Here’s a guess that two Twins pitchers who may have surprise seasons and help solve an unsettled pitching staff are Brian Duensing and Glen Perkins. Duensing, 28, is a possible starter and impressed last season, his second in the majors, with a 10-2 record and 2.62 ERA. Perkins, also 28, has the experience (he won 12 games in 2008) to make a comeback from last year’s 1-1 record and help in the bullpen.
The Wolves Kevin Love is the best in the NBA this season with four games of 30 or more points and 20 or more rebounds.
Apple Valley High School basketball player Tyus Jones was featured this week on FSN North’s Prep Zone show. The ninth grader has classic point guard court awareness.
Coach Steve Fritz is pushing toward 600 career wins and could get No. 589 tonight when St. Thomas hosts Northwestern College (Roseville) in an opening NCAA tournament Division III playoff basketball game. In 31 seasons he has 588 wins, 246 losses and his Tommies recently won a 10th MIAC playoff title.
Former Gophers and Vikings player Jack Brewer has a foundation that helped organize a recent trip to China promoting the NFL. Among those accompanying Brewer was Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice.
College hockey increases its prestige next year with the debut of Penn State’s Division I men’s and women’s teams. The school will open an impressive new arena in 2013. Web reports include Wisconsin women’s coach Mark Johnson as a possible candidate for the Penn State men’s job.
Edina native and Toronto general manager Brian Burke expressed confidence in another Minnesotan when he acquired defenseman Jake Gardiner in a recent trade with Anaheim. The 20-year-old Gardiner, who played high school hockey at Minnetonka, is third on the Wisconsin Badgers in assists with 37 points (nine goals, 28 assists).
The Wild’s Cam Barker will participate in the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Calhoun tomorrow to support Special Olympics. He will match all funds raised up to $15,000.
The Wild’s Brent Burns and Nick Schultz have a bet to see who can last the longest without having a haircut.
As of Wednesday, recently acquired Wild Finnish prospect Mikko Lehtonen led the Swedish Elite league with 29 goals and was second in scoring with 57 points in 53 games.
The Swarm game against Buffalo from Xcel Energy Center on March 27 will be televised nationally on VERSUS.