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U
Football Frustrations Growing
Glen Mason is in his 10th season as
University of Minnesota football coach. The Gophers are more than half
way through their 12 game schedule (four non-conference games and, as
usual, eight Big Ten Conference games). Following Saturday’s 48-12 loss
to Wisconsin, the Gophers are 0-4 in the conference and 2-5 overall.
Dating back to last season, Minnesota has the second longest losing
streak in the Big Ten. The Gophers have lost five consecutive
conference games while Michigan State has lost six straight. Minnesota
is 2-7 in its last nine conference games and is in last place in the Big
Ten.
Mason’s career record at Minnesota is 60 wins, 55 losses. He has won 29
conference games and lost 47. His non-conference record (including bowl
games where he is 3-3) is 30 wins, nine losses.
In
the Big Ten Mason has 11 conference road wins in nine and one-half
seasons. He has never won in Madison, the site of Saturday’s loss.
The scores in Madison: 48-12, 38-14, 49-31, 41-20 and 26-7.
During the Mason era Minnesota’s highest finish in the conference
standings has been fourth (three times). The other finishes are 10th,
ninth, eighth and seventh (three times). The last five seasons the
Gophers’ conference finishes have been 10th, seventh, fourth,
eighth and seventh again.
The
30-9 non-conference record has come against these schools: Hawaii, Iowa
State, Memphis, Houston, Arkansas State,
Ohio, Louisiana-Monroe, Illinois State, Baylor, Toledo,
Louisiana-Lafayette, Murray State, Southwest Texas State, Buffalo,
Tulsa, Troy State, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Kent State,
California and Temple, plus bowl opponents Oregon, North Carolina State,
Arkansas, Alabama and Virginia.
Iowa
and Wisconsin are the conference schools in closest geographic proximity
to Minnesota. Iowa has won two of the last four conference
championships and participated in four consecutive major bowl games
including the Orange Bowl. (The Gophers haven’t defeated Iowa since 2000
and have lost their last three games in Iowa City by a combined score of
134 to 74). Wisconsin won Big Ten titles in 1998 and 1999 and won two
Rose Bowls following those seasons.
Northwestern, historically a subject of college football ridicule, won a
conference championship in 2000. In 1995 and 1996 the “Mildcats” were
also Big Ten champions.
To
finish above .500 for the season (7-5) the Gophers would need to win all
of their remaining games including in Columbus against No. 1 ranked Ohio
State. |
In the Big Ten Mason has 11
conference road wins in nine and one-half seasons. He has never won in
Madison, the site of Saturday’s loss.
Northwestern, historically a
subject of college football ridicule, won a conference championship in
2000. In 1995 and 1996 the “Mildcats” were also Big Ten champions.
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Wolves to Target Board Work
If
the Minnesota Timberwolves are to improve from last season’s 33-49
season and return to the playoffs they will need to rebound better. The
Wolves finished 27th in the 30 team NBA in total rebounds.
In offensive rebounds they were 29th.
The
Wolves lowly totals came despite having the league’s leading rebounder,
Kevin Garnett at 12.7 rebounds per game. Not being able to rebound
effectively can be particularly troublesome in close games when every
possession of the basketball may impact the game’s outcome. Last season
the Wolves were 1-5 in overtime games, 4-10 in games decided by three
points or less.
As
fans track the progress of the Wolves in the pre-season and early season,
attention will be paid to forwards Eddie Griffin
and Craig Smith, and center Mark Blount. Among the three,
Griffin is the most intriguing. On and off court problems have
characterized his four year pro career but the 24–year-old Griffin has
sometimes shown exceptional promise.
He
was second to Garnett in rebounds per game last season at 5.6. He
ranked 10th in the league in blocked shots per game at 2.11. Although
he had the worst scoring and rebound totals of his career last season,
his 17 point, 14 rebound, six blocked shots game against Indiana in
January teased teammates and others with his potential.
Wolves center Mark Madsen thinks the team is capable of
improved rebounding and that Griffin can be a major
contributor. “Eddie is a very gifted player,” Madsen said. “He’s a
special talent. He blocks shots on the way up. He blocks shots at the
zenith and he’s a great offensive rebounder. He can shoot the three
ball. He’s a guy who can change a game in short order.”
Can
he be an all-star? “With Eddie the sky’s the limit,” Madsen said. “I
think he’s gotten himself into phenomenal shape. He absolutely can be an
all-star.”
Smith
tore a ligament in his left wrist in late March. He needed an operation
and his recovery time meant he couldn’t showcase his ability for NBA
teams before the draft. Without the wrist problem, Smith might not have
been available to the Wolves as the 36th pick in the June draft.
The
6-7, 250-pound Smith averaged 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds during his
career at Boston College. He is the school’s leader in total rebounds.
In pre-season games and practices with the Wolves he has shown energy,
muscle and hustle. He describes himself as a guy who can “play
physical, make plays.”
Small
forward Ricky Davis, who played with Blount in Boston, said the
Wolves 7-foot center is a “big key” to rebounding this season. Playing
last season in both Boston and here, Blount averaged 4.5 rebounds per
game. Not only is Blount not considered an aggressive and effective
rebounder, but he also frequently experiences foul trouble, limiting his
availability. He said he expects his rebounding numbers to go up this
season.
For
improvement in rebounding, the Wolves will, of course, look beyond
Griffin, Smith and Blount. “It’s not going to be one guy that is going
to step up and take that load, I think it’s going to be a team
situation,” assistant coach Randy Wittman said. |
"With Eddie the sky’s the limit. I think
he’s gotten himself into phenomenal shape. He absolutely can be an
all-star.”
Mark Madsen talking about Eddie Griffin
Eddie Griffin
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Trading Card Values Remain Low
WCCO
Sports Huddle host Dave Mona, a trading card expert, estimates he
has one to two million cards. At one time he owned about four million
cards. He said recently a long term trend of declining interest and
value in cards continues. “Many cards from the last 20 years are
virtually worthless,” he said.
Card
manufacturers are producing fewer cards than in the past and interest
among the public, including youngsters, has been impacted by the many
other entertainment options. Among the “hot cards” today are Joe
Mauer and Johan Santana rookie cards. In football,
there has been lots of excitement about the rookie cards of former USC
idols Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. Mona said he
recently sold an autographed Leinart on eBay for $180.
Old
cards may still hold value including the famous 1952 Topps baseball
set. Mona estimated the set value at “more than $15,000.00.” Included
in the set is a rookie Mickey Mantle card
that Mona said even “if scruffy” could fetch $1,500.00. |
Dave Mona
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Extra Innings
Timberwolves center Mark Blount became friends with 89- year-old
Celtics legend Red Auerbach when he played in Boston. Blount
said he “loves Red” and is impressed with his memory. “His mind is
still sharp,” Blount said. “He will remember every play. He’ll
remember what I did right; what I did wrong. He is still on top of his
game.”
Former Twins batting champion Tony Oliva on whether the team
needs to add another power hitter for next season: “We got plenty of
hitting.”
The
Wild’s extension of Jacques Lemaire’s
contract wasn’t surprising. Although he is 61, Lemaire likes coaching
and the Wild organization has let others concentrate on being the
franchise’s public face to the public and media.
Steve Hutchinson, who left the Seahawks as a
free agent to sign with the Vikings this year, will be booed when he
returns to Seattle for Sunday’s game but how often can you boo someone
playing a low profile position like offensive tackle?
Gopher football coach Glen Mason indicated on WCCO Radio Sunday
that strong safety Dominic Jones likely will move to cornerback to
replace Trumiane Banks who broke his arm against Wisconsin on
Saturday. Duran Cooley, a junior college transfer, will take
Jones’ spot at strong safety.
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“He will remember every play.
He’ll remember what I did right; what I did wrong. He is still on top of
his game.”
Mark Blount talking about Red Auerbach
Steve Hutchinson
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