Saunders slated to return in October

[ducks]

Saunders slated to return in October

BY RICK ALONZO

Pioneer Press


The Timberwolves and former coach Flip Saunders will get reacquainted in October.

The Wolves announced their eight-game exhibition schedule Wednesday; it includes two games against the Detroit Pistons, who hired Saunders as coach last month. Saunders coached the Wolves from December 1995 until February, when he was relieved of his duties during a disappointing season.

The Wolves will play Oct. 16 at Detroit. Saunders will coach his first game in the Twin Cities with Detroit on Oct. 28 at Target Center.

Minnesota will play home-and-home series against Milwaukee, Indiana, Detroit and Chicago. Two of the Wolves' home games will be at Target Center; the other two will be outside of the Twin Cities, with specifics to be announced later.

Madsen signing in works: Free-agent forward Mark Madsen said he has signed his five-year contract with the Wolves, adding that the paperwork would arrive at the team office today by overnight mail. The Wolves have not announced any signings, but Madsen's deal and others could be made official this week.

Madsen said he's looking forward to attending a voluntary minicamp Aug. 20-24 in Las Vegas. He has recovered from his surgically repaired ligament in his right wrist, he said, and is ready to play.

"It will be just an informal time for us to get together and spend some time together," Madsen said. "I think a lot of the guys are planning on going, if not all."

Wolves reach radio deal: The Wolves have extended for the 2005-06 season their deal with KFAN-AM 1130 to broadcast games. KFAN has held the broadcast rights since the Wolves' first season in 1989-90.

KFAN will broadcast three exhibitions games and all regular-season and playoff games.

Ted Johnson, vice president of communications, said the Wolves hope to bring back play-by-play announcer Chad Hartman and analyst Billy McKinney. Johnson said the team would begin talks with Hartman and McKinney in the coming days.

Rick Alonzo covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected].

[ducks]

TIMBERWOLVES' EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
Oct. 12 vs. Milwaukee Bucks 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 at Indiana Pacers 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Detroit Pistons 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Chicago Bulls 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20 *Indiana Pacers TBA
Oct. 22 at Milwaukee Bucks 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 vs. Chicago Bulls 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 *Detroit Pistons TBA

[Sense]

interesting.