SID's JOTTINGS

• USA Today recently ran a list predicting the 50 best college basketball players for the upcoming season. At No. 44 on the list was former Cooper standout Rashad Vaughn, who will play at UNLV. USA Today wrote: "At 6-foot-5, he's been compared to Bradley Beal. One of the best scorers in high school last year, he had offers from Kentucky and Kansas." At No. 7 on the list was former Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones, who will play at Duke: "Arguably the best point guard in high school basketball last year," went the report. "He's drawn some comparisons to former Michigan star Trey Burke."

• You have to give Twins minor league manager Gene Glynn credit, as he has completely turned around the fortunes of the Class AAA Rochester club. The Red Wings posted a 54-46 record through 100 games this season, their best total at that point since they went 57-43 in 2006. It is the third year in a row that Glynn's squad has posted an above .500 record through 100 games. In the four years before he got there (2008-11), the Red Wings were a combined 62 games under .500 through the first 100 games of their respective seasons.

• Over his past five starts at Rochester, Twins top pitching prospect Alex Meyer has posted a 1.50 ERA over 30 innings with 32 strikeouts compared to just 18 hits and 13 walks.

• The word from sources in Grand Rapids is that forward Alex Illikainen, one of the best basketball recruits from the Class of 2015, has said he is thinking he will be a Gopher.

• Former Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett opted into his contract with the Brooklyn Nets for next season, which will be his 20th in the NBA. Garnett will become only the fourth player to have played 20 seasons, joining Robert Parish, Kevin Willis and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.