David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wolves Owner: No Trade Deal Yet

Posted on March 7, 2012March 7, 2012 by David Shama

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners the Wolves could make a deal before the NBA trading deadline next week. “I just might say 50-50 (odds). We have no deal right now. I do know teams are calling.”

Presumably the Wolves are most interested in acquiring an exceptional shooting small forward or big guard, or perhaps a draft choice allowing them to further improve their roster of talented young players. The trading deadline is March 15.

Taylor said teams, including the Lakers, have asked about Wolves forward Michael Beasley, a starter in past seasons but not now. Beasley might be the most likely player to be traded, although second year guard Wes Johnson, a disappointment so far including with his shooting, could be on a short list of candidates, too.

Do the Wolves have any untouchables on the roster? “People ask about Ricky (Rubio) and Kevin (Love),” Taylor said. “We’re not even going to talk to them (other teams).”

General manager David Kahn is presumably making and receiving a lot of calls from other clubs, but one deal that hasn’t been discussed involves his contract. Kahn is in the last year of his three-year deal and Taylor wants him to continue with the organization.

The Wolves owner said he hasn’t even thought about when the two will discuss a new contract — likely after the season. “I like David,” Taylor said. “…He’s always out there exploring. He lays out a lot of options (for Taylor).”

The Wolves might make the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but Taylor said neither Kahn nor first year head coach Rick Adelman has bonus clauses in their contracts for postseason results.

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Duluth East, Cadets Hockey Tourney Picks

Posted on March 7, 2012March 7, 2012 by David Shama

Lou Nanne will provide TV analysis at the state hockey tournament for the 48^th year starting this week. The former Gophers All-American and NHL executive predicts Duluth East will win the Class 2A tournament and St. Thomas Academy the Class 1A.

“East has got a great team,” Nanne told Sports Headliners. “The same team back from last year’s finals. They’re the team to beat. St. Thomas is an experienced team (state champs in 2011) that’s played a tough schedule.”

Nanne will have particular interest in the Class 2A tournament. He will be working only Class 2A games on TV, and two of his grandsons are playing for Edina in that tournament. Tomorrow night the Hornets, including sophomore defenseman Tyler Nanne and junior forward Louie Nanne, play against Benilde-St. Margaret’s in an opening Class 2A game starting at 8 p.m.

Louie has verbally committed to the Gophers, while Tyler is too young to announce a college choice. This will be Louie’s third state tournament. “Louis is a tenacious competitor,” his grandfather said. “He’s got a great shot. Tyler is really skilled. He’s got very good hand skills.”

How do the grandsons compare to their grandfather when he was of high school age? “They both skate better than me,” Nanne said. “They have better wrist shots. They’re faster than me. Louie hits a lot like I did.”

Nanne also follows the Gophers and believes the WCHA regular season champions could win the NCAA tournament if the goalie play is exceptional. His pick to win the title is Boston College. “A great all-around team with exceptional speed,” Nanne said.

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Worth Noting

Posted on March 7, 2012March 7, 2012 by David Shama

Fox Sports North hockey analyst Kevin Gorg picks Hermantown to win the Class 1A tournament and Benilde-St. Margaret’s to take the Class 2A championship.

The consensus among Sports Headliners’ sources is the Vikings — this year or next —will gain public approval for a new stadium in Minneapolis. Don’t dismiss the possibility, though, the stadium could be built near Target Field, and not on the Metrodome site.

Mark Rosen’s new book, The Best Seat in the House, will be available starting in late March. The WCCO TV sports anchor and reporter writes about his experiences at Ch. 4 and sports figures he’s known. Rosen has been on local TV longer than any other news or sports anchor in this marketplace. He started working part-time at the station in 1969.

Gophers basketball, for the first time in memory, had only two home sellouts this season. The Gophers averaged 11,794 fans (capacity 14,625) for 19 home games. Minnesota’s average for Big Ten home games was 12,723. For conference games two years ago the Gophers average was 14,625, while last year it was 13,241.

The Gophers, who finished with a 6-12 Big Ten record for the second consecutive season, play their opening conference tournament game tomorrow starting at 4:30 p.m. in Indianapolis against Northwestern. During the regular season Minnesota defeated the Wildcats 75-52 in Minneapolis, but lost 64-53 in Evanston.

Northwestern is likely to win tomorrow if the Gophers don’t minimize the Widcats’ three point shooting. Northwestern made five more three point shots than the Gophers in Evanston. The Wildcats were second in Big Ten three point field goal percentage at .385.

Based on past statistics, Twins catcher Joe Mauer, 28, figures to have a comeback year after last season’s .287 average. He ranks No. 7 with a .323 batting average among the top career major league hitters since 1950 (minimum 3,500 plate appearances). Among those ahead of the Twins three-time batting champion is Tony Gwynn at .338 and Ted Williams, .335. They rank No. 1 and 2 while former Twin Kirby Puckett is No. 10 at .318.

Since the Twins inception in 1961 the club ranks No. 2 in hits, No. 3 in batting average and No. 4 in both runs scored and on-base percentage among major league teams.

Gustavus and St. Thomas, the two MIAC men’s hockey programs in the Division III tournament, both play tonight. The MIAC playoff-champion Gusties (16-6-5) will host Milwaukee School of Engineering (22-6-1) in St. Peter. The MIAC regular season champion Tommies (18-5-2) play at defending national champion St. Norbert (17-5-5) in Green Bay.

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