Dr. Brackets Is Back To Guide You To Office Pool Victory

Courtesy of Gold And Gopher.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! March Madness springs anew on Thursday morning, and Dr. Bruff is back again with 10 hot tips, tricks, and fun facts to help you vault over those jerks in your office bracket pool (FEEL THE HOT STEEL OF MY STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATA, DARREN FROM SALES).

I must lead with the disclaimer that I am not an actual doctor. I have friends who are doctors, but that in itself does not make one a doctor. In truth, I’m as much a doctor as Dr. Drake Ramoray from Days of Our Lives, or that guy that stayed at a Holiday Inn Express that one time.

If You Don't Have Any Pitchers, Do Just The Catchers Report? Your 2017 "Feelin' It in Fort Myers!" Twins Season Preview

Joe and Justin stop being polite and start getting real. Courtesy of SI.

Oh, how I long for the days of Johan for eight innings and Joe Nathan flappin’ his gums and slammin’ the door. How I pine for another year with Francisco Liriano’s garbage-pail filthy slider. Really, how I would tolerate a season of Brad Radke, Rick Reed, and Sweatin’ Out the Ninth with Everyday Eddie.

For someone who purports to be a keen Minnesota sports observer, I am grossly unqualified to write a Minnesota Twins preview this year. I can name three pitchers on the current team: Ervin Santana, Trevor May, and I Think We Still Have Glen Perkins. Is Ricky Nolasco still cashing checks that feature the Twins watermark? (Yes, but he won’t be pitching for us; the Twins will pay $4m of his salary while he blows chunks for the Angels.) Is Carl Pavano and his patented “Pav ‘Stache” still in the league? (Huh? No.) How about “Fireball Phil” Hughes, is he still in the rotation? (Yes.) Do we have a bullpen? (The physical structure? Yes. Pitchers to fill the structure? Debatable.)

Wild and Children First, or, Maybe Gonna Give You Up, or, I’m Gettin’ Too Old for This: The Ethics and Adjudication of Taking a Break from One Team to Get Closer to Another

Courtesy of Forbes.

I’ve been hung up on this piece for the last six weeks, mostly because I couldn’t settle on a title. That’s why there’s three of them.

And then the always entertaining Michael Rand kicked me into high gear by posting an article at the Star Tribune Tuesday investigating whether Minnesota sports fans can believe that this year’s Wild won’t let folks down by going on one of their long winter skids that have derailed each of their last 3 seasons. The article’s headline: “Is it safe to go ‘all in’ on the Wild? Yes and no.” Don’t be wishy-washy, Michael—they’re a Minnesota sports team. The answer is no.

A Legend in Limbo: The Curious Case of Kevin Garnett and His 22nd Season

Courtesy of USA TODAY Sports.

Dr. J continues his look at the changing attitudes and the changing of the guard at 600 North 1st Avenue by reflecting on roller-coaster relationship between Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves, and ruminating on the future for "The Franchise" within the franchise.
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On May 20, Tom Thibodeau made his first moves as the new President of Basketball Operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He fired nine people. Among the departed were former general manager Milt Newton and assistant coach Sidney Lowe.

The news of a mass exodus from the organization may seem like a harsh way to start business but it is exactly what Thibodeau was hired to do: clean out the country club atmosphere that has stifled the organization’s progress and bring in a more respectable, higher functioning front office staff.

And while many employees’ jobs are still up in the air, no fate is more intriguing than that of franchise icon Kevin Garnett.

What'd I Miss? A Stanley Cup Finals Primer for Those Who Have Missed Anywhere Between The Last One Day To The Last Thirty Years of NHL Action

Sidney Crosby smiles at a grizzly bear named Brent. Courtesy of Zimbio.

In this edition of MN Sports Emporium, Dr. J—a former college netminder—talks to himself about the NHL playoffs. Let’s listen in. CAUTION: If you keep reading, you will learn about physics, and it will be fun and interesting and you won't fall asleep.

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So Dr. J, why should I be watching the NHL playoffs? Isn’t hockey less popular than NASCAR?

Well, if you are going by the 2014 Harris Poll of favorite American sports, then yes, hockey (6% of poll) is below NASCAR (7%). Just for reference, the NBA is also at 6%. The NFL still has a stranglehold on this poll, as it is the favorite sport of 32% of the American population. Doesn’t mean any of the sports mentioned here aren’t exciting.

Drive fast, turn left!

Yeah something like that. Anyway, how about we talk some ice hockey?

I mean, if we have to…

We have to. This is Minnesota.

Crazy Like a Wolf: The Recent Competency of Glen Taylor

Courtesy of TCBMag.com

Ed.: This article's author, Dr. J, is an esteemed and respected member of several online Minnesota sports communities. The Timberwolves' recent front-office moves inspired this friend and colleague to jolt this hibernating community back to life. Welcome to the 2 1/2th renaissance of MSE, and thanks, Dr. J, for this thought-provoking piece.

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Glen Taylor is not a “basketball guy”. He likely wouldn’t be able to dissect his players’ pick-and-roll defense or tell you the intricacies of a motion offense. Hell, I don’t even know if he has ever played an organized sport. But one thing the current Timberwolves owner has always been is a businessman. And the recent moves made to his basketball operations staff this offseason only add to his business savvy. Pairing a young, talented roster with an equally talented coach and front office has the potential to make Glen Taylor richer. How much richer? How about hundreds of millions of dollars richer?

Actual Things You Might Want To Know About Tonight's Top 21 Draft Prospects

Editor's Note: Tony D put this together. These 21 players are projected to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Rankings are based SOLELY on video highlights from YouTube. This is not a “big board” or mock draft, it is simply a list of player rankings and ratings based on their highlight films. Player position, off the field issues, and potential are not directly taken into account here. 

Take these to your draft party tonight and sprinkle in whatever ones Todd McShay or Mel Kiper don't say when these guys get drafted. Or just be smart and watch the NFL Network's coverage. Enjoy. 

Leonard Williams, DT, USC                                                                        

Video Grade:  9.5
Positives:  First of four guys that really surprised me on film. Very disruptive. He tackles everything that moves. Can make plays all over the line. Explosive. Mean Streak. He’s got it all.
Negatives:  For many teams, DT is not a position of pressing need (especially at the top of the draft).

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Video Grade:  9.0
Positives:  Complete player. Good speed. Good hands. Decent size. Makes plays. Solid and safe pick.
Negatives:  He’s not the most explosive player in the draft. Wish he was taller (6’1”)

Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia                                                                                                     

Video Grade:  9.0
Positives:  Explosive. Great speed. Good moves. Decent strength. Home-run guy.
Negatives:  Runs recklessly – Fear more injuries. Not super powerful between the tackles.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin                                                                                   

Video Grade:  9.0
Positives:  Great short burst. Big, strong. Good vision. Shifty. Fast enough.
Negatives:  Not as explosive as some runners. Not many highlights catching the ball.

Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson                                                                                       

Video Grade:  9.0
Positives:  Second of four that really surprised me on film. Super fast. Often gets in the backfield before you can figure out where he came from. Disruptive off the edge. Reminds me of Clay Matthews.
Negatives:  He is a little small. Lacks strength to contribute consistently in run support. Relies on his speed.

DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville                                                                                  

Video Grade: 8.5             
Positives:  Fluid player. Natural. Great hands. Beast in the red zone. Brings in jump balls. Long arms. Good route runner. As a Viking fan, it was fun watching Teddy throw TDs to him.
Negatives:  Not explosive. Slender frame. Doesn’t have great speed or moves.

Landon Collins, S, Alabama                                                                                          

Video Grade:  8.5
Positives:  Third of Four guys that really surprised me on film. Made many impact plays. Big hitter. Great tackler. Good hands. Nose for the ball. Plays like a LB on running downs. Reminds me of Harrison Smith.
Negatives:  Not super fast. Better against the run. Always had a great defense around him to compensate for mistakes.

(14 more after the jump.)