New Mexico State’s football team, which comes to Minneapolis to play the Gophers in a nonconference game next year, generated national publicity earlier this month when the Aggies defeated New Mexico. Not only was it the Aggies’ first win of the season, but the victory came after flyers were distributed on campus “urging female students to refrain from having sex with members of the football team” until the team won a game, according to the October 18 issue of Sports Illustrated.
Look for the Twins to make a decision on free agent Jim Thome soon. Despite being 40 years old, the power hitting designated hitter will have other bidders after hitting 25 home runs in 276 at bats last season. It’s likely better than 50-50 Thome and the Twins will work out a deal.
Minor league center fielder Ben Revere probably won’t challenge Denard Span for his job next year, but he might in future years. Conversation about Span sometimes questions his ability to effectively go backward on deep balls to the outfield fence.
The Timberwolves open their season tonight against Sacramento, a team that drafted Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins right after Minnesota chose swingman Wesley Johnson in last June’s NBA draft. The pick was second-guessed but Cousins has to prove his work ethic can approach his considerable ability. Cousins averaged 14.3 points and eight rebounds during pre-season. Johnson, who averaged 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds, is athletic and appears willing to learn.
The Wolves and Kings are predicted to be two of the worst teams in the league again this year. They figure to be competing for lottery picks in 2011, despite 6-2 and 3-4 pre-season records. NBA exhibition records are usually inaccurate predictors of what’s to come in the regular season.
A side story for local NBA fans will be the performance of former Wolves’ star Al Jefferson, now in Utah. He will play defense and execute the famous Jazz pick and roll for taskmaster coach Jerry Sloan or he will see the bench more often than he wants.
The Minnesota State High School League has a new offering called Student Sports Information Directors. The program provides opportunities to learn about journalism and publicize school activities. Student-produced stories will appear on the MSHSL website. See Student SID at www.mshsl.org.
Winona State is the NSIC men’s basketball preseason favorite, according to a vote by league coaches. The Warriors, last year’s NSIC Tournament champions and NCAA national semifinalists, have been the preseason choice four of the last six years. They return four starters and 12 letter winners from last season’s team. The top five conference favorites are Winona State, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, Augustana and University of Mary,
St. Cloud State senior guard Taylor Witt is the Preseason Player of the Year. He averaged 16.7 points per game last season and scored a career high 43 points in an NCAA tournament game.