Timberwolves – Page 45 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Odds So-So on Vikings Home Run Pick

Posted on April 28, 2021April 28, 2021 by David Shama

What is the likelihood the Minnesota Vikings will make a home run pick in the seven round NFL Draft that begins Thursday and ends Saturday? Can general manager Rick Spielman find another Justin Jefferson (class of 2020) or Dalvin Cook (2017)?

In the last five drafts Jefferson and Cook have turned out to be the only high impact players from those years. That’s 40 percent on franchise-turning selections and shows it’s challenging being a draft specialist like Spielman.

There’s no guarantee of drafting an elite player in the first round. Laquon Treadwell, the 2016 first rounder, was a bust. Mike Hughes, from 2018, has struggled to get on the field, and while 2019 first rounder Garrett Bradbury has been a two-year starter he hardly draws raves.

Dalvin Cook (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Jefferson went late in the first round and made Spielman look like prophetic after having one of the best rookie seasons ever for an NFL wide receiver. Cook wasn’t selected until the second round but his production at running back is worthy of all-pro recognition and he carries the offense.

With draft results dicey despite all the expertise and man hours devoted to the process, it’s no wonder Spielman hoards draft choices hoping to find a gem. “I treasure those and I try to collect as many as I can,” Spielman said after the Vikings drafted an NFL record 15 players in 2020.

Spielman has extra picks going into Thursday’s draft but is without a second rounder. With that hole and his reputation for making trades, it’s likely the Vikings will fill their void. Having 11 picks also allows Spielman to draft players who otherwise he would have to pursue as college free agents.

Spielman predicted at his news conference yesterday if the Vikings stay at No. 14 in the first round they will acquire a “very good football player.” Much of the speculation is he will take an offensive tackle at No. 14 but Spielman gave no hints about what he will do and indicated the Vikings will choose the proverbial best player available. “There is no position off limits in this draft,” he said.

The Vikings’ evaluators spend a lot of time anticipating where players will fall in the draft with 600 prospects currently on their board. Spielman said 100 of those prospects play the same position but, of course, didn’t offer further information.

Worth Noting

Condolences to my friend Denny Schulstad following the recent death of his wife Pam. The Schulstads shared many interests including their passion for Golden Gophers football.

The improving Minnesota Timberwolves, with a 19-44 season record, have won three consecutive games after defeating the Houston Rockets last night. Minnesota’s reserves out-scored Houston’s 54-23 in the 114-107 win. The 54 points total made the Wolves second in the NBA in bench scoring at 40.8 per game.

Minnesota Twins radio play-by-play voice Cory Provus had a candid interview about MLB’s slow pace of play with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli last Sunday, prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Provus referenced a startling stat—last season fans waited an average of four minutes during games to see the baseball put in play (see Tom Verducci’s SI.com March 17 article). In the noon to 12:30 p.m. interview Baldelli acknowledged the concerns about lengthy games and said he is interested to see how experimental changes in the minor leagues will work.

Baldelli misses the friendship and wisdom of Mike Bell, the superb Twins bench coach who died of kidney cancer earlier this year. Bell, 46, had extensive experience in various baseball roles including player development.

Look for Twins Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler and Miguel Sano to return soon. Sano has a hamstring strain, Garlick and Kepler are on COVID IL.

Kenta Maeda, who was the losing pitcher for the Twins last night against the Cleveland Indians, now has a surprising 6.56 ERA (career 3.84). Cold weather this spring has apparently been a challenge for Maeda who joined the Twins in 2020 when the pandemic impacted season didn’t begin until July—and before that pitched in Los Angeles for the Dodgers. Lower temps can make it more difficult to grip the baseball.

Ticket King owner Mike Nowakowski said tickets for the much anticipated Gophers-Buckeyes football game at TCF Bank Stadium Thursday, September 2 start at $100 and he has sold more than 300 tickets. “Every Gopher fan has circled that game on his calendar, much more than the Badgers or Nebraska,” he said.

The Vikings’ 2021 home schedule is loaded with box office draws including a rare Minneapolis visit by the Pittsburgh Steelers from the AFC. The Steelers have fan following in Minnesota and next fall could be the last season for 39-year-old quarterback hero Ben Roethlisberger. “We’ll get nailed (ticket demand) on that one,” Nowakowski said.

Goal Line Club members on Friday will watch a Zoom preview of Saturday’s Gopher spring game from Ryan Burns and Luke Buer of Gopher Gridiron Podcast. Attendance for the game at TCF Bank Stadium is capped at 10,000.

It’s farewell week for WCCO Radio’s Dave Lee who is leaving the station after 30 years to retire. Lee has spent 29 of those years hosting his popular morning show, rising early in the morning to be at the station by 3:45 a.m. Asked about retirement plans, Lee quipped, “Use the summer to sleep past three in the morning.”

Lee was the radio play-by-play voice of Gophers football for 10 years and basketball for five. He had to give up basketball sooner than he wanted because his absence from the morning show impacted listening audience and potential advertising revenues. Lee told Sports Headliners he will continue play-by-play TV for the state football and basketball tournaments, and is considering other freelance opportunities.

Lee, 67, has been named Minnesota Sportscaster of the Year six times. A North Dakota native, he has been working at some job since he was 12. “I’ve never not worked,” Lee said as he thought what retirement might be like.

Brian Cosgriff, Paige Buecker’s high school coach at Hopkins, said the University of Connecticut freshman who won multiple national player of the year awards, is lifting weights to add strength to her 5-foot-11 frame. “I know if anybody is going to train hard, it’s Paige Bueckers,” Cosgriff told Sports Headliners.

The Huskies lost to Arizona in a Final Four semifinal game earlier this month. Next year’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is in Minneapolis. “I know her goal is nothing short of a national championship,” Cosgriff said.

CORES spokesman Jim Dotseth said the organization is hopeful about resuming its lunch programs in September. Featuring local sports speakers, CORES has yet to meet this year because of the pandemic. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

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Vikings to Pick O-Lineman, But Wait

Posted on April 26, 2021April 26, 2021 by David Shama

Mock NFL Drafts have the Minnesota Vikings choosing an offensive lineman with their No. 14 first round selection Thursday night. “I would go offensive lineman, there is no doubt about that,” agreed former Viking Bob Lurtsema.

Lurtsema, who still follows the team with passion, was asked about taking the best player regardless of position. “I’d go best offensive lineman (available),” he answered.

That could be Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw who has excelled at the offensive line position the Vikings need the most help at, left tackle. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, with limited mobility, needs a stud left tackle to protect his blind side and Darrisaw’s athleticism is impressive.

No guarantee, though, Darrisaw will be available when the Vikings make their first round pick. It’s a possibility he will, with as many as five quarterbacks expected to eat up draft slots early in the draft. Oregon’s Penei Sewell is the most coveted offensive lineman in the draft and almost certain not to be available to the Vikings unless Minnesota moves up the draft board with a trade.

Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker could both be available to Minnesota. Both have shorter arms than ideal, with Slater’s arm extension measured at 33 inches and Vera-Tucker’s 32⅛, per NFL.com. Lurtsema said his long arms were a key in his playing 12 years on the defensive line in the NFL. Extra extension is important for offensive and defensive linemen, with the man in control able to move a foe like the guy is on roller skates. “You’ve got total control,” Lurtsema said.

Darrisaw’s arm length is 34¼ inches, but neither he, Slater or Vera-Tucker may be Minnesota’s preferred selection in the first round. Vikings’ needs include an edge rusher to pair with Danielle Hunter, or even replace the talented defensive end if Minnesota can’t meet future contract expectations. Although the Vikings have given extra attention to adding defensive personnel in the offseason, they still might pass on an offensive lineman to take Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye.

Paye has the kind of athleticism and explosive style that excites both fans and scouts. He has also been praised for his work ethic and leadership. Although his football playing experience is limited and fundamentals need to improve, he might be too much for defensive-minded Vikings coach Mike Zimmer to pass up.

Worth Noting

Gophers Rashod Bateman and Benjamin St-Juste could go in the first and third rounds respectively. Wide receiver Bateman impresses with his route running, while St-Juste has the long arms not common for cornerbacks.

Sports Illustrated notes that Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago was the first player selected in the inaugural NFL Draft 85 years ago but never played in the league because he wanted to try out for the Olympic Decathlon team and he “could make more money as a foam rubber salesman.”

Jeff Diamond, the former Vikings GM, offers his NFL expertise on TalkNorth.com podcasts. Diamond, who started with the Vikings as an intern, also was president of the Tennessee Titans.

An NHL authority, speaking anonymously, said Minnesota Wild rookie scoring sensation Kirill Kaprizov has “(Wayne) Gretzky traits behind the net.” Kaprizov excels there in setting up goals and points, just like the “The Great One,” the source said. He’s not suggesting Kaprizov is another Gretzky but he is impressed how the young Russian has transitioned to success on the ice in the NHL.

Kaprizov has fit in with the team’s culture, too. His affable manner makes him a comfortable teammate to be around. Another player with his talent could be a prima donna but Kaprizov, who turns 24 today, is the opposite.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, with a season record of 17-44, are 5-6 since enigmatic guard D’Angelo Russell returned to the team from injury April 5. With a new hair-do and improved play, the talented Russell is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds since his return.

Russell scored 23 points in Minnesota’s win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City Saturday night. The Wolves are 2-0 against the Jazz this season, even though Utah has the best record in the NBA at 44-16. Wagering money will be on a Jazz win tonight (Monday) when the teams meet in Minneapolis.

FanSided’s “way-too-early” Big Ten basketball power rankings for next season have coach Ben Johnson’s Gophers No. 12, ahead of Northwestern and Nebraska.

Admirers of legendary coach John Anderson (40 years into leading the Golden Gophers baseball program) are hoping he and athletic director Mark Coyle will soon announce details about a new multiyear contract. The all-time winningest baseball coach in Big Ten history and a high character leader, Anderson is in the last year of his contract.

That was 82-year-old former Minnesota Twin Tony Oliva, a .304 lifetime hitter, taking his golf clubs to a suburban Minneapolis driving range last week.

The Twins, in their 60th season based in Minnesota, had an exasperating loss for the ages last Wednesday against the Athletics in Oakland. The A’s scored an improbable 13-12 walk-off win in the 10th inning without a base hit. A pair of two-out walks and a mishandled game-ending ground ball by Minnesota second baseman Travis Blankenhorn loaded the bases before a throwing error by third baseman Luis Arraez allowed the winning run to score. A Sports Headliners reader and Twins fan described the mess as a “top 10 loss” in franchise history.

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U Not Alone in Big Ten Rosters Shuffle

Posted on April 14, 2021 by David Shama

University of Minnesota basketball fans are alarmed to see eight players with remaining eligibility announce this winter and spring they won’t return for next season. While Minnesota’s total is worthy of headlines, other Big Ten schools have rosters in limbo, too.

Watching underclassmen opt for the NBA has for a long time changed the status of offseason rosters. More recently the NCAA has made it easier to transfer from one school to another, with this year even college seniors granted another season of eligibility. The transfer portal for men’s basketball has over 1,200 players interested in leaving their programs.

Alex Bozich, from Insidethehall.com, summarized the status of Big Ten rosters in a story Monday. He presented a long list of players who either could be or are in transition at the 14 Big Ten programs, including defending champion Michigan where stars Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner are undecided about the NBA. At Wisconsin Nate Reuvers, from Lakeville North, is in the transfer portal, while Brad Davison, from Maple Grove, is undecided about a return to Madison.

Bozich reports the Gophers, along with Penn State having seven players leaving that program, lead the conference in roster departures. Both Minnesota and Penn State have new coaches in Ben Johnson and Micah Shrewsberry. And that offers insight about the upheaval at their schools.

At Minnesota Johnson isn’t retaining the assistant coaches of his predecessor, Richard Pitino. Assistant coaches are counselors and mentors to players, establishing strong bonds with them. Gophers from last season’s roster are moving on for various reasons including the likelihood of more playing time elsewhere, but not knowing the new coaches has to factor in, too.

Johnson should hire the assistants he wants just weeks into his first experience as a head coach. However, his roster development is being scrutinized as it should, and he only has two noteworthy players apparently returning from last season’s roster, guard Both Gach and forward Brandon Johnson. At Monday’s news conference he said the two have been “awesome from day one,” but he didn’t say with certainty they will be on the team in the fall.

Pitino’s recruiting for the freshman class of 2021 was set earlier this year with signings by centers Treyton Thompson (Alexandria, Minnesota) and Kenny Pohto (Sweden), but Johnson said Pohto’s status is now uncertain. Thompson is part of a developing roster that includes four transfers Johnson reportedly has commitments from.

Those four are Jamison Battle (George Washington); Luke Loewe (William & Mary); E.J. Stephens (Lafayette); and Sean Sutherlin (New Hampshire). Neither the players nor their former schools rouses the Gopher fan base, but their arrival may well indicate the program’s future.

Johnson’s vision for his program is to emphasize player development. His hiring of assistant coaches Jason Kemp and Dave Thorson is consistent with that goal. Both earned reputations at other schools as talented basketball instructors and mentors.

Kemp, most recently at William & Mary, has almost 15 years of assistant coaching experience. He is a native of Madison, Wisconsin and his coaching stops include Midwest assignments at North Dakota State and Minnesota State. He coached Wisconsin native and Gopher transfer Loewe at William & Mary. “There will be a lot of other new faces (coming to the roster),” Kemp said.

Thorson could have the most coaching influence on how the Gophers play defense. That’s been a Thorson specialty at his college assistant coaching assignments and before then as head coach at DeLaSalle where his teams won a record nine state titles. He left Colorado State to rejoin Johnson who played for him at DeLaSalle. Thorson has been following Johnson since he was a seventh grader and praises his former player’s character. “I have so much respect for him as a human being,” Thorson said.

While these are unsettling times for Gophers basketball and even the community, Thorson said Johnson’s “greatest strength” is his ability to address adversity. “He’s the right leader for Minnesota at this time,” Thorson said.

Worth Noting

Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor is in a 30-day window to finish up negotiations with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez to sell his franchises. Taylor told Sports Headliners things look pretty much settled. “We haven’t really left very much to do that we would argue about,” he said.

With the deal expected to go through, Lore and Rodriguez will come in as limited partners for two years before having complete control. During the two years Lore and Rodriguez will have the same access to information as Taylor, and input on decisions. As a member of the NBA Board of Governors, Taylor will continue to make decisions on behalf of the Timberwolves.

Taylor has already vetted ecommerce mogul Lore and baseball great turned businessman Rodriguez. Before any ownership agreement is finalized the NBA will also provide a thorough vetting.

Taylor talking about fired coach Ryan Saunders and possibly a future role with the Timberwolves organization: “I think it’s a lot more likely that we will help him get a job with another team.”

On Monday the Minnesota Twins were No. 4 in MLB.com’s first power rankings of the regular season, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.

Winning both games of a double header is chancy, but it will be interesting to see how the Twins do today and tonight with their two best starters facing the Boston Red Sox. Kenta Maeda, 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA, starts the first game, with Jose Berrios, 2-0 and 1.54, pitching the second.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer talking about Xavier Woods, a newly acquired free agent safety and former Dallas Cowboy: “I like bringing guys when other people say they’re probably not good enough somewhere else.”

The Minnesota Football Showcase (the state’s annual prep all-star game) will be played Saturday, June 26 at US Bank Stadium. North and South rosters include 16 all-state players. Ten players are headed for Division I-AA (FCS) programs but none to Division I (FBS). The last 10 years (including 2021) the schools with the most player participation are Totino-Grace with 20, Lakeville North and Mankato West at 16 each, and Eden Prairie, 13.

No word from the football Gophers on open practices for the public, or the annual spring game.

ESPN’s college football power index out this week has Alabama No. 1 in the country, with Minnesota Big Ten West rivals Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern and Nebraska all higher ranked than the Gophers at No. 49. ESPN gives Minnesota a 3.1 percent chance to win the Big Ten West.

New University of St. Thomas hockey coach Rico Blasi comes from Miami (Ohio) where he was hired by Joel Maturi, the athletic director at Miami before he took over as AD at Minnesota. Tommies AD Phil Esten worked for Maturi at Minnesota and they are long time friends.

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