Sports

(WCCO) February 9, 2010

The word is Gopher men's basketball head coach Tubby Smith offered St. Paul Johnson junior Estan Tyler a scholarship.

-------

Why are the Minnesota Timberwolves playing better these days? When you talk to players they'll just tell you it's doing the same thing every day and finally doing it better.

The Wolves Ramon Sessions has plans for the upcoming all-star break.

"I'm going to go back to my University of Nevada and they're going to honor my jersey ... I didn't have a senior night, I left early so I'm going to go back there for that," Sessions said.

Former Wolves forward Gary Trent is living in the Twin Cities and coaching youth basketball.

-------

The Minnesota Wild's head coach Todd Richards is looking forward to the Olympic break, maybe more than others.

"The first four or five days will probably be really good. But then after that, and I think it's not only me but the wives and girlfriends will be saying, 'Get out of the house and get back to the rink,'" Richards said.

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher attended the funeral of Brian Burke's son. The Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager, an Edina-native, lost his son to a car accident last week.

-------

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. worked as a commentator on the radio broadcast of the Super Bowl.

And former Viking quarterback Warren Moon and former Viking quarterback Rich Gannon went head to head in the celebrity beach flag football game at the Super Bowl last week.


February 2, 2010

Royce White's decision to return to the University of Minnesota basketball program appears still in limbo but sources indicate he had quit attending practices last week. The other concern is the potential for agents to try and sign him to a deal.

There is very little optimism that Al Nolen will return to the team this season.

-------

Seantrel Henderson, who will make his college decision on Wednesday, was told he could play basketball as well, if he wanted to, for the Gophers.

Hopkins Joey Coleman, who Tubby Smith offered a scholarship to, also has an offer from Santa Clara where former Hopkins stand-out James Ware coaches.

-------

The Minnesota Timberwolves talked to Rashad McCants, a free agent without a job, but nothing has moved on it.

-------

For what it's worth, Minnesota Viking Bryant McKinnie told Mike Max on Monday night there was a breakdown in communication that led to his problems last week at the Pro Bowl.

Cedric Griffin said his knee surgery went well last Thursday and he expects to be back for training camp.

Mike Markuson, a Sooner graduate from Farmington High School, had been serving as the offensive line coach at Ole Miss, coaching Michael Oher of "Blind Side" movie fame. He has now been promoted to co-offensive coordinator.


January 26, 2010

Don't think Rick Spielman and the Vikings aren't planning on a Plan B for a quarterback if Brett Favre doesn't return.

-------

The Gophers sent six coaches to the home of Cretin-Derham Hall tackle Seantrel Henderson to let them know how badly they wanted him.

-------

Cretin quarterback Mark Alt verbally committed to play hockey for the Gophers and took a football visit to Iowa.

-------

Former Minnetonka quarterback Jesse Nelson is now a graduate assistant football coach for the Gophers.

-------

The Minnesota Wild is not that optimistic that there will make any moves before the trade deadline.

-------

Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley is going back to school this off season to do something few have done in his family -- finish a college degree.

"Definitely makes us feel great. I know mom's proud," said Brinkley.

-------

When Bryant McKinnie is done with the Pro Bowl he plans on pursuing his new hobby -- tennis with Venus Williams.

"I've been learning. Learning the terminology," laughed McKinnie.

January 19, 2010

While Brett Favre goes home this week, his family will be there in full force. His brother Scott, also a college football player, knows the demand.

"Well, we grew up like him, but Brett had his team, and he just actually beat 'em, Brett grew up liking the Cowboys and I grew up liking the Pittsburgh Steelers, but you know, the Saints being close to us, you know, it's like Adrian and the Cowboys. It's going to be exciting," Scott Favre said.

As far as the Favre clan at the game? Scott Favre said it could be a good crew.

"There could be anywhere from 30 to 50 of us close relatives, depending on how many tickets Brett can get," he said.

-------

Tony Dungy told me he has no interest in coaching next year at a minimum.

-------

If the Minnesota Vikings can win a Super Bowl, it would constitute quite a few months for one member of the Vikings' ownership. Leonard Wilf is not just a part owner of the Minnesota Vikings, he's also a part owner of the 2009 World Champions, the New York Yankees.

-------

The person who pushed hard for Lindsey Whalen to come to Minnesota was Lindsey Whalen.

--------

In the past, Connecticut had asked for Seimone Augustus in return.

-------

Look for Trevor Mbakwe to red shirt for the Gopher basketball team given how long his legal process is taking.

-------

Former Edina and North Dakota star Joe Finley, a first-round pick of Washington, is out for the season with a hand injury.

-------

Tim Brewster's contract extension is in the hands of the lawyers.

------

And finally, Visanthe Shiancoe has a plan for meeting his former teammate and friend Darren Sharper this Sunday in the end zone.

He'll let his touchdown celebrations do the talking.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)