JOTTINGS

• Among the many benefits to the Vikings getting a first-round bye is that it gives a chance for Kyle Rudolph to get fully healthy. Over the past four games, the tight end played in 50.4 percent of the offensive snaps per game, compared to 86.1 percent of snaps earlier this season.

• Peter King and his Monday Morning Quarterback staff at Sports Illustrated predicted the playoffs and 10 out of 11 writers had the Vikings making the Super Bowl. Four picked them to win it, including King.

• The Timberwolves recorded their 24th victory on Jan. 1. Last year they did it on Feb. 27.

• ESPN reported this past week that former Wolves guard Zach LaVine is getting closer to making his debut for the Bulls and has been practicing with the team and its G-League affiliate. Lavine tore his ACL last year with the Wolves in February.

• The Twins making the playoffs last year didn't make a big impact on Las Vegas oddsmakers, who put their odds to win the World Series at 75-1, tied for 20th in baseball.

• Edina's Kieffer Bellows, the son of former North Stars standout Brian Bellows, led all players at the World Junior Championship with nine goals. Bellows, who is controlled by the New York Islanders, also has 40 points in 31 games with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League.

• Jalen Suggs is starting as a sophomore for Minnehaha Academy and is averaging a team high 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the country for 2020 by ESPN.

• You have to wonder if former Gophers coach Tubby Smith is regretting his decision to leave Texas Tech for Memphis after leading the Red Raiders to the NCAA tournament in 2016. Texas Tech entered Saturday 12-1 and ranked No. 18 in the country and beat Kansas in Lawrence this past week. Memphis entered Saturday 9-6 and recently lost 82-48 to No. 21 Cincinnati.