Tubby Smith looked beyond Paul Carter’s 1-12 shooting Saturday at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and saw a player who will contribute to the future of Gopher basketball.  It’s evident that Smith’s plan for returning Minnesota basketball to prominence includes taking under developed talent and using his teaching prowess to develop a skilled player.

Carter’s performance Saturday asked for permission to join that study group.  The 6-7 forward and his junior college teammates from Missouri State-West Plains College were in town to play coach Jay Pivec’s Minneapolis Community and Technical College Mavericks. Carter is one of five Gophers who have signed National Letters of Intent to be part of Smith’s first recruiting class.  Many in the crowd at MCTC Saturday had come to see Carter, a freshman at the Missouri community college by way of Little Rock.  In attendance were Smith, two of his assistant coaches, Gopher players and fans wearing Gopher clothing.

Apparently Carter was nervous about all the attention because he not only made just made one basket, but even air balled a couple of shots.  Another indication of his below expectations play were foul problems that had him on the bench including a long stretch after he picked up his fourth foul with less than three minutes gone in the second half.

Carter’s slight physical build (listed at 190 pounds), left handed shooting and athleticism have drawn comparisons to Detroit Pistons star Tayshaun Prince who played for Smith at Kentucky and former Gopher Quincy Lewis, also from Little Rock and a contributor on Minnesota’s Final Four team in 1997.  Carter’s coach, Brian Ostermann, has said his star forward could be one of the best junior college players in the country by February.  Another knowledgeable source said Carter will be a juco all-American before he joins the Gophers.  Earlier this month Carter had been averaging 15 points per game and 9.3 rebounds.

On a bad day, Carter showed a team attitude, not forcing shots, passing to teammates, diving to the floor for a loose ball and encouraging teammates from the bench and the court. He also had eight rebounds in 20 minutes. The good news for Carter was that his team held off a late rally by MCTC and won the game, 56-52.

At halftime Smith talked to Sports Headliners about Carter and other recruits who make up a class receiving national attention.  “He’s a leader,” Smith said about Carter.  “He’s always talking.  He’s always trying to build his teammates up.  Make his teammates look better. Things like that and that’s what we need. …”

Smith described Carter as “pretty talented” and despite the poor shooting he liked the young player’s rotation on the ball when he shoots.  He predicted Carter will be able to play inside and outside in the Gopher “system.”

The Gophers other junior college player for next season is Devron Bostick, from Southwestern Illinois College.  He made juco all-American last season averaging 19.5 points per game and is originally from Racine, Wisconsin. “He’s got to learn to put the ball on the floor but he can shoot with range,” Smith said. “Very physical defensively.  Stocky guard that can do many things. I know he puts up some big numbers for his team. …We’re getting a quality person. …I like his attitude as well.”

Ralph Sampson III, 6-11 from Duluth, Georgia, and Colton Iverson, 6-10 from Yankton, South Dakota, will provide much needed size because two of the Gophers three players who are 6-8 or taller are seniors this season.  Sampson’s dad Ralph, who starred at Virginia and in the NBA, was 7-4 and athletic.  “He (Ralph III) can really run the floor well,” Smith said.  “Great hands.  Good basketball IQ.  Nice touch from about 18 feet…  He needs to get more physical but he will with time.  He’s picking up weight and getting stronger. …He’s a guy we need right away. …”

The big men wanted right away sign is there for Iverson, too, Smith said.  He described Iverson as “a little more physical” than Sampson.  He also said Iverson plays with intelligence and effort.  “He’s got a nice (shooting) touch,” Smith said. “He’s talented enough to play for us.  That’s why we signed him.  I didn’t make it this far in college basketball without knowing what I was doing.

“Somebody asked me before what I think about (recruiting) scouting services.  I said, ‘well, I am the expert.  I don’t think they are.’  I am the expert when it comes to that.  We recruit for our needs and we got our needs (filled).  And that’s what we’re pleased about at this point and time.”

Smith couldn’t comment on the fifth player, Devoe Joseph from Ontario, Canada, who has signed a letter of intent but whose paper work is being finalized by the University.  The Gophers reportedly out recruited Texas and other major schools for the 6-3 shooting guard and point guard.  He’s considered a very talented player who may even become the star of Smith’s first recruiting class.

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As of this morning, there were approximately 3,600 tickets remaining for Sunday’s game at the Metrodome between the Vikings and Lions, according to an e-mail update from Steve LaCroix, Vikings vice president of sales and marketing.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf not only was visible on the sidelines yesterday at Giants Stadium but he’s been standing in the background at some of coach Brad Childress’ Monday news conferences this fall.

Assuming his minimal production continues (14 catches, about 200 yards), it’s easy to imagine third year wide receiver Troy Williamson not being with the Vikings next season. His statistics for kickoff returns are about 22 yards per return.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson likes pro basketball and attends Timberwolves games at Target Center.

Here’s my view on Johan Santana and the Twins:  management will never be better positioned than it is now to strike the best trade deal possible. First, the 28-year-old Santana is healthy.  Who knows whether he will have an arm or other injury in the near future?  Second, the nearer Santana comes to free agency (eligible after next season) the more other teams will fill their needs and the less likely the Twins can command a best deal.  They should be all ears right now on the trade front, while still trying to sign and retain him.

Former Gopher coach Lou Holtz was recalling the 1969 Kansas-Missouri football game last week on ESPN.  He said Kansas coach Pepper Rogers flashed Missouri coach Dan Devine the peace sign.  Devine returned half the gesture, Holtz reported.

Look for the Gophers for the first time in memory to have multiple recruits playing in the January 5 US Army All-American Bowl. The East versus West game annually includes some of the best prep players in the country playing in San Antonio.

Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith wouldn’t be specific as to when his formal contract with the University will be completed and signed other than to say “as soon as we can get it done.”  He said there no major disputed issues, that it’s simply wording being finalized in the contract.  The contract process is no different here than it’s been other places he has coached, Smith said.

All eight of the players who have signed National Letters of Intent with the Gophers hockey team have post-high school playing experience.  They are wing Mike Dorr, wing Jake Hansen, defenseman Sam Lofquist, defenseman Brandon Martell, center Taylor Matson, center Nico Sacchetti, defenseman Grant Scott and center Jordan Schroeder. “We have a good mix of size, speed and skill with this group,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “This will ensure that we get the numbers back up to where we need them to be on our team. These kids have had the opportunity to play in the USHL and Ann Arbor (with the U.S. under-18 junior team), which should ease their transition to college hockey.

The seventh annual Schwan Cup holiday hockey tournament, December 26-28, will have 164 boys and girls teams participating at various facilities including the Xcel Energy Center.  Holy Angels, Hill-Murray and Centennial are among the highly ranked boys teams participating.  Blake and Warroad are included among the top girls teams.

The weekly TV listings publication in the Sunday Star Tribune has been discontinued to save on expenses, according to a local media source.

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Occasionally there’s a high school football game that stirs the interest of the masses.  Look no further than Friday night’s Class 5A state championship game between unbeatens Eden Prairie and Cretin-Derham Hall to find an example.

It’s the Minneapolis area versus St. Paul.  It’s a game with big names, from now almost legendary coach Mike Grant of Eden Prairie to USA Today All-American Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall.  Two rivals, with past games worth remembering, featuring several players that will play major college football, competing for a state title and offering contrasts in style.

Eden Prairie’s offense is a more methodical style while the Raiders often find the end zone before you can take the next bite of your hot dog.  KARE TV sportscaster Randy Shaver told Sports Headliners earlier this week that the Eagles are likely to focus on their methodical ways Friday, deliberately trying to keep the Raider offense on the sidelines for long periods.

Floyd, the pass catching wonder headed to Notre Dame next year, and quarterback John Nance and running back Shady Salamon (both future Gophers) are big play guys who have earned their “flashy” reputations.  Shaver said the Eagles haven’t seen the kind of speed that the Raiders possess and can’t duplicate it in practice as they prepare for Friday night’s game.  The game’s outcome, he believes, may turn not only on Eden Prairie’s effectiveness in keeping the Raiders playmakers on the sidelines, but also in forcing Nance out of the pocket, making him feel pressure.

Shaver, who has studied both teams including game tapes for two-plus hours, said Nance routinely has “all sorts of time” to throw, sometimes heaving it to Floyd who simply seems to run as far as he can before his quarterback throws a long pass.  Eden Prairie defensive players like star linemen Max Pryor and Willie Mobley will be chasing Nance and trying to contain the high scoring Raiders offense that produced 56 points in a semi-final win over Brainerd.

Shaver thinks the end result will be an Eden Prairie win, a close game perhaps with a final score of 27-24.  He believes the Eagles have a more balanced overall team, including a sophisticated offense, led by quarterback Ryan Grant that will have success controlling the ball.

Shaver chose seven players from Eden Prairie on his all metro offensive and defensive teams, the most ever from one school in 24 years of picking post-season all-stars.  Three Eagles made the defensive team and while the Raiders had three players on the offensive team, they had none on defense.

Ken Lien, another prep football expert who provided color commentary on Crystal Clear Sports Webcasts this fall, thinks Eden Prairie will win, too.  Even before the playoffs began he was describing Class5A as the “shampoo tournament,” referring to how the Raiders and Eagles are “head and shoulders” better than anyone else.

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