The Gophers, who were 22-11 last season, can improve by avoiding “scoring droughts” and not “giving up easy baskets,” according to senior guard Lawrence Westbrook who was the only Minnesota player to average in double figures during 2008-09.
Gophers sophomore Devoe Joseph said he will have playing time at both point and shooting guard.
The 2010 WNBA Draft Lottery will be held in New York via conference call today starting at 1 p.m. The Lynx have two of the three positions in the lottery and the best chance of landing the number one overall selection. At 14-20, the Lynx finished with the third-worst record in the WNBA last season, behind Sacramento and New York. Because of a 2008 trade, the Lynx own New York’s first round pick in the draft next April.
The Gophers had a school record 17 penalties in last week’s win over Michigan State. Offensive right tackle Jeff Wills had five of those penalties, including a personal foul. Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said players and coaches scrutinize the penalties and also use officials in practice to improve game results. “We go through every single penalty that’s called against us with our team, as a team,” he said.
Gophers senior tight end Nick Tow-Arnett caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Adam Weber against Michigan State and helped replace the lost production from wide receiver Eric Decker who is out for the season because of his injured left foot. “Nobody can replace Deck,” Tow-Arnett said. “Just working with Web over the summer I think we kind of got comfortable where when you’re out there I know what he’s going to do. Just having that timing and everything helps a lot.”
Tow-Arnett acknowledged that the Gophers have had problems in the past winning consecutive games against quality opponents. “That’s one of those things if we want to take this program to the next step we gotta start putting those wins back to back,” he said. “Getting a big win and then just continuing. We can’t have a big win and then have a let down the next week.”
Linebacker Sam Maresh, the 2008 graduate from Champlin Park High School who couldn’t compete for the Gophers last fall because of open heart surgery, is redshirting this season and contributing in practices as a scout team player. “He’s going to be a heck of a player for us,” said Brewster.
A plus for fans who want to see Joe Mauer remain with the Twins is that his agent Ron Shapiro has a positive reputation, and years ago negotiated a deal that kept Kirby Puckett with Minnesota.
Sports memorabilia collectors take note: the Twins are having a moving sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items in the sale include bobbleheads, publications, artwork, Metrodome signage, jerseys, clothing, memorabilia, collectables and much more. Visit www.twinsbaseball.com.
Wild left wing Andrew Brunette was tied as of yesterday for the NHL lead with five power-play goals this season.
Former North Star Mike Modano came off the Dallas injury list earlier this week and is expected to face the Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday.
Alexandria native Matt Hemingway was recently named the United States Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Week. The 18-year-old has a 1.92 goals against average and .943 save percentage for Cedar Rapids.
Coach Don Lucia’s Gophers hockey team plays in Madison tomorrow night and Saturday evening against Wisconsin. During the past three seasons 12 of the 13 games have been decided by two goals or less. There have been four ties, five one-goal games and three two-goal margins. Gophers goalie Alex Kangas played both games when Minnesota swept Alaska Anchorage last weekend. He stopped 53 of 55 shots for the weekend while allowing one goal in each game.
Eight MIAC men’s soccer players and six MIAC women’s soccer players earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District recognition. On the men’s soccer first team are Sean Kennedy, St. Thomas midfielder; Alex Hildebrandt, Augsburg defender; Ross Hamilton, Carleton defender; Elliot Amundson, St. Thomas forward. Second team: Mads Schmidt, Concordia goalkeeper; Marco Riboli, Concordia midfielder; Robert Carlton, Carleton defender; Tim Willis, Carleton forward. On the women’s first team are Alison Dittmer, Gustavus defender; Erika Swenson, Concordia defender; Whitney Holman, Augsburg defender; Samantha Johnson, Concordia forward. Third team: Tess Hanson, St. Thomas defender; Kelsey Speer, Macalester defender.