A source told Sports Headliners that John Tice, once a Vikings assistant coach under his brother Mike, is the new offensive line coach at Army.  Former Gophers assistant coach Gordy Shaw had been a candidate for the position.

Herb Carneal, who has been broadcasting Twins games since 1962, will do radio play-by-play on “approximately 35 home games,” according to Twins president Dave St. Peter.  He said in an e-mail that Carneal will not broadcast any spring training games. 

Timberwolves rookie point guard Randy Foye on his team’s potential: “I think we have a lot more that people haven’t seen.  If we get into that sixth or eighth place spot in the playoffs we can make some noise there.  We just have to keep working and make things happen.”

Sidney Lowe had losing records in two head coaching jobs in the NBA and his frustrations have continued in his first season as a college coach back at his alma mater, North Carolina State.  Lowe, who coached the Timberwolves and later the Grizzlies in the NBA, has a 4-10 record in the ACC, 14-13 overall.   

The Golden Dunkers booster group will hold its annual banquet for the Gopher men’s basketball team beginning at  6 p.m. on Monday, March 12 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.  Tickets, $45 each, are available to the public. For more information, contact Neal Johnson, 952-929-4154, njohnson233@comcast.net.

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Joe Mauer’s new contract through 2010 assures he will be with the Twins.  Talk to general manager Terry Ryan and he will tell you Mauer will be catching during those years and not playing another position. 

It’s common to hear speculation that Mauer, 23, will switch to another position sooner rather than later.  He injured a knee while chasing a foul ball and played in only 35 games in 2004.  Catching is not a position that is kind to the body, demanding endless crouching and the non-catching hand is vulnerable to foul tips. 

Mauer’s athleticism and batting skill (American League batting champ last season at .347) not only make him extraordinarily valuable as a catcher but also versatile enough to play other positions.  Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, though. 

“We’re going to keep him behind the plate,” Ryan told Sports Headliners recently.  “That’s where he’s always played, that’s where he wants to stay and there’s no reason to move him.  He’s arguably one of the best catchers in the game right now at the age of 23.  And I don’t think there’s any design, desire or thought to moving him out from behind there.  That’s very premature.  He’s been (recently) injury free so everything is straight ahead now as far as him staying behind the plate.” 

Ryan was asked if in seven years when Mauer is 30 years old a position change might occur.  “How about 15?” he answered. “You know Pudge Rodriguez (35 years old) is still catching and he’s been catching for a long, long time, and Carlton Fisk and Bob Boone and some of those guys caught for over 20 years.   

“I haven’t quite understood why everybody would think about moving Joe. …  He’s a good catcher.  He’s a good thrower.  He handles the pitching staff.  He can swing the bat.  He’s everything anybody looks for in a receiver and offensive guy.  I just don’t see why anybody would want to mess with that and move him as long as his health holds out, which it has.” 

Ryan said Rodriguez, Fisk and Boone kept their skills “like they were back in their early 20’s” even after they had played for many years. It’s clear he expects no less from Mauer.  “Joe Mauer is a special kid,” Ryan said.  “He’s got that athleticism.  …He’s one of those catchers who can run and there’s a lot of positives for him to stay back there.  It’s tough to find catching and Joe is one of the best catchers in the game.  We’ll keep him there unless something happens that would dictate (to) us we have to make the necessary move.” 

Mauer may catch 125 games or so this season, than perhaps DH in another 10.  Ryan said the latter number could go up if the Twins carry three catchers instead of two on the roster. 

The third catcher behind Mauer and valued reserve Mike Redmond could be Matthew LeCroy, the former Twin who has rejoined the organization after signing a minor league contract.  Ryan said the Twins think they can help LeCroy through some past arm trouble and they like his power as a hitter.  “He’s the type of guy who fits into the clubhouse well,” Ryan said.

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Coach Mike D’Antoni has put smiles on the faces of people who love fast break basketball.  His Phoenix Suns averaged an NBA leading 108.4 points per game last season and they advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing to Dallas.  This season they are averaging 111 points per game and again lead NBA teams in scoring.  Most NBA clubs average less than 100 points per game including the Timberwolves who rank 20th at 96.7 (the team is 17-6 when they score 100 points or more). 

The Suns, 42-13, are in first place in the Pacifiic Division and have second best record in the NBA.  Last night at Target Center the Suns defeated the Wolves, 116-104.

No doubt that the Suns with the game’s best decision maker in two-time league MVP Steve Nash and athletic players like center Amare Stoudemire have the personnel to push the ball up the floor quickly.  Still, you have to give D’Antoni credit for his commitment to the fast break in a league with many teams who are determined to playing conservatively.  

In his first full season of coaching the Suns, 2004-2005, Phoenix had the best record in the NBA and he was named coach of the year.  The Suns have been consistent in playing fast break basketball and winning under D’Antoni.  

Running was popular in the NBA years ago but in today’s game many coaches prefer a slower style.  Tommy Heinsohn played on eight Boston Celtics teams that loved to run and won NBA championships in the 1950s and 60s.  He’s an advocate for more fast break basketball. 

“I think that’s what the game is missing right now,” Heinsohn told Sports Headliners. “Anybody that can run makes the game look very easy. Just look at the Suns.  …But nobody wants to run anymore.  They want to control the game.  I keep telling them (to run). …” 

Heinsohn, who follows the NBA as a color man on Celtics telecasts,  talked about all the video tapes teams watch to scout opponents and how “they’ve got every play measured to the half inch.”  Then Heinsohn made a comparison between basketball and World War II.  “I say what you guys are doing by walking the ball up the floor would be like(General) Eisenhower calling up Adolph Hitler and saying we’re landing at Normandy. Get your tanks ready. .. They (NBA teams) allow the defense to play the defense that they’ve scouted you so well (for).” 

Heinsohn was asked why teams don’t run? “They (coaches) don’t think the players can think,” he answered.  “They (also) keep insisting on zeroing in on a player’s weaknesses instead of what they do really well. “

 

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