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Andre Hollins brings the ball up court against Michigan State's Keith Appling. Richard Sennott / StarTribune.com

Readers' response to the No. 9-ranked Gophers' 13-point victory over No. 18 Michigan State in the Big Ten opener for both teams Monday afternoon at Williams Arena:

Scott Nagy, South Dakota State men's basketball head coach – “It doesn't surprise me at all what the Gophers did to Michigan State. Minnesota has one of the best teams we have ever played since I've been at SDSU. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them contend for the Big 10 title.”

Ron Jirsa, Gophers men's basketball assistant coach – “After the game Coach (Tubby) Smith emphasized to the team that we did the fundamental things that you need to do to win. He pointed out that we did a good job of executing on both offense and defense at key times and that he was expecting the team to continue with that as we move forward in the Big Ten season.”

Dave Thorson, DeLaSalle boy's basketball head coach – “The biggest factor in the Gopher win on Monday, and their season thus far, has been their ability to offensive rebound after a miss. Their percentage of getting second chances has been near 50%, which is a high rate. They will be tough to defeat if they keep that percentage as high going into the Big Ten season.”

Sen. Terri Bonoff – “Very proud of our Gophers! What a great start to the Big Ten season.”

Pam Borton, Gophers women's basketball head coach: "Great win for our men vs. MSU! Great start to the Big Ten season, protecting home court and the fans at the game were definitely the 6th player. This team is very focused and a tight knit group. I can see why Tubby likes this group... nice group of guys off the floor also."

Fred Friedman, longtime chief public defender of Minnesota’s Sixth District (northeastern Minnesota) and University of Minnesota Duluth associate professor – “First clutch, early-conference win in years. Let's see how they play on the road and how their health holds up before we enrich the scalpers.”

Gophers women's hockey head coach Brad Frost – “Great win for the Gophers over Michigan State. The barn was rockin' – which was wonderful to see.”

Ness

Don Ness, mayor of Duluth and a former, standout shooting guard at Duluth Central – “It’s been a frustrating decade to be a Big Ten basketball fan, but this year is shaping up to be one of the best ever. I think it’s going to rival some of the great Big Ten seasons of the 90s. Of course, it’s especially exciting to see the Gophers in the mix and I think they’ll be in contention the entire conference schedule. In a normal year, I’d probably predict a conference championship, but the league is just too deep to have that sort of confidence. I like the Gophers balance, the fact they have 5-6 guys who can carry a team for a time. Maybe most important for the Big 10 schedule, this is a high energy, hard-nosed team. We haven’t had that sort of make-up and inside-outside balance since the '97 team. It’s going to be exciting.”

Frank Yetka, attorney and former, high-leaping Cloquet Lumberjacks power forward: “The Gophers are solid and deep. For the first time in four years, they were able to match up physically with Michigan State and given our depth inside we wore them down at the end when their two big guys Payne and Nicks finally picked up crucial fouls. We still are somewhat suspect at guard in protecting the ball. We still had too many turnovers. But the pure athletic ability and depth on this team is something. Williams, Welch, Coleman – are all launching pads. Mbakwe finally gives us a presence inside that will be important in the Big Ten to go without jumpers. Tubby coached a heck of a game, didn't panic and stayed with the rotation and wore down a great Michigan State team. Indiana will have trouble with us. The teams that we are vulnerable to are those that can shoot from the outside and have great penetrating guards, because we do not have a shut down defender in the front court.”

Miller

Terry Miller, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City boys basketball head coach -- “Was at the game. Execution and poise down the stretch was the key. It was only one game, but it gave me hope. The defense was very good in stretches, but will have to be better from the foul line to win the big ones.”

Jon Donahue, of The Average Guys – “Whatever Tubby is selling, the team is buying it. They're playing like the team I was hoping for when Tubby arrived.”

Chad Ostermann, Maple River boy's basketball head coach – "It is a great way for the Gophers to start the Big Ten season. They went through some adversity in the second half and fought through it against a physically tough top-20 Michigan State team. I think they showed the whole nation that they are going to be in the thick of things in the Big Ten."

Mike Aro, Eveleth-Gilbert boy's basketball head coach – “Great to see the Gophers come out with the nice victory over Michigan State, played before a packed 'Barn' on Monday. (Trevor) Mbwake, (Rodney) Williams, and (Andre) Hollins led the total team effort that shows why Minnesota is, in my mind, in for a great year. Go Gophers!”

David Flom, Eden Prairie boy's basketball head coach – “The Gophers appear to have the level of toughness, both mentally and physically, to fight for a Big Ten Championship. It's rare that a team can out-tough Michigan St, but they did that yesterday.”

Sen. David Senjem – “The Gophers are an exciting team with great talent. Defeating Michigan State proves to the team and the fans they are real. Defense and chemistry will determine how far they go.”

Rich Newman, Barnum boy's basketball head coach – “Great win against a very respected program. Great defense at the end of the game. A athletic team that is fun to watch. Happy for Tubby.”

Ryan Hauge, St. Francis boy's basketball head coach – “I thought that other than a stretch at the end of first half we outplayed them the entire game. Our athleticism is impressive and the key was consistently getting stops down the stretch. I think we have some areas to improve at in our offensive execution, but if we can do that our depth should really help us come tournament time and this team could make a deep run.”

Kirk Johnson, Rochester John Marshall boy's basketball head coach – "I love watching the Gophers play this year. They just seem far more athletic than they have been in the past years. It is great to see some of these players really step up. Wow, has Andre Hollins improved from a year ago."

Sen. Paul Gazelka – “The Gophers men's basketball team is the real deal!”

Minnesota's Tom Serratore (14) checked BC's Colin Sullivan into the boards in the first period of the Gophers' 8-1 rout. Marlin Levison / StarTribune.com

QUOTE CITY

Coach Don Lucia on the recent play of his top-ranked Gophers (13-3-3), who pounded Air Force 4-0 and Boston College 8-1 in the Mariucci Classic: “Our goal was to win our Christmas tournament, and I am extremely happy with how we played in defeating Air Force and Boston College. It was a great way to begin the second half of the season and improve to 7-0 non-conference.”

On July 24-30, Visit Duluth will be raising the bar even higher with its biggest tall ships event ever.

Duluth’s official convention and visitor’s bureau is in the final stages of contract negotiations with 11 different historic vessels as part of Tall Ships Duluth 2013, Visit Duluth President/CEO Terry Mattson said today.

A year of planning and negotiations have already gone into the iconic event.

“We are working with only a handful of other port communities across the Great Lakes along with Tall Ships America and Draw Events for a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Mattson.

There will be a Parade of Sail as part of the festival and ships will dock along the waterfront, Bayfront Festival Park and Harbor Drive. With onboard tours, rides and expanded hours for dockside tours, it’s a full week of majestic ships from a far off time and place.

In 2010, Visit Duluth brought in nine ships while attracting 250,000 people from 42 states and three provinces to Duluth’s gorgeous waterfront.

“The wave of the most successful event in our region’s history resonates today,” Mattson said. “We encourage everyone to come on board with the celebration — the grandest ever as the farthest inland and only Lake Superior port featuring the Tall Ships Challenge. It’s a voyage into an epic past with ships from around the world. Other activities include reenactments, maritime themed vendors, foods, crafts, artisans, educational programs and a variety of entertainment including musicians and bands.”

The tall ships are a major event for Duluth, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon said.

“The idyllic sight of those elegant sails floating above the boats skimming the water in the Duluth harbor attracts admirers from near and far,” said Prettner Solon, a native of Duluth. “It evokes sea lore memories of pirates and damsels in distress on warm summer eves and stirs nostalgia for nearly forgotten memories of romantic walks on long sandy beaches dreaming of possibilities. It awakens the childhood and vivid imagination for everyone wanting to recapture that sense of adventure. And Duluth businesses are ready to cater to the visitors every need to assure the experience is an enjoyable lasting one.”

Tickets will go on sale early in 2013.

For ship tours, day sails, news and contests, tall ship fans can stay current with the latest information at VisitDuluth.com.

Lakeview Christian Academy senior Anders Broman is only seven points shy of breaking the Minnesota high school boys basketball career scoring record held by Minnesota Transitions' Kevin Noreen.

Broman, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard who has 4,080 career points, will break the record Thursday night against Mesabi East in Hibbing.

"I never really focused on the mark,” said Broman, a South Dakota State recruit who averaged 42 points as a junior and over 40 a game this season. “I just try to get better every game. My coaches and parents have helped me to not even think about it. I just want our team to win and hopefully make it back to state.”

Minnesota Boys Basketball Career Scoring Leaders

Player: Year, School, Points

Kevin Noreen: 2010, Minn. Transitions, 4,086

Anders Broman: 2013, LCA, 4,080

Cody Schilling: 2008, Ellsworth, 3,428

Isaiah Dahlman: 2006, Braham, 3,366

Tyler Vaughan: 2012, Braham, 3,340

Joel McDonald: 1991, Chisholm, 3,292

Cole Olstad, 2011, Plainview-EM, 3,055

Jake Sullivan: 2000, Tartan, 3,013

Cory Johnson: 2006, Duluth East, 2,960

Kyle Noreen: 2011, Minn. Transitions, 2,866

Norm Grow: 1958, Foley, 2,852

Mitch Ohnstad: 1996, Faribault, 2,805

Grant Gunhus: 2005, Park Christian, 2,681

Martin Wind: 2010, Cass Lake-Bena, 2,622

Jordan Smith: 2011, Orono, 2,574

Dyami Starks: 2010, Duluth East, 2,526

Zach Towle: 2009, Concordia Acad., 2,519

Tony Kuplic: 2012, Trinity, 2,509

– Source: DuluthNewsTribune.com

Photos: Ship, Visit Duluth. Broman, Howie

Terry Mattson

A monthly column by Terry Mattson, Visit Duluth's President/CEO, which first appeared in Forum Communications' Duluth Budgeteer News weekly: 

In the coming weeks a fast growing number of us will be working closely with elected officials, constituents, suppliers, employees and partners positively putting forth a proposal important to our state's future. This is an opportunity to dramatically grow travel and tourism.

You see, Minnesota needs to step up and diversify its source of promotional funding in order to attract more out-of-state visitors. In fact, we need to reform how Minnesota funds tourism marketing to stay competitive. Tourism is fueled by promotion. Advertising requires investment. Minnesota is being significantly outspent by its competitors.

The Minnesota tourism budget ranks 30th in the nation and is at its 1990 dollar level. Nearby competitors, such as Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois, Michigan and Montana invest far more. We are losing the ability to even retain resident travel, let alone increase travel from other states and countries.

Tourism makes vast contributions to our quality of life. Hospitality generates $730 million in annual sales taxes collected on $11 billion of sales. Statewide, we employ 240,000 people (11% of private sector employment) from entry-level positions to high level managers and business owners. Tourism is documented as one of the better ways for generating employment and also rewards government with more tax revenue per dollars spent by consumers than other industries.

We can do even better for the residents of Minnesota!

The proposal pivots on a car-rental tax, established for the tourism industry hosting the Super Bowl. Afterwards revenues quietly then slipped into the general fund. If advertising were fueled by the 6.2% motor vehicle rental tax, the state's tourism investment would be $15 million. The current tourism budget of $8 million comes from the general fund.

The new performance-based plan makes perfect sense: visitors are paying to attract even more visitors. While not up to Michigan's $27 million, it would be competitive considering the average tourism office budget is $14 million.

There are many strong proponents of updating the antiquated model. Visit Duluth is in full support. Consider that based on a Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) study, the additional $7 million in advertising would generate more than a three-to-one return on investment through an estimated $24 million in new state and local taxes, $107 million in wages, 3,600 new jobs and $276 million in gross sales.

The new revenue from our guests would generate a significant return. It means more money for education, health care, natural resources, social services, transportation and more. There are very few ways government can generate revenues and jobs-tourism does both. It opens doors for all economic sectors. It portrays Minnesota as a good place to live, do business and play.

Marketing is an investment -- not a cost to taxpayers. Let's get the drum beat going!

-- Published with permission of Duluth Budgeteer News, Visit Duluth

A must-read blog by former Duluth and Superior mayor Herb Bergson:

"I first met Jon Donahue up in a Piedmont neighborhood. I was all alone putting up yard signs while I was running for mayor in the late summer of 2003. I had a request to put up a sign next door to him. I had no idea who Jon Donahue was at the time.

While I was putting up the yard sign next door, Jon Donahue stormed out of his front door and yelled, 'Hey, you can’t put that there!' I assumed I had the wrong address and asked him why not. He said, 'Because that sign needs to be in my yard.' I happened to have extra signs in the trunk of the car, so he got one also. That day started a wonderful friendship.Jon Donahue is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He cared for his wife Lisa while she battled cancer a few years ago (the experts said she would not make it, but she beat it) and they have three gorgeous children who worship the ground their parents walk on." Read more.

Photo: The Donahue family. Jon's Facebook page.

MN Hockey Hub managing editor Loren Nelson on Minnesota high school boys hockey teams and players to watch in 2012-13:

Top Teams

Class 2A -- Clear division of top three and then mass of 10 to 15 teams in the everyone else category:

1. Benilde-St. Margaret's
2. Edina
3. Eden Prairie
4-15. Everyone else 

Best of everyone else category most likely will include Duluth East and Minnetonka. Eagan could be surprisingly good this year. Watch out for Andover!

Class 1A -- Clear division of one team, and one team only, and everyone else.

1. St. Thomas Academy

Best competition for STA might very well come from the same section in Totino-Grace. Breck should also be good again, as usual. Look for St. Cloud Cathedral to give Hermantown all it can handle in what should be a highly competitive section.

Top Players

Forwards -- Connor Hurley of Edina, Shane Gersich of Holy Family Catholic and Grant Besse of Benilde-St. Margaret's are your must-see forwards. Incredible talent among those three. NHL scouts are drooling over Hurley and Gersich. Besse doesn't have the size of those two, but is one of the best pure goal scorers to come through the state in a while.

Defensemen -- A bunch of teams have great one-two combos on D:

Edina: Parker Reno and Matt Nelson

Minnetonka: Tommy Vannelli and Jimmy Schuldt

Hermantown: Neal Pionk and Jake Zeleznikar

Goaltenders -- Chase Perry of Andover is as good as it gets. The junior has to be considered the best goaltender in the state.

St. Thomas Academy's David Zevnik has "two-time state champ" on his resume. Hunter Shepard of Grand Rapids is rock solid.

. . .

MN Hockey Hub managing editor Loren Nelson played high school and college hockey in Minnesota and has been a sports journalist for more than 20 years.

He has worked at news organizations in southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida and California. Nelson has won numerous local, state and national awards for his column, enterprise and feature writing on topics ranging from pee wees to the pros, including Stanley Cup runs by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Anaheim Ducks.

A sports editor for much of his career, Nelson has overseen departments that consistently have produced sections that rank among the best in the nation as judged by the Associated Press Sports Editors. -- MN Hockey Hub bio

Many of the world’s top professional snowmobile racers — including Minnesota’s Tucker Hibbert of Pelican Rapids, Robbie Malinoski of Lino Lakes and Duluth’s Bobby “The Rage” LePage — will compete in the Duluth National Snocross on Nov. 23-25 at Spirit Mountain. A crowd of over 30,000 is expected to watch the world’s best snowmobile racers flying their factory-backed sleds. Read more.

Snocross pix / Visit Duluth