David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U NCAA Tourney Run Looks Unlikely

Posted on March 18, 2019March 18, 2019 by David Shama

Golden Gophers players and fans are understandably excited about the team earning an invitation yesterday to the NCAA Tournament, but it will probably be a “short dance” for coach Richard Pitino’s team.

After 34 games, including many against quality opposition, there are no more secrets about this club. Before the season a lot of media didn’t think the sixth edition of the Pitino era was talented enough to qualify for the “Big Dance,” but the Gophers mostly rode the twosome of forward Jordan Murphy and guard Amir Coffey to several successes including defeating nationally ranked Purdue twice this month.

Coffey at No. 7 in points per game and Murphy at No. 11 are among Big Ten’s best scoring combos. Only Indiana’s Romeo Langford at No. 6 and Juwan Morgan at No. 9 are a higher scoring duo in the Big Ten.

Coffey saved his best for last this season, averaging 23.8 points per game in helping Minnesota win four of its last six games. He is a multi-skilled player who offensively gives the Gophers outside and inside scoring, including in the deciding moments of games. “His skill set is off the charts,” said CBS analyst Grant Hill during Saturday’s Minnesota-Michigan game in the Big Ten Tournament.

Coffey is averaging 16.3 points per game, while Murphy is at 14.9. Few college players are better inside scorers than Murphy who consistently bulls his way to the basket. Without Murphy’s Big Ten leading rebounding, the Gophers could not have come close to putting together a 21-13 season. That record earned the Gophers an NCAA Tournament assignment to play Thursday in Des Moines against Louisville in a East Region game.

Minnesota is likely to struggle in the tournament, though, because there isn’t enough talent and experience on the roster to complement Coffey and Murphy. The Gophers went a combined 3-8 against the Big Ten’s five best teams (over .500 records in league play). They were 2-1 against Purdue, split two games with Wisconsin and finished 0-1 versus Michigan State, 0-2 against Maryland and 0-3 in matchups with Michigan.

In every Gopher game, it’s an unknown as to which player—if anyone—steps up and complements Coffey and Murphy. Sometimes it’s been freshman starting center Daniel Oturu, who has the talent to some day be All-Big Ten like Coffey and Murphy. Fellow freshman guard Gabe Kalscheur shows promise offensively and defensively, but inconsistent shooting is a problem. That’s true, too, of senior guard Dupree McBrayer.

The better teams, the ones who advance far in the tournament field, don’t struggle to score points, including three pointers. At 5.2 made three pointers per game, few teams have found shooting beyond the arc any more challenging than Minnesota. Opponents are averaging 6.7 three pointers converted and have 50 more makes than the Gophers.

Bench help?

Pitino has been using fewer reserves in recent weeks. Those subs usually are in for limited minutes to provide short amounts of rest for the starters. They play hard and contribute in subtle ways, but their scoring production is limited. In Minnesota’s 75-73 Big Ten Tournament upset of Purdue on Friday, the bench players produced zero points, while Murphy and Coffey combined for 48 points.

Maybe the Gophers can make a Cinderella run in the tourney but their resume doesn’t support that prediction. As a No. 10 seed they are underdogs against Louisville. If Minnesota wins Thursday, East No. 2 seed Michigan State (ouch) likely awaits the Gophers on Saturday.

Worth Noting

The Gophers are one of eight Big Ten teams invited to the NCAA Tournament. The total is the most in Big Ten history.

Brian Cosgriff, 58, added a seventh girls state tournament title Saturday night as part of his 20 year coaching career at Hopkins, and he told Sports Headliners last week he plans to continue coaching for awhile. His roster is loaded with returnees—14 of 18 players back for next season including daughter Brooke Cosgriff.

Four of five starters return including point guard Paige Bueckers who could turn out to be the best prep player nationally in the class of 2020. Bueckers plays unselfishly on the court, and has given her time to organize a series of free basketball clinics for youth.

Sid Hartman, whose 99th birthday was last Friday, got his first by-lined story in Minneapolis newspapers on November 1, 1944, per his book Sid Hartman’s Great Minnesota Sports Memories. Before going to work as a journalist for the Minneapolis Times for $11.50 per week, Hartman’s previous newspaper work was in high school at Minneapolis North. Still now writing multiple columns per week in Minneapolis, he wrote his first column for the Times on September 13, 1945.

Governor Tim Walz, MLS commissioner Don Garber, the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and other dignitaries are scheduled to speak this afternoon at the Minnesota United’s ‘Scarf Raising’ ceremony to commemorate the opening of Allianz Field, the privately-financed soccer specific stadium in St. Paul. MNUFC’s home opener at Allianz Field, a nationally televised game on ESPN 2 against New York City FC, will be Saturday, April 13 starting at 4 p.m.

Have to wonder about ticket demand for tomorrow night’s Timberwolves game at Target Center against the defending NBA champion Warriors when Ticket King was promoting $29 tickets via email several days ago. The Wolves per game home attendance average of 14,981 ranks 29th out of 30 teams, per Espn.com.

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Hopkins Star Worth Admission Price

Posted on March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 by David Shama

I admit to being cranky yesterday morning. I took a couple of steps out the front door and onto the sidewalk, and I immediately realized ice skates could provide a steadier walk to the garage than my shoes.

I gingerly made my way through the fog, found the garage and began driving toward Williams Arena—an expected trek of 30 minutes or less. About 55 minutes later my car was parked a couple blocks from the arena, but I was not pleased with the long journey that included stretches of 10 miles per hour traffic on north-bound 35W.

I arrived at Williams Arena about 9:30 a.m. without a media credential to watch the Class 4A Hopkins-Lakeville North quarterfinals girls’ state high school basketball tournament game. It’s been a long time since I paid my way into watch a pro, college or prep game in this town.

But guess what?

That $16 admission was money well spent. I had come to see the tourney favorite, 29-0 Hopkins, and the Royals’ phenom point guard, Paige Bueckers. Among those having a look at the extraordinarily gifted Bueckers was an assistant coach for the storied Connecticut women’s program. Legendary head coach Geno Auriemma, who practically wins NCAA titles like some people win conference crowns, has come to watch Bueckers many times.

The whole college basketball world wants the talented yet unselfish Bueckers to play hoops at their schools. Bueckers, a slightly built 6-foot-1 junior, is known as the best point guard in America’s high school class of 2020. This week she was a finalist for and just missed out on being selected the Gatorade Girls Basketball National Player of the Year. She was Gatorade’s Minnesota Player of the Year and the Star Tribune chose her as Metro Player of the Year this week—the second consecutive year the newspaper has honored her with the award.

Yesterday Bueckers performed like someone who receives that kind of attention in her team’s 68-46 win over Lakeville North. In 30 minutes on the floor she made 10 of 12 field goal attempts and eight of 10 free throws. She scored a game high 29 points while not forcing things to happen, and she could have totaled 40 had she not played so unselfishly. At one point the Hopkins student section let loose with chants of “MVP!”

Hers is a mystical style of play where she seems to spontaneously and naturally do the right thing, be in the right place—all while flowing with what is happening on the court. After the game yesterday Bueckers told Sports Headliners that she has a “God given ability that I know what I am doing, and I see…plays two steps ahead.”

Brian Cosgriff has been the Hopkins head coach for 20 years. His former great players include Nia Coffey who helped produce three state championships for the Royals. How do Coffey and Bueckers compare? Who is the best prep player Cosgriff has coached?

Cosgriff referred to Bueckers as the “most skilled” prep player he has had. Coffey is the best athlete. Then he said, “It’s like the age old debate, who is better (Michael) Jordan or LeBron (James)?”

Bueckers’ total profile includes sound fundamentals that even on defense make her a pleasure to watch. She doesn’t reach for the ball when she shouldn’t and she keeps her feet on the floor instead of jumping out of position. “Her feet are always in the right spot,” a Hopkins fan and Bueckers admirer said during the game.

The Royals were the dominant team yesterday, out scoring North by 12 points in the first half and 10 in the second. The one-sided game had the North student section yelling “Let’s play football” in reference to the school’s powerhouse 2018 team.

Cosgriff’s heart, though, may have skipped a beat early in the second half when Bueckers started limping and went to the bench for a short while. She was favoring her left knee and Cosgriff hopes his star player will be available for tonight’s semifinal tournament game against Centennial.

Bueckers dismissed the possibility of the injury preventing her from playing tonight. Understandably, Cosgriff was more cautious, indicative of how coaches take on a lot of worry during a lose and go home format like the state tournament.

Cosgriff has won six state titles. However, the Royals have also lost three consecutive state championship finals games. Bueckers, on the varsity since eighth grade, has experienced those crushing losses.

A determination to change that burns in Bueckers who said she thinks about winning the championship all the time. She uses words like energy and passion when discussing what it takes to be the best team possible. The drive and commitment to win is so evident.

Seemingly well liked by teammates, Bueckers feels a responsibility to lead a young roster and let more inexperienced players know even a single possession in a game could ultimately determine the Royals’ fate. “I’ve been thinking about it (the state title) three years in a row now…but I believe that we’ve worked so hard this year, and I think we can get it,” she said.

Bueckers wants to win for herself, teammates and “really bad” for Cosgriff who not only put a talented and balanced team on the floor yesterday but one that executed assignments while performing with focus and determination. “We want it for each other,” Bueckers said. “That’s the thing about this team. We’re so close. We’ve gone through ups and downs with each other but at the end of the day we stuck as one—so we want it so bad.”

Bueckers has already played on three USA basketball teams that have won gold medals. A state title this year and next would close out an almost fantasy prep career of team and individual recognition. Along the way Connecticut, Notre Dame, Minnesota or some other college will win the Bueckers recruitment process with a commitment. A verbal commitment, she said, could certainly come before starting her senior year at Hopkins.

The Gophers under new head coach Lindsay Whalen have talked to Bueckers about becoming a “hometown hero” by choosing Minnesota. Bueckers smiled at the mention of being a transformational player for the Gophers, but she didn’t give away any secrets as to who she favors among college choices. No, because right now she is focused on how she can help the Royals go a perfect 32-0 and snap that state title slump.

As for me, after watching the game, and talking with Bueckers and Cosgriff, I left Williams Arena and headed for the home office. The fog had lifted and so had my cranky outlook.

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Gophers’ Coffey to Test NBA Interest

Posted on March 12, 2019March 12, 2019 by David Shama

Enjoy a mostly basketball notes column, and also offering a Minnesota United update and tribute to the late Bob Klas Sr.

Junior guard-forward Amir Coffey is having his best season for the Golden Gophers, leading the team in points per game at 16 (seventh best in the Big Ten). The versatile 6-foot-8 former Hopkins star has closed the season impressively scoring 31, 32 and 23 points in the last three regular season conference games.

Coffey, who ranks fifth in league games only with a scoring average of 17.6, was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week yesterday with Indiana’s Juwan Morgan. It was the second consecutive week he has won the honor. He had a career high-tying 32 points and eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in Minnesota’s upset win over No. 11 Purdue a week ago. He followed that up with 23 points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal at Maryland on Friday.

Coffey’s scoring and playmaking will be vital in determining whether Minnesota wins its opening Big Ten Tournament game Thursday against Penn State. With either an NCAA Tournament or NIT postseason invitation coming soon for the Gophers, Coffey will play at least a couple more games in a Minnesota uniform, but his career could be closing fast.

Amir’s father, Richard Coffey, told Sports Headliners yesterday that in the weeks ahead the two of them want to determine NBA interest. “He’s a junior, so why not? He’ll look at the process (feedback),” Richard said. “But right now we’re not even talking about those things. We’re just trying to get through the season. There will be plenty of time to have those discussions after the season is over.”

A college underclassman can receive information from the NBA about potential draft status without sacrificing remaining eligibility. Coffey knows he has room for improvement but he is regarded as one of the Big Ten’s best players. His length and versatile skill set allows him to play multiple positions and score inside and out. That projects well in the modern NBA game.

Next season the Gophers could be without four guards who are presently on the roster. Dupree McBrayer and Brock Stull are seniors, while Coffey could leave school early and sophomore Isaiah Washington has prompted speculation he will transfer after not being used in a game since February 24.

Record setting rebounder Jordan Murphy is also counting down his days as a Gopher. The senior will be remembered not only for finishing second all-time in career rebounds in the Big Ten, but also for his character. Gophers radio analyst Spencer Tollackson travels with the team and has a perspective on Murphy many others in the media do not.

“He’s a great kid, man, one of the best,” Tollackson told Sports Headliners. “He’s up there with Andre Hollins for me, as two of my favorite Gophers in the 10 years that I’ve been broadcasting.”

On the court Murphy couldn’t have achieved his Gophers records of most rebounds and double-doubles without a superb work ethic. “He never loafs,” Tollackson said. “Even on nights where he has been off, or not had great numbers, it’s not for lack of effort.”

The Wisconsin Badgers finished their Big Ten regular season Sunday with a win at Ohio State, and the victory secured fourth place in the conference standings. With an overall record of 22-9 and league mark of 14-6, the Badgers are a cinch to be invited to the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin’s results of the last 20 years are in stark contrast to those of the Gophers. Dating back to the winter of 2000, only once have the Badgers not qualified for the “Big Dance,” and twice they have made it to the Final Four, per annual records on Wikipedia. During that period Wisconsin has won four conference titles and only twice finished lower than fourth place in the standings. Except for the 2017-18 season, Wisconsin has had winning overall and league records all those years.

Minnesota finished in seventh place this winter in the Big Ten with a 9-11 record, the 14th time the Gophers have been under .500 in the last 20 years. Coach Richard Pitino’s conference record in six years of regular season games is 40 wins, 70 losses.

Minnesota has won more than half of its Big Ten games only three times in the last 20 years, and the Gophers’ best finish in the conference standings has been fourth two times. The most recent over .500 success was two years ago with an 11-7 record. If the Gophers play in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, it will be their sixth appearance dating back to 2000.

Hopkins girls basketball coach Brian Cosgriff on junior point guard Paige Bueckers’ as yet unannounced potential college choice: “I think she has something in mind.”

Bueckers is among the elite young talents in the girls basketball world and is a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Her 29-0 Hopkins team plays its opening game in the state tournament tomorrow against Lakeville North at Williams Arena.

The 15 inductees into the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame for 2019 are: Rocori coach Bob Brink; Bob Bruggers of Danube; New London-Spicer coach Mike Dreier; Norm Grow of Foley; Hal Haskins of Alexandria; Ronnie Henderson of Minneapolis Marshall University; Tracy Henderson of Minneapolis Patrick Henry; Kris Humphries of Hopkins; Aileen Just (Luther) of Rapidan; Coco Miller of Rochester Mayo; Kelly Miller of Rochester Mayo; Hopkins coach Kenny Novak Jr.; Minneapolis Marshall University coach Ed Prohofsky; Kelly Skalicky of Albany; and Bob Zender of Edina.

The inductees will be introduced to the crowd at halftime of the March 26 Timberwolves-Clippers game at Target Center. An inaugural class of 14 was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. More at Mnhsbaskteballhall.com

You can bet the Minnesota United organization is excited about the team’s 2-0 regular season start in the MLS. After two weeks the club has made history with franchise firsts in winning an MLS opener, consecutive road wins and shutting out an opponent on the road. Now in year three of MLS play, the Loons are over .500 for the first time.

The clubs has a league leader in Darwin Quintero who is tied for the most goals with two and is second in assists with three. He has been named to the MLS Team of the Week in the first two weeks of the season.

Condolences to family and friends of Bob Klas Sr. who passed away at age 91 in suburban St. Paul last week. Bob was a friend and inspiration to many including at the Tapemark Company in West St. Paul, an organization he helped build into a major entrepreneurial success.

For nearly 50 years Bob’s name was attached to the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am in the Twin Cities. The inspiration for the tournament was his daughter Frances Klas, who was born mentally retarded in 1951. Bob and wife Sandy Klas learned about organizations available to assist children like Frances, and they wanted to help raise awareness and funds for them.

To accomplish those goals, Bob started the tournament with Tapemark company partner Tom Cody and over the years the Pro-Am has raised millions of dollars to assist agencies serving Minnesotans with developmental disabilities. Bob’s legacy of business success and unselfish charity work will long be remembered.

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