David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on February 1, 2012February 1, 2012 by David Shama

Gophers guard Austin Hollins on the Big Ten race: “I think we’re still in it.”

Minnesota, 4-5, has three more losses than conference leader OhioState, 7-2. Gophers coach Tubby Smith regards Ohio State and Michigan State (6-3) as “head of the class” teams. The Buckeyes have the most talent but Michigan State may have the conference Player of the Year in Draymond Green, Smith said last weekend.

The Gophers 2012 football recruiting class will be announced today and the group is ranked last in the Big Ten by Rivals.com. Scout.com ranks Minnesota No. 11 ahead of Illinois. Gophers coach Jerry Kill, interviewed on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle Sunday, said player speed was emphasized in recruiting this class. Several of his recruits are already in school and he said six of them are among the 10 fastest players in the program.

Kill also said 6-5 former quarterback Moses Alipate has been switched to tight end for spring practice.

Kill’s news conference to talk about his 2012 recruiting class will be shown live on Gophersports.com starting at 3 p.m. today.

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings stadium site turns out to be Farmers Market and Hennepin County becomes a major partner in the financing.

Dan Patrick reports in the January 16 issue of Sports Illustrated that Christian Ponder has already been told by the Vikings, who hold the No. 3 pick in the upcoming college draft, that Minnesota won’t select a quarterback. In the same issue Peter King writes the Vikings are “desperate” for help at guard and left tackle “but the biggest trouble by far is at cornerback.”

WCCO Radio’s Eric Nelson is covering his 19^th Super Bowl this week. He said about 5,000 media are expected in Indianapolis for the New England and New York Giants game on Sunday.

Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman on the strike-shortened and compacted NBA season. “Even if you’re young (like the Wolves), you get tired.”

Wolves guard Wes Johnson, who has been recovering from pneumonia, said he’s been in the worst shooting slump he can remember. He’s only made 7 of his last 20 field goals and his percentage for the season is .368.

Speculation is Wolves All-Star forward Kevin Love wasn’t happy about not receiving the maximum contract offer for five years and about $80 million but his performance since signing a four year, $61 million deal has been impressive. Love is averaging 27.7 points in games since last Wednesday.

Rookie point guard Ricky Rubio plays flashy but on the court and off he consistently tries to defer to his teammates. Rubio doesn’t seek news media publicity.

Former Gopher Joel Przybilla, who has played 10 seasons in the NBA, is without a club now but his name has been linked with the Celtics and Bulls.

NBA legend Jerry West recalls in his new book, West by West, he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers but soon thereafter the franchise moved to Los Angeles. In the book West writes about a dream NBA game involving him and other NBA greats representing East and West teams. The scroe is tied at 105 with five seconds remaining when Mr. Clutch, despite the presence in the huddle of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, demands the ball. How does the tale end? Read the book.

To help celebrate the 26th National Girls and Women in Sports Day the Lynx will participate in a ceremony at the State Capitol today from noon to 1 p.m. National Girls and Women in Sports Day was first chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1986 and honors female athletic achievement and recognizes the positive influence of sports participation for girls and women.

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No ‘Chance’ McDonald to Drop U

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 by David Shama

Gophers coach Jerry Kill received a rare four-star commitment (ESPN.com) late last week when All-State Hopkins High School wide receiver Andre McDonald announced he will sign a national letter of intent with Minnesota on Wednesday. McDonald committed to the Gophers last year, but then changed his pledge to Vanderbilt in the fall.

Will he switch again in the next 48 hours? “I don’t think there’s any chance of that,” said John DenHartog, Hopkins coach. “I think he’s excited about the decision. Minnesota is the best place for him. He can help the program.”

DenHartog said McDonald gave up Vanderbilt this winter after the wide receivers’ coach left to join a new coaching staff at Illinois. Chris Beatty then recruited McDonald aggressively as did Iowa.

The Gophers are neither deep in bodies or talent at wide receiver. McDonald is about 6-3 and 205 pounds, and was a dangerous receiver in high school. “He’s got some unique skills,” DenHartog told Sports Headliners. “He can be a difference maker. He can make moves in tight spaces and make people miss and turn in big gains.”

DenHartog said McDonald “has unlimited potential” but that Kill didn’t promise a starting job. “Andre knows he’s going to have to work hard,” DenHartog said.

The Hopkins coach has been impressed with the forthrightness and caring of Kill. He also likes the longevity Kill and his staff have with one another. DenHartog is optimistic about the downtrodden Gophers program.

“If anyone (a coach) is going to do it, I believe he’s the one,” DenHartog said. “His intensity and honesty are really refreshing. The majority of time people are trying to sell a dream but coach Kill, he’s going to be forthright and the kids appreciate that.”

McDonald is playing in the International Bowl in Austin, Texas on Wednesday night. He’s expected to sign his paper work committing to the Gophers that day.

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Twins Goal Remains World Series

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 by David Shama

The Twins lost 99 games last season and were unable to repeat as Central Division winners, but club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners the franchise isn’t deflated about the news 2011 division champ Detroit has acquired slugger Prince Fielder. He also said his organization goes into each season with the goal of winning the World Series.

Baseball talk was prevalent over the weekend with fans attending the three-day TwinsFest at the Metrodome. In a few weeks the Twins open spring training in Fort Myers with only a few changes from the 2011 roster.

The Twins were World Series champions in 1987 and 1991. When will they win another a World Series? “We’re working hard. We’re trying,” St. Peter said. “That’s obviously the goal every year. …We do believe there’s still a core group of players (on the 2012 roster) that can contribute to a world championship.

“Our job as an organization is to continue to try to build on that base and to continue to acquire through all means—whether it means through the draft, whether it be free agency, whether it be trade—incremental players who are winners. At the end of the day that’s the road that we’re on and we feel good about that.”

The Twins won division titles in 2009 and 2010, but the Tigers were champions last year with a 95-67 record compared with Minnesota’s 63-99. In 2010 the Twins were 94-68. That record and season gives St. Peter optimism.

“I think it’s important to remember that the starting (pitching) rotation we’ll go to spring training with—mainly (Carl) Pavano, (Francisco) Liriano, (Scott) Baker and (Nick) Blackburn—those were the same guys that were the starters for us in 2010 when we won 94 games and a division championship. We believe in those guys. We think they all can contribute to a very successful season. …We’re looking for bounce back years from those guys.”

St. Peter said he wasn’t discouraged by news the Tigers signed Fielder last week for a reported $214 million. Fielder hit 38 home runs and drove in 120 runs for Milwaukee last year.

“…Hey, you respect the teams in your division, obviously,” St. Peter said. “We’ve been battling the Tigers for a decade. We’ve come out most of the time in this division. They’re the defending champs so they’re gonna defend.

“They had a significant loss in Victor Martinez and now they’ve replaced that bat with Prince. We tend to focus more on the Twins and what we can do. As long as our guys are healthy and we play at the level that we’re capable of playing, we like our chances to play and contend in this division, and that includes the Tigers. …”

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