COLLEGE

Made for TV NCAAs: Louisville-Minnesota hits Pitino intrigue

March 18, 2019 Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Richard Pitino sat calmly in the middle of the room, his eager players flanking him and his restless children in front of him on the floor, as the teams with NCAA Tournament bids flashed on a big screen. There went Louisville, an awfully familiar name. Next came Minnesota, his current team. Pitino […]

VIKINGS

Free Agency-Vikings Capsule

March 11, 2019 Associated Press

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Anthony Barr, DT Sheldon Richardson, RB Latavius Murray, CB/PR Marcus Sherels, K Dan Bailey, DT Tom Johnson, G Tom Compton, G Nick Easton, WR Aldrick Robinson, QB Trevor Siemian, C Brett Jones, RB/KR Ameer Abdullah, S George Iloka. RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Anthony Harris, T Rashod Hill. NEEDS: Offensive line, once […]

TWINS

Twins tap All-Star Berrios to start on opening day

March 5, 2019 Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jose Berrios will be Minnesota’s opening day starter, the first such assignment for the 24-year-old right-hander. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced the decision to reporters on Monday, a natural honor for the team’s only All-Star last season. Berrios posted a career-best 3.84 ERA last year, his third in the major […]

TWINS

‘The new Miguel Sano’ trimmed down as Twins camp opens

February 18, 2019 Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Sano walked into the Minnesota Twins’ clubhouse just before 8 a.m., looking trimmed down in rainbow sneakers and a black sweat suit. “You look good,” said catcher Jason Castro, a sentiment echoed by teammates between hugs and handshakes with the 25-year-old slugger. A slimmer Sano is a promising sign […]

TWINS

Twins manager’s era begins with efficient new workout format

February 14, 2019 Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The first noticeable change for the Minnesota Twins under new manager Rocco Baldelli came on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. There was simply less standing around between drills by the players on the field. “The goal is to have it individualized for the guys so they […]

BADGERS

No. 19 Wisconsin holds off Minnesota 56-51; 6th win in a row

February 6, 2019 Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ethan Happ and the Wisconsin Badgers brought momentum with them on this trip to Minnesota — and a bad memory, too. That month-ago loss to the Gophers was avenged with another vintage defensive effort. Happ had 15 points and 13 rebounds to help No. 19 Wisconsin hang on to beat Minnesota 56-51 […]

NBA

Lynx star Maya Moore to skip ’19 WNBA season

February 5, 2019 Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore has decided to skip the upcoming WNBA season, seeking more time to devote to her family and her faith. Moore announced Tuesday on The Players’ Tribune website that she’ll sit out in 2019. She already had taken the fall and winter off from international competition. The five-time […]

TWINS

Twins’ Buxton turns frustration into motivation and muscle

January 27, 2019 Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Byron Buxton hasn’t forgotten his extended, unexpected stay in the minor leagues last summer. The inconsistent Twins center fielder is eager to show the experience made him stronger. After an offseason in the weight room, one look is about all it takes. “People tell you to take that frustration as fuel,” Buxton […]

NFL

Build it and the Super Bowl will come

January 22, 2019 Associated Press

Build it and the Super Bowl will come. While that’s not exactly how the sites of the NFL’s championship extravaganza are determined, it sure doesn’t hurt to have a brand new, billion-dollar facility in your city. Including the 2004 game in Houston, the league will have staged nine Super Bowls in metropolitan areas with new […]

COLLEGE

WATCH: Matthews beats buzzer, No. 5 Michigan edges Minnesota 59-57

January 22, 2019 Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The ball bounced right to Charles Matthews, who dribbled once and squared up to shoot as the game clock — and more importantly, the shot clock — neared zero. “I saw the clock when I did get the ball. I’m not sure exactly how much time, but I did know […]