Nikola Pekovic stakes claim to starting job as Wolves put away Nets Updated: 2 hours ago Rick Adelman isn't the type of coach to make a change to the starting lineup for the sake of making a change, but Nikola Pekovic may have finally forced his hand after the Timberwolves' 108-105 win over the New Jersey Nets on Friday. [Full Story]

Rick Adelman fired up as Wolves win again on the road Updated: 7 hours ago

Wolfson: Look at 2008 'U' class confirms signing day is one big maybe Updated: 10 hours ago Ex-Gophers coach Tim Brewster's best work in recruiting was his 2008 class, including headliners MarQueis Gray and Sam Maresh. As Darren "Doogie" Wolfson writes, those players' divergent paths at the "U" confirms National Signing Day is one big maybe [Full Story]

2011 Vikings Review: Only Jared Allen, line earn high marks on defense Updated: 13 hours ago The Vikings finished this past season 21st in total defense -- down from No. 8 in 2010 and their lowest ranking since they had the same ranking in 2005. As Tom Pelissero writes, it's no surprise the bright spot was a defensive line that had three [Full Story]

Wild acquire Erik Christensen, pick from Rangers for Casey Wellman Updated: 16 hours ago The slumping Minnesota Wild swung a deal for a veteran on Friday, acquiring center Erik Christensen and a conditional draft pick from the New York Rangers for forward Casey Wellman. [Full Story]

Christian Ponder looks back on 2011 season Updated: 17 hours ago Vikings QB Christian Ponder joined Mike & Mike live at the Super Bowl to talk about his rookie year in 2011 and his expectations for next year with the Vikings. [Click to listen]

Defense dominates in Denver as Niklas Backstrom, Wild blank Avalanche Updated: 1 day ago First-year Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo is still establishing his identity, but on this night he was fine borrowing from the Jacques Lemaire playbook, Jess Myers writes. One goal and lots of defense did it as the Wild beat the Avalanche in Denver. [Full Story]

Gophers women rally but come up short in loss to struggling Illinois Updated: 1 day ago Four days after a shocking upset over ninth-ranked Ohio State, the Gophers women's basketball team couldn't carry over the momentum, falling 76-67 on Thursday night to an Illinois team that had lost 12 straight Big Ten Conference home games. [Full Story]

Wessel: With Michael Beasley at another crossroads, it's sulk or swim Updated: 1 day ago Michael Beasley is at a crossroads. That statement shouldn't come as a shock about the Timberwolves' enigmatic scorer. As Dana Wessel writes, the only difference between now and when the Miami Heat dumped him is Beasley no longer has time on his side [Full Story]

Zulgad: President has chance to make big impact on major sports at 'U' Updated: 1 day ago University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler will get an opportunity to hire his own athletic director now that Joel Maturi is retiring. As Judd Zulgad writes, Kaler would be best served to hire someone whose primary focus is the football program. [Full Story]

Gloves drop again and again as Wild, Avalanche duel in Denver Updated: 1 day ago

University president agrees time is right for AD Joel Maturi to retire Updated: 1 day ago An emotional Joel Maturi joined University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler at a press conference Thursday to announce Maturi would be stepping down as the Gophers AD when his contract expires June 30. Maturi, however, will remain at the university. [Full Story]

Terry Porter says Wolvse have to do better job finishing from the start Updated: 1 day ago Timberwolves' assistant coach Terry Porter joins Judd & Phunn to talk about the Wolves' loss to the Indiana Pacers, getting healthy and maintaining mental toughness throughout this 66 game schedule. [Click to listen]

'U' confirms Joel Maturi's ouster as AD, says decision was mutual Updated: 1 day ago Joel Maturi's decade-long run as University of Minnesota athletic director appears to be over. Sources told 5 Eyewitness News on Thursday morning the "U" has decided not to renew Maturi's contract and planned to announce the news at an 11 a.m. media [Full Story]

Myers: Come summer the Wild should consider a deal with the Devils Updated: 2 days ago It's not in Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher's nature to make a hasty move at the trade deadline, even if there was a really big prize out there, Jess Myers writes. Instead, summertime will be when Fletcher should make a play for Zach Parise. [Full Story]

Missed chances prove costly as Gophers fall apart in loss to Iowa Updated: 2 days ago The Gophers let a 10-point second half lead disintegrate down the stretch as they succumbed to a late Iowa rally Wednesday night in Iowa City, suffering a disheartening 63-59 defeat -- their first loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 2007. [Full Story]

Kevin Love fired up after incident in loss: 'I don't like the Pacers' Updated: 2 days ago Kevin Love made his feelings for the Indiana Pacers clear after nearly coming to blows with Danny Granger during the Timberwolves' 109-99 loss on Wednesday night at Target Center. "I've said all along," Love said, "I don't like the Pacers." [Full Story]

Mackey: Bad year gets worse for Nishioka, but Twins offer clean slate Updated: 2 days ago It's pretty safe to say Minnesota Twins infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka will never experience a 12-month period quite like the one he had in 2011. But as Phil Mackey points out, the Twins are willing to wipe the slate clean in 2012. [Full Story]

Notebook: Jerry Kill hoping recruits can fill some of Gophers' needs Updated: 2 days ago Coach Jerry Kill's first full recruiting class at the University of Minnesota became official Wednesday on national signing day. Kill admitted he had to try to fill positional needs. The Gophers added eight defensive backs and six defensive linemen. [Full Story]

Few questions about Twins roster -- if everyone is healthy Updated: 2 days ago Tom Pelissero and Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities discuss their impressions from TwinsFest and few remaining questions about the Minnesota Twins' roster two weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers. Full Twins coverage is at 1500ESPN.com [Watch Video]