftPajzUeD8W

Golfweek’s 2023 rankings of the best private courses in the state starts with Interlachen at No. 1 followed by Spring Hill, Minikahda and White Bear Yacht Club (tied at No. 3) and Hazeltine National. The next five are Windsong Farm, Somerset, Northland, Minneapolis and Golden Valley.

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Owner Agrees Wolves Are Anthony Edwards Led Team

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by David Shama

The Timberwolves open the regular season Wednesday night in Toronto against the Raptors and Sports Headliners recently interviewed Minnesota owner Glen Taylor about multiple topics including team leadership, expectations, and progress on selling majority control of the franchise.

Does the longtime owner agree with public perception that 22-year-old guard Anthony Edwards, about to start his fourth NBA season, is now the team leader? “The answer is yes to your question,” said the Mankato-based businessman who purchased the franchise in 1994.

Edwards, one of the most athletic and gifted players in the NBA, is on track to supplant forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns as the face of the franchise. In the last three seasons Edwards has increased his basketball wisdom while improving season scoring averages from 19.3 to 21.3 to 24.6. Presumably he will be asked to make the biggest of plays late in games to decide outcomes, while also excelling at playmaking and defense.

The maturation of Edwards was evident this summer when he played for the U.S. Men’s FIBA World’s team. He led the U.S. in scoring at 18.9 points per game and minutes (25.9) as the Americans placed fourth in the tournament. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals.

The lead role is expected to fall on Edwards, despite the greater experience of Towns, entering his ninth NBA season, and center Rudy Gobert, starting his 11^th. Both veterans earn roughly four times the salary of Edwards at $9.2 million, per ESPN.com.

Taylor’s expectations are for his players to excel this season, including the team’s two other starters, forward Jaden McDaniels and guard Mike Conley, Jr. “We should be one of the elite teams,” Taylor said after being told The Athletic predicts the Wolves will finish in a tie for third in the Western Conference.

“We have the guys (the talent),” Taylor said. “The other thing is it just appears watching them play the five preseason games that we are different this year. That the guys are more in tune. They’re playing really competitive ball right from the very beginning.

“Where in the previous years in the preseason we were always a little sloppy. We looked like we weren’t quite ready and stuff like that. And if we can just kind of keep playing…like we played in the preseason, we’ll get off to a good start. There’s no reason we can’t keep going, and then it gets down to injuries (determining wins and losses).”

Taylor is told that as a group the team came to training camp in better shape physically and with conditioning, and more prepared mentally. It appears, too, there is motivation to perform better after last season’s disappointing 42-40 record and eighth place finish in the Western Conference that was impacted by injuries.

Taylor decided in 2021 to sell the Wolves and Lynx franchises for $1.5 billion by the end of 2023, eventually giving majority control to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. Two payments have been made so far and it’s been an unusual installment plan for buying a professional sports franchise.

Lore and Rodriguez have apparently been financially challenged to raise the capital needed for majority ownership (Taylor will retain a minority interest). The final payment is due in December but apparently will be stretched out further, with Taylor’s approval. “I cannot see them getting it done at the end of December,” Taylor said.

Taylor hasn’t been in touch with Lore and Rodrguez for some time. “I am assuming the guys will get it done, but I have no knowledge. They don’t share anything with me so I can only assume they’ll get it done. I don’t know anything more than (when) we talked about a month ago or something like that.”

Danielle Hunter Trade Looking Less Likely by Vikings

An NFL insider thinks it’s possible the Vikings could trade sack master Danielle Hunter prior to the league trade deadline October 31 but questions the wisdom of such a move. A deal with a team like the Jaguars might fetch a first-round draft choice for the Vikings who could then have two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and leverage their draft capital to select a coveted quarterback.

The former executive with NFL teams said a few days ago that perhaps making it more likely Minnesota hangs on to its talented pass rusher would be if the then 2-4 Vikings split their next two games. Well, the Vikings took care of the 49ers Monday night with a 22-17 win, moving their record to 3-4. Next up are the 2-4 Packers, October 29 in Green Bay.

A 3-5 record, or 4-4, with a friendly schedule ahead could well have Vikings management thinking of competing for a place in the playoffs. At 2-6 the outlook would have been more discouraging for sure and conducive to strategizing for the future.

Danielle Hunter image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.

When healthy, Hunter has been a proven talent during his eight-year career as a defensive end and outside linebacker. “I don’t think they will trade Hunter,” the source said while speaking anonymously. “Why would you do that? He leads the league in sacks (nine). He’s only 28 years old. …He’s proven he can stay healthy the last couple years. Without him their pass rush is nothing—as far as the front people, without a blitz. He’s their best player on defense. Those pass rushers don’t come easily.

“I think it’s just been ridiculous speculation that they would trade him. Now if they lose to San Francisco and Green Bay, they’re sitting at 2-6, then they might reconsider if they could get a first-round pick. But I don’t think they’re going to do it without a first-round pick. …”

Hunter, who turns 29 on October 29, is on a one-year deal in 2023 and likely will be looking for $20 million per season or more on his next contract. That could give a potential trade partner pause if that franchise has serious salary cap issues.

Before signing his one-year deal Hunter wasn’t happy with his contractual situation and appeared willing to leave Minnesota. His new contract reportedly can pay him up to $20 million. Perhaps adding to Hunter’s happiness barometer is that he’s experienced how effective he can be in the new defensive system of first-year coordinator Brian Flores.

“…I don’t think he’s anxious to get out of here,” the authority said.

Gophers Football Notes

After the Gophers’ win over the Hawkeyes Saturday the team bused home and later coach P.J. Fleck and wife Heather toasted Minnesota’s first win in Iowa City since 1999 by having a “teeny bit” of bourbon from a bottle the coach had been saving for a first victory over Iowa, having lost six straight since he became Gopher coach.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Devon Williams has been improving dramatically and caused an Iowa fumble in the upset win Saturday. Fleck described Williams’ performance as one of the best by a linebacker he’s seen since taking over at Minnesota in 2017.

Top running backs Darius Taylor and Zach Evans didn’t finish the Iowa game because of apparent injuries. Fleck said he hopes to have one of them “in the mix” for Saturday’s home game with Michigan State.

Starting linebacker Cody Lindenberg has yet to play in seven games because of a leg injury. Fleck said it’s possible Lindenberg could play in four games and receive a redshirt season as allowed by NCAA rules.

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Rowdy Fans Bad Look for Hawkeyes Yesterday at Kinnick

Posted on October 22, 2023October 22, 2023 by David Shama

And how was your bacon this morning?

To Gophers fans it tasted like filet mignon.

Down in Iowa it tasted more like cardboard.

Minnesota won its rivalry game against Iowa yesterday in Iowa City, 12-10, in a controversial affair that sent Floyd of Rosedale back to Minneapolis. The bronze pig is supposed to symbolize how tensions can be eased and sportsmanship encouraged between the two rival schools and states.

That flew out the window late in the fourth quarter when too many Hawkeye fans lost control following a review disallowing an Iowa touchdown that would have put the hometown team ahead 16-12. Cooper DeJean’s punt return for the go-ahead score was negated after officials determined that before fielding the football, he signaled an illegal fair catch.

Iowa fans reportedly threw bottles, cans, and food onto the field. The Minnesota bench was targeted with debris, forcing the players to move out of their sideline area. Players and coaches had every right to be concerned about their safety.

Justin Gaard, sideline reporter on the Gopher radio network, put this up on X (formerly known as Twitter) yesterday: “This is year 13 on the sidelines. Trying to recall if fans anywhere have ever thrown so much stuff on the field like Iowa fans did tonight. I don’t remember it ever happening like that.”

The ruckus caused a delay in the game. It was a bad look for the Iowa fanbase.

Worse was the 2002 incident in Minneapolis when anarchy surfaced after Iowa’s 45-21 win over the Gophers. Fans stormed the field and tore down a goal post. Then they attempted to carry pieces out of the stadium but were stymied trying to get through the revolving doors. The Iowa athletic department later was billed for damages.

Floyd of Rosedale photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

The creation of Floyd in the 1930s came during a time of perhaps unparalleled tensions between Iowa and Minnesota. I remember my family telling me of how whiskey bottles hurled past Gopher players while playing at Iowa in that era. There must have been a lot of truth to that because before the 1935 game Iowa governor Clyde Herring threatened the Gophers saying, “If the officials stand for any rough tactics like Minnesota used last year, I’m sure the crowd won’t.”

Minnesota governor Floyd B. Olson responded with diplomacy, proposing a bet between the two state leaders over who would win the game. At stake were prize pigs from each state. The Gophers won the game and days after Herring marched a live pig into Olson’s office.

Calm had been restored in the rivalry. But never permanently as shown again yesterday when the Gophers ended an eight-game losing streak against the Hawkeyes.

There are classy Iowa fans for sure but even they would say there are too many boorish patrons among the Hawkeye faithful.

Worth Noting

Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin committed a difficult to understand unsportsmanlike penalty late in the second quarter when after the whistle he flipped the football out of an Iowa player’s grasp. It was one of four penalties for 40 yards the Gophers committed in setting up Iowa’s lone touchdown drive of the game.

The deadline is tomorrow for NBA contract extensions like the one the Timberwolves are trying to make with Jaden McDaniels. Owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners he isn’t sure if there is time to “cover the difference” between what the Wolves are offering and McDaniels wants prior to the deadline. Taylor said there is no questioning the Wolves value McDaniels, but a deal might have to wait until after the season.

“I don’t know where he’s really at,” Taylor said. “So far they have not been flexible, and I think we’ve tried to meet what we think is fair.”

That offer might be something like four years, $100 million for the 23-year-old versatile forward who the Wolves like a lot, including because he can guard at least three positions. “He’s gotta play this year, whether we sign him or don’t sign him,” Taylor said. “I mean it’s in his interest to play really well, and certainly at that point he’ll go out and try to get offers from other teams. …We have a right to match them (other team’s offers). I don’t know that it’s going to cost us any more that way than if we do it now. We’d like him to do it now because we’d like him to stay here for the long run, and we’d like him to know that.”

Predictions: John Hollinger from The Athletic has the Timberwolves tying with the Suns for the third best record in the Western Conference at 48-34. Sports Illustrated’s basketball issue out this month has the Wolves finishing No. 11 in the 15-team conference.

On the S.I. cover is former Wolves star Jimmy Butler, one of the most proven clutch players in the NBA who could lead the Heat to two consecutive NBA Finals. “…And I’m gonna whoop all y’all ass. Again,” he said in S.I.

Beth Goetz, who was deputy athletics director at Minnesota from 2013-2015, is interim athletics director at Iowa, and receiving strong support for the full-time job from school president Barbara Wilson, according to The Daily Iowan.

Honors: RB Darius Taylor of the Gophers was named a 247Sports Midseason True Freshman All-American last week. Minnesota senior safety Tyler Nubin made The Athletic’s second team for Mid-Season All-American.

The Wild is again close to 14,000 season tickets and some games are sold out, per owner Craig Leipold. Season tickets are still available for 2023-2024.

The Wild host a free open to the public outdoor practice starting at 11 a.m. Sunday, November 5 at the Recreation Outdoor Center in St. Louis Park. The event includes fan giveaways and activities. With space limited, fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Happy Birthday to Minnesota sports and entertainment icon Dick Jonckowski who turns 80 today, October 22. University of Minnesota alum and former Gopher golfer Harvey Mackay, widely known as a best-selling author and syndicated columnist, will be 91 on Tuesday. Happy birthday, Harvey.

Name, image and likeness rewards are a reality for a small number of Minnesota high school athletes. An educated guess is a dozen or so male and female athletes in the state are making money and receiving product in return for NIL.

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