The poor taste award for the weekend goes to the Gopher student section that let out a chant of “Fire Wittman! on Saturday at Williams Arena.”  Randy sat a few seats away from the students while he watched his son Ryan, a former Eden Prairie player, score 21 points for Cornell in the team’s 71-54 loss to the Gophers.

The Gophers, 8-0, owe their success to several players including freshmen centers Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III.  After Saturday’s game coach Tubby Smith described the development of the two as “pleasant” of a surprise as he’s experienced in coaching.

Wolves basketball boss Kevin McHale turns 51 on December 19.  His legendary teammate with the Celtics, Larry Bird, was 52 yesterday.

Former Minnetonka player Anthony Tucker, now a freshman at Iowa (7-2), is leading the team in scoring average at 13.2 points per game.

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell expects his friend Brett Favre, 39, to play next season for the New York Jets.

Jared Allen said he’s been doing his simulated calf roping celebration after sacks for about two and one-half seasons.  The Vikings’ defensive end was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week last week for his three sacks and nine tackles performance against Chicago on November 30.  Yesterday against Detroit he had two more sacks to increase his season total to 12.5.

Allen said he won’t evaluate his 2008 performance until after the season.  His goal is to lead the NFL in sacks, something he did last year playing with Kansas City when he had 15.5.  The Chiefs were 4-12 last season, while the Vikings are now 8-5 and in first place in the NFC North.  Last week before the Detroit game he said it’s a “blast” to be on a team making a run for the playoffs.  “Each year is its own year,” he said.  “I just have a blast playing football.”

Vikings sales and marketing executive Steve LaCroix reported via e-mail late Friday that over 4,000 tickets remain for the Atlanta game here on December 21 and over 3,000 for the New York Giants game a week later.

Vikings linebacker Ben Leber has GOP presidential signage on his Winter Park locker and was asked if he spoke publicly in support of the John McCain–Sarah Palin ticket.  “No, I just got involved with politics a little bit more just from watching TV and the whole thing, getting caught up just like everybody else,” he said.  “I missed the RNC. Decided to stay home with the family and watch it on TV.”

What about Palin and her future?  “I think she’s obviously learned a lot just from the campaign and probably what to say and what not to say,” Leber said. “And maybe how to be prepared for interviews and stuff.  But she’s going to be around politics for a long time, and we’re going to be hearing a lot from her in the next three years.”

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Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, along with several teammates and franchise alumni are scheduled to participate in a bowling event tonight at Andover Lanes in Andover to benefit the Vikings Children’s Fund.  The event is sold out for team bowling but spectator tickets at $5 each were available as of Friday.  Chad Greenway, Ben Leber and Madieu Williams are among the Vikings scheduled to participate.  For more information, call the Vikings at 952-828-6500.

Pioneer Press notes columnist Charley (Shooter) Walters has about 3,500 names in his phone directory but Sports Headliners stumped him with Tom Kondla.  Don’t know the name?  See the answer at end of column.

Former Twins Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat are among 10 veteran players who have been on the ballot for induction into baseball’s hall of fame.  A player had to have played no more recently than 21 years ago, according to the hall’s web site, www.baseballhalloffame.org.  Results will be announced today.

Among prep hockey players making a favorable early season impression is Eden Prairie’s Nick Leddy, an exceptional skating defenseman.  He and five others recently signed National Letters of Intent with the Gophers.

Concordia-St. Paul has five volleyball players on the American Volleyball Coaches Association team, the most All-Americans by one team in NCAA Division II this year. Maggie McNamara and Emily Palkert were named first team, Maria Steinhagen, Whitney Meierotto and Mary Slinger second team and Sadie Kessler honorable mention.  McNamara, who has received national player of the year awards, and her teammates, won their second consecutive national championship on Saturday.

Trivia answer: Tom Kondla was an All-American center for the Gophers in 1967.

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Don’t describe Marian Gaborik as soft.  An NHL source who requested anonymity while talking with Sports Headliners scoffed at the accusation that the Minnesota Wild’s best goal scorer isn’t tough enough to play through injuries.

Gaborik has missed 22 games this season because of what’s been described as a “lower body” injury.  The source believes the problem is a groin injury, something that has plagued the extraordinary 26-year-old wing in the past.

“Groin…(injuries) aren’t the kind of thing where you can play with some pain,” the source said.  “You might have a little pain in your shoulder or something, and you should be able to tolerate that probably.  But if you explode when you skate the way he does, and it keeps getting pulled. …It’s hard for him because I am sure he’s leery because it’s happened so many times. …”

Gaborik is a free agent after this season.  From various reports contract talks are at an impasse with all concerned.

The situation seems like a mess.  Gaborik’s latest injury and past problems (for example, he missed 34 games with a groin injury during the 2006-07 season and earlier in his career was out for awhile because of an injured hip) taint his reputation to be available either to the Wild or another team.  Presumably Gaborik, who also had a groin problem last season, has lost leverage with both the length and compensation of a new contract.  The Wild, in need of goal scorers, must contemplate how much Gaborik will be available to them this season, and if at all in future seasons.  Also, what value will he have in a trade?

A declining American economy and falling Canadian dollar contribute to the situation, too.  Plus, the source suspects there are hard feelings between the Wild, Gaborik and his agent Ron Salcer.

The source said it will be almost “impossible” to trade Gaborik now but after the first of the year and when the NHL trading deadline nears things could change.  “The best scenario,” he believes, is for Gaborik to return to the Wild, play 30 or so games and draw interest from teams that either think they need one more vital player to win the Stanley Cup, or at least make the playoffs.

“He’s a phenomenally good goal scorer, among the top three or four in the league,” the source said.  “Just an absolute great talent.  And from what I’ve…understood, it’s not like he’s a problem in the locker room. …Apparently he’s an excellent teammate. …”

Gaborik had his best season in 2007-08, with 42 goals and 41 assists.

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