David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U Frosh 2nd in Big Ten Rebound Average

Posted on December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 by David Shama

Jordan Murphy looks like a candidate to not only average double figures in rebounding but also to lead the Big Ten Conference in that category. The Gophers freshman forward from San Antonio had a season high 18 rebounds in 31 minutes in his last game and is averaging 8.7 rebounds during the nonconference schedule.

Murphy ranks second among Big Ten players in rebounding average. He could be the first Gopher to average double figures and lead the conference since Trevor Mbakwe in 2011. “He’s doing a lot of things that have nothing to do with coaching,” Gophers coach Richard Pitino said about Murphy.

Murphy has particularly impressed with his offensive rebounding. He had 11 offensive rebounds among his 18 in the win last week over Chicago State. But Pitino wants improvement from Murphy with his defensive rebounding.

“I agree with him 100 percent that I could be a better defensive rebounder,” Murphy said. “I think that’s the difference between getting 20 rebounds and 18, just being a better defensive rebounder.”

The defensive numbers can improve, Murphy said, if he becomes more effective in blocking opponents from having superior rebounding position. And both his defensive and offensive rebound totals will almost certainly increase with more playing time. So far Murphy hasn’t been a starter and is averaging 22.4 minutes. That is the fifth highest average on the team and means he is playing only a little more than half of the 40 minutes per game.

Pitino is noncommittal about whether Murphy becomes a starter anytime soon. The coach seems to like having the 6-6, 230-pound Texan provide rebounds, points and energy off the bench. Murphy is averaging 10.3 points per game and while he might continue to be a nonstarter for awhile, he is likely to see his minutes increase closer to 30 per game and be on the floor when the Gophers try to close out opponents.

“I don’t really care about starting,” Murphy said. “I am not really here to just make demands and say I gotta start. It’s not me. I am just here to provide energy whenever I need to and just to do whatever coach asks me.”

Murphy is one of the team’s best players already. His instinctive offensive rebounding, characterized by a sense for finding the ball before others do, makes him a special first-year player. As a rebounder, he might prove to be one of the best in school history.

Murphy acknowledges “having a knack for getting the ball,” and credits his father Bernard with helping him develop. A few years ago his dad told him he had rebounding skills and should focus on becoming better at it. “He would actually take me to the park and start throwing up ‘bricks’ (bad shots), and I’d have to go catch them and put them back up,” Murphy said.

He admitted to being a “little” surprised by his early success with the Gophers. Asked if he could lead the Big Ten in rebounding, Murphy said he didn’t know and will have to work hard to have a chance at it.

The Gophers, 6-5, play their final nonconference game on Wednesday night at home against Milwaukee. Then comes the 18-game Big Ten schedule beginning with the opener at Ohio State on December 30. That will be another test for Murphy but so far he is off to a promising start to his college career.

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Night Games No Hit with Vikings

Posted on December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 by David Shama

Nighttime—particularly for road games—is no friend of the Minnesota Vikings.

Losing on Sunday, Monday and Thursday evenings is a pattern for the Vikings who earlier this month were told the team’s home game next Sunday against the Giants will be played at night, instead of starting with a noon kickoff. A few conversations with Vikings players focused on how they fret about the boredom and anxiousness of the extra hours at a local hotel, and the change from routine caused by playing after dark.

“I hate it but, you know what, we gotta play a game,” said Vikings defensive end Brian Robison. “We gotta try to win.”

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.)

The Vikings, 9-5, have been one of the NFL’s success stories this fall and could win the NFC North. The Giants, 6-8, had better playoff hopes when the game time was rescheduled but still have a chance at the postseason. Each team has two regular season games remaining. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leads the league in rushing while experiencing a comeback season from his troubles last season. The Giants have high profile quarterback Eli Manning and their home territory is the nation’s largest TV market. All of that provides background as to why NBC and the NFL wanted Sunday’s matchup in Minneapolis switched to evening when it will be the only pro football game televised to the nation.

The Vikings have lost five consecutive Sunday night games and 11 of the past 14. It hasn’t helped that four of the last five have been on the road. Opponents have beaten the Vikings seven straight times on Monday evenings including an opening game loss to the 49ers this year. The Vikings have lost five of their last six Thursday evening games, including to the Cardinals earlier this month. Ten of those Monday and Thursday night losses have been on the home field of opponents.

Temperatures next Sunday night for the game with the Giants in TCF Bank Stadium will likely be in the high teens or low 20s. That doesn’t warm the heart of Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. “I think it’s going to be cold. I don’t like the cold but this is an opportunity to go out there to showcase that we’re made to be in the playoffs,” Munnerlyn said. “I think it’s going to be a very good game. I am excited for the opportunity. ….”

Munnerlyn is an “antsy guy” on game days and sleep is difficult for him the night before. Playing on Sunday night presents an extra challenge because it means having too much time to be excited before kickoff. How will he relax and focus during those extra hours before game time?

“I don’t know what I am going to do,” Munnerlyn said last week. “I gotta figure it out.”

Robison can commiserate about the challenge of too much time. “I don’t like sitting in a hotel and just waiting all day,” he said. “I want to get up and be able to go after it. Those noon games, those 3:25 games are awesome. At the end of the day (next Sunday) you’re getting to play a game, you’re playing in prime time. Everybody is going to see you, so it’s about going out there and putting your best (effort).”

Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd was lighthearted about Sunday’s Giants game, joking about eight more hours in the hotel. “But I will enjoy it (the game). Prime time and we get a chance to play across the country, so it’s a good deal,” Floyd said.

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Wallace Wants Vikings Return in 2016

Posted on December 18, 2015December 18, 2015 by David Shama

Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace is headed toward his fewest receptions since his rookie year of 2009. His contract doesn’t guarantee he will return to the team, but he wants to stay in Minnesota.

Wallace was acquired last March in a trade with the Dolphins to give the Vikings a deep-threat among their receiving corps. His contract reportedly pays him close to $10 million this season, but doesn’t assure a paycheck or roster spot next season from Minnesota. The Vikings can let him go at no cost to them, according to reports.

After a rookie season when Wallace caught 39 balls, he has totaled 60 or more receptions each year. Twice he has had more than 70 catches in a year, but this season, with three regular season games remaining, he has just 33.

Mike Wallace (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.)

Wallace has started every game except one but in three of those games never caught a pass. His games with the most receptions have totaled eight, six and four. It seems at times he has been used as a decoy, opening up space on the field for others. On other occasions he has been part of a failed Vikings passing attack characterized by poor blocking and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s inconsistencies.

Whatever the reasons for Wallace’s miniscule totals that include just two touchdown catches, he admitted being frustrated at times.

“Of course. I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t (get frustrated),” Wallace told Sports Headliners. “I’ve been like three or four games where I had zero catches. Of course you’re going to be upset, but…probably all three of those games we won, so it’s bittersweet. Definitely, first things first is win, but at the end of the day you’re still on the field and you want to do personal things. At the same time you gotta stay positive.”

The Vikings won two of the three games Wallace referenced, defeating the Bears and Falcons while losing to the Packers. In those games and all season he said he remained upbeat. He hasn’t voiced concerns, or made complaints, to coaches.

Wallace likes his teammates and coaches. They support one another and that has everything to do with wanting to remain a Viking. He is all about wanting to return in 2016.

“I love this team,” Wallace said. “I love the guys on this team. I love the coaches. It’s fun. These guys give me energy. …”

Starting this Sunday with a home game against the Bears, Wallace hopes for opportunities to be more involved as the 8-5 Vikings compete for the NFC North championship and a playoff run. The 29-year-old known for his extraordinary speed, wants a fast finish to the season.

“I am trying to, man,” Wallace said. “I am focused on it. I want it to happen. I love being on this team. I want to give myself the best chance to be on this team, try to have a strong finish. …”

Worth Noting

The Vikings had to score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Bears in Chicago last month. Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery caught 10 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown.

It’s likely the Bears offense will feature a lot of quick screen passes to their receivers on Sunday—something the team has favored in its offense for a couple of seasons.

The Vikings started six rookies in their last game on December 10, the most in franchise history. Starting against the Cardinals were offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, linebackers Eric Kendricks and Edmond Robinson, cornerback Trae Waynes and safety Anthony Harris.

The Vikings have scored 11 special teams touchdowns since coordinator Mike Priefer joined the franchise in 2011—tied with the Eagles for the most in the NFL during that span.

Want to be a volunteer for the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis? Maureen Bausch, the Minneapolis-based executive in charge of planning and executing the week-long celebration for the Super Bowl here, told Sports Headliners she expects about 8,000 volunteers will be needed for activities and events. Anyone applying will be vetted four times including online.

Bausch doesn’t expect a problem reaching the 8,000 total and anyone interested can sign up in the summer of 2017. The best way to stay knowledgeable about the process and Super Bowl 2018 news is to sign up now for email notifications at mnsuperbowl.com. And, no, you don’t receive a game ticket if you volunteer.

Mikko Koivu in Wild's Stadium Series uniform. — Mikko Koivu in Wild’s Stadium Series uniform.

The Wild will unveil the 2016 NHL Stadium Series Alumni uniform on Monday during the team’s game against the Stars at Xcel Energy Center. The Stadium Series uniform current Wild players will wear was unveiled in late November and jersey sales to fans have been so brisk club officials were anticipating another shipment before Christmas.

Tickets remain for the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series weekend February 20-21. Starting at 4 p.m. on February 20 alumni from the Wild and North Stars will face alums from the Blackhawks. The next day beginning at 2:30 p.m. the Wild play the Blackhawks. Both games will be held outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium.

Former Gophers basketball player Jamal Abu-Shamala is now a financial services representative with Principal Financial Group and offices in Minnetonka.

Undefeated Hopkins is ranked No. 7 among midwest boys basketball teams by USA Today following last Saturday’s 89-81 win over previously unbeaten Apple Valley. The Royals are No. 25 in USA Today’s national rankings. Last week Apple Valley was No. 16 in the rankings but now is unranked.

Iowa Western Community College assistant coach James Bankhead is recruiting Minneapolis North forward Jamil Jackson and St. Croix Lutheran guard Ade Murkey. Iowa Western’s roster this season includes sophomore guard Andre Wallace who played at Eden Prairie High School. Iowa Western is ranked No. 10 in the latest NJCAA poll of Division I programs.

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