Sid Hartman: Fan cheers might tip Saunders to Gophers

You want a prediction?

Some day, when Flip Saunders decides to leave the NBA and coach the Gophers, one of the many reasons will be the great reception he received Sunday, when the 25th anniversary of the 1982 Big Ten championship team was celebrated. Part of that celebration was the introduction of the team on the floor during a timeout of the Ohio State-Gophers game. Saunders, who played at Minnesota, was also an assistant coach for the team.

When he walked off that floor to the tune of a big cheer after he had been introduced, I'm positive he was thinking of his big dream to one day coach the Gophers.

Topping off the day was the student body standing up and screaming: "We want Flip. We want Flip."

Rest assured, Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi took note of that reaction to Saunders, and there is no doubt that he is his No. 1 candidate. And for sure, they have talked.

University President Robert Bruininks also has made it clear that Saunders is the top candidate for the job.

Saunders faces a difficult decision on whether to leave the Pistons for the Gophers.

I have known this young man for more than 30 years, from the first day he walked onto the Williams Arena floor. I know he loves this university and bleeds maroon and gold.

I can't see him turning down the chance to have the job he has dreamed about all of his adult life, despite the difference in pay.

Former university athletic director Mark Dienhart recalled how hard he tried to convince Saunders to take the Gophers job before Dan Monson was hired.

"I spent a lot of time with Flip both here and at his cabin trying to convince him to take the Gopher job," Dienhart said. "He was interested, but we just didn't have the money to pay him at that time."

Saunders can't comment about the job, but he did say: "I'm a coach, and as I've always said to people, at some point I see myself ending my career as a high school coach or as a small college coach or as a college coach somewhere. As far as working with kids at some point down the road, that will happen."

There is another great candidate out there in one Robert Montgomery Knight. He would sell out Williams Arena in 24 hours. Like Saunders, he would be a great choice, but I don't believe it will happen. The Gophers could at least talk to Knight and find out whether he is interested and learn who the real Bobby Knight is -- and not how some in the media portray him.

But if Saunders wants the Gophers job, it's his.

Wolves have a chance

Does Saunders believe the Timberwolves have a chance to make the playoffs?

"The problem is that the West is so competitive and that you've got to climb over a few teams in order to get to that eighth spot," he said. "Then, when you get there, you're probably going to face Dallas or Phoenix."

Randy Wittman, the new Wolves coach, served as an assistant under Saunders.

"I think Randy does a good job. He's a good communicator and he's a very good X-and-O guy, so the Wolves are going to have a good opportunity these next 30 games," Saunders said.

"But the players have to buy into the system, and I think it's always tough in midstream to change what you're trying to do. The biggest asset he has is Kevin Garnett, who always has allegiance to whoever the coach is and is probably one of the greatest team players you could ever ask to coach, or to play with.

"He continues to get better and better," Saunders added. "I don't think people really understand the professionalism that Kevin has and the respect he has for the game -- both now and the respect he has for the people and the players that have played previous to him."

Saunders also has tremendous respect for the job coach Jim Molinari is doing with the Gophers. In my opinion, if Saunders took the job, Molinari would remain on the staff.

Help for Target Center

State Sen. Linda Higgins, a Minneapolis DFLer, will introduce a bill today that appropriates money to Minneapolis to pay the principal for the city's bonds on Target Center. According to Higgins, several Minneapolis and St. Paul lawmakers have been discussing what to do with the financial problems facing arenas and convention centers in the two cities.

On the snag over the sale of the land for the new Twins ballpark near Target Center, Higgins also replied to the headline on Sunday's column: "By the way, we aren't just 'Fiddling while Rome burns,' as you suggest. We just do a lot of talking in nonpublic ways and spaces."

Someone suggested to Higgins that the Target Center be demolished for the Twins stadium, with the Wolves moving to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. She doesn't buy that plan.

Jottings

According to Fred Hoiberg, assistant general manager for the Wolves, it's not definite that the career of suspended forward Eddie Griffin is completely over with the club. Griffin has been working out with the Wolves to find out if he can contribute, or if a trade can be worked out while lawyers talk about a contract settlement.

Alex Daniels, the Gophers football player who was hailed as the new Marion Barber III early last season and then was moved to defensive end, has decided not to transfer and will be out for spring football. ... Former Gophers basketball player Rick Rickert scored 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds playing for the West in the NBA Development League All-Star Game on Saturday in Las Vegas, won 114-100 by the East. Rickert was named an All-Star replacement for Louis Amundson, his Colorado 14ers teammate who signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz on Feb. 5. Rickert recently was named D-League player of the week after averaging 28.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the 14ers, who play in Broomfield, Colo. ... Starting for the East in the D-League All-Star Game were Alan Anderson, the former DeLaSalle and Michigan State player, who had 10 points and five rebounds, and Loren Woods, the ex-Wolves center who had six points and eight rebounds.

Isaiah Dahlman, the Michigan State freshman guard from Braham, returned to the floor for the Spartans in their 81-49 victory over Iowa on Saturday. Dahlman, who had missed seven games because of a foot injury, played 13 minutes but did not score. On the season, he has averaged 4.7 points and 19.2 minutes in 19 games, including eight starts.

Ex-Gopher Michael Bauer has moved around in the European League and now is with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners of the German Basketball League.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on Podcast twice a week at www.startribune.com/sidcast. shartman@startribune.com