Jim Rantz, Twins senior director for minor league operations, likes infielder Brian Dozier who will start the season at Class AAA Rochester. Dozier hit .296 in the Arizona Fall League and will play mostly second base at Rochester, although he’s drawn past speculation as a big league shortstop.
Sports Headliners has been told that to build a Vikings Stadium on the Arden Hills site will require about 33 permits from government agencies, a far larger number than building on or near the Metrodome site.
The Gophers, 0-2 in the Big Ten this season against Iowa, play another border rival tomorrow night, Wisconsin at Williams Arena. The Gophers play in Madison on February 28.
Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, now in his fifth season with the Golden Gophers, is 6-2 in rivalry games against Iowa, and 3-3 versus Wisconsin.
The Gophers will likely start two Minnesotans tomorrow night, forward Rodney Williams and guard Joe Coleman. The Badgers figure to start three Minnesotans, forward Mike Bruesewitz, center Jared Berggren and guard Jordan Taylor.
Last season Badgers sophomore guard Josh Gasser became the first Big Ten freshman to earn a triple double since Magic Johnson in 1977.
The NBA All-Star balloting is a reminder about the lack of quality centers in pro basketball compared with power forwards. Superior power forwards like the Wolves’ Kevin Love weren’t voted on to the first team.
The Wild are home tomorrow night against Vancouver, part of a favorable home schedule the rest of the season that has Minnesota playing 18 of its remaining 29 games atXcel EnergyCenter. Tickets remain for all home games.
The Wild’s Cal Clutterbuck and Nick Schultz answer questions and provide autographs tonight at Main Street Bar and Grill in Hopkins. Matt Kassian and Nate Prosser will do the same on Monday at Cowboy Jack’s in Bloomington. Both appearances begin at 7 p.m. and are part of the Wild Hockey Unplugged series. Autograph tickets for each player will be distributed.
Saint John’s forward Aaron Barmore knows about perfection. The former Bloomington Jefferson High School player is the MIAC Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week. All he did last week was not miss a single field goal attempt in helping the Johnnies upset St. Thomas for the first time since 2003 and also defeat Hamline. Barmore averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. He made all 12 of his field goal attempts.
The Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game training camp will for the first time be at Saint John’s University in Collegeville. The game will be played on June 30 at TCF Bank Stadium.