Do we have to call it a blog?

Sounds like an unsavory bodily function.

Let's call it a SORT. Series of Random Thoughts.

It would be easy to criticize the University of Minnesota for having various high-profile athletes arrested. I'm sure I'll throw a few one-liners out about the subject.

Here's my broader and probably unpopular view of the subject:

Joel Maturi hired Tubby Smith (even though it was probably the other way around) to increase the visibility of the basketball program. One of Smith's perceived strengths, despite the criticism he received at Kentucky for failing to deliver blue-chip recruits, was his ability to bring in nationally-acclaimed players from all over the country.

Last year, he had the opportunity to sign the most talented player in the state, and one of the most talented players in the country, in the problematic Royce White. Should he have really turned White down, and let the top Minnesota recruit sign elsewhere? I've had friends argue that he would have made a statement about the purity of his program, and might have attracted the right kind of people to his program, had he done so, but I think that's unrealistic.

He almost had to take the chance on recruiting White, knowing White could be a pain in the butt.

Maturi hired Tim Brewster almost solely on the basis of his recruiting skills. The reason to fire Glen Mason and hire someone like Brewster was to improve the talent level in the football program.

Now, I'm not sure Brewster has done that, but anyone who thought that Brewster was going to recruit better athletes to Minnesota without taking a few chances was naive.

I'm not saying I like seeing U of M athletes on the police blotter. I will say I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often to 18-year-old kids away from home and feeling like Greek Gods around campus. I'll also say that I don't know what else anyone would have expected when Maturi hires a nationally renowned basketball coach and a football coach who was a pure recruiter.

You could have hoped for a better caliber of student-athlete, but I'm not sure you should have expected a better caliber of student-athlete.

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Later today I'm taping the latest Unsportsmanlike Comment with Patrick Reusse. Our on-field demonstrations have been a big hit. We've already done MMA, water polo and field hockey. The video will be on display at startribune.com in the next couple of days.

Tonight I'm headed to the Wolves-Celtics game, and I'll write a post or two from there. I'm tempted to stay home so I can see the World Series, but I'm strangely fascinated by the Wolves as a franchise. I'm not sure why. I guess I figure they are bound to stumble upon a stretch of luck or competence that will make them relevant again. Or maybe I'm just sadistic.

As always, you can follow me at SouhanStrib on twitter. I'll be on with Reusse at 6:40 on am-1500 Thursday and Friday morning, and I'm hosting Sunday Sports Talk from 10-noon on Sunday.

Also, I want this blog, this post, this SORT to be diverse and fun. So if my readers ever want to contribute something funny, off-beat, intriguing or insightful about sports, pop culture, music or life in general, email me at jsouhan@startribune.com, and I will consider posting it.

Stay classy, San Diego.

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