Every situation is different, but the recent changes in college basketball have made it easier for first-year head coaches to rebuild a program in their image. Niko Medved was fantastic in his first few head coaching stops before getting to Minnesota last offseason and had this same opportunity. His Golden Gophers haven’t exactly been at the forefront of Big Ten basketball in recent years and that did not change under his leadership.
Year one for Minnesota could have been better but also could’ve been worse with a 15-18 record and an 11th place finish in the Big Ten standings. The Golden Gophers didn’t exactly have the same type of impact as some other Big Ten programs last year, though this was just the beginning and it’s too early to pass judgment on Medved and his staff.
Good players return
One thing that is fortunate for the Golden Gophers is that they’re actually bringing significant talent back from last season’s team. A rare circumstance in a college basketball universe filled with movement, Minnesota returns three prominent double-digit scorers and just might get a fourth as well. The staff also made significant headway in the transfer portal and will have more talent and experience this year.
With that being said, we’re not exactly predicting a Minnesota run to the Final Four, but Medved and company like the pieces they have this season and it’ll be an interesting group to watch. We’ll dive into just who will see important minutes and try to understand how some of these lineups will come together. Can this team take a big step forward and get back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019?
Projected Starters
Guard – Kyan Evans (Senior)
Last season didn’t exactly go as he planned, but Evans is an interesting and experienced new weapon for the Golden Gophers. He actually began his career playing under Medved at Colorado State, becoming a double-digit scorer in his sophomore season. Evans started a handful of games at North Carolina last season while putting up 4.0 points and 2.5 assists and hopes to be far more productive in this lineup.
Guard – Isaac Asuma (Junior)
A definite step in the right direction was taken by Asuma in this lineup last season, though he’s looking to further emerge now as an upperclassman. A solid weapon off the bench as a freshman, under Medved’s guidance he averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season, though many are hoping his long-range shooting can take a big step forward as well.
Forward – Bobby Durkin (Senior)
It’s year two for Durkin in this lineup, having arrived after spending his first two collegiate seasons in the Davidson frontcourt. A starter for much of the season, Durkin had 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds and became a reliable scorer, making 39% of his 3-pointers. Regardless of his role, Durkin has plenty of potential to affect games for the Golden Gophers.
Forward – Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (Senior)
Long ago he was OVC Rookie of the Year at Little Rock, but Crocker-Johnson has played well under Medved’s lead both with Colorado State and last year here at Minnesota. A foot injury cost him a few games late in the season, but he still managed 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game across a productive junior year. Expect even more out of him as a veteran piece in this lineup.
Center – Malick Kordel (Sophomore)
A national champion thanks to his role at Michigan last season, Kordel comes to Minnesota looking for a real opportunity. The 7-2 center from Germany didn’t see the court often last year, with just 17 points and 21 rebounds across limited minutes. His size clearly stands out and he now gets a chance to earn significant minutes, settling into the traditional center role for the Golden Gophers.
Key Reserves
Forward – Cade Tyson (Senior)
The game changer here is if Tyson is actually ruled eligible and can return for a 5th collegiate campaign. The former Belmont star and North Carolina backup really emerged last season with the Golden Gophers, averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. If eligible, their leading scorer is clearly not just a starter but the star of the show, though it’s uncertain what will transpire in the weeks ahead.
Forward – Grayson Grove (Sophomore)
There might have been a slow start, but Grove started several games down the stretch and started settling into this own in this frontcourt. He averaged 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds but was playing better than those figures in the final weeks of the season. If he can take that noted step forward into his second year on the court, then Grove can be a reliable forward who earns starters minutes again.
Guard – Malachi Palmer (Junior)
His numbers may not jump out but Palmer is a notable transfer addition and likely becomes an important depth piece here in Minnesota. A backup at Maryland as a freshman, he was more productive after following Kevin Willard to Villanova, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds. Most of his numbers improved and he’s projecting to get plenty of looks at the wing as an upperclassman.
Guard – Kai Shinholster (Sophomore)
Shinholster carved out a role for himself off the bench as a true freshman and is hoping for even more in his sophomore season. The numbers don’t stand out with just 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds but this staff is excited about his potential with his versatility and defensive ability in the months ahead.
Guard – Nolan Groves (Sophomore)
Another interesting transfer add with potential, Groves is a Minnesota native who spent last season largely as a backup at Texas Tech. His work in the Big 12 wasn’t outstanding, putting up just 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds but it’s all about the intangibles. He’s a great defensive player and provides backcourt depth, with the potential to earn meaningful minutes if his offense can catch up.
Guard/Forward – Winters Grady (Freshman)
He’s another national champion making the trek from Michigan to Minnesota, though Grady also didn’t see much time on the court last year. He played sparingly in just nine games, putting up 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Still, Grady is a former Top 100 prospect who projects as a wing who can be a great shot maker and defender, though we’ll see how much run he gets this season.
Forward – Nolen Anderson (Freshman)
A 3-star small forward from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Anderson is one of the notable pieces from this freshman class, though it’s uncertain what kind of role he’ll have in his first year. Minnesota has plenty of wings in this lineup, though Anderson projects as a smooth and smart player with the ball who can make things happen all over the court on offense and be effective on the other end as well.
Center – Chadrack Mpoyi (Freshman)
Rated as the best piece of this incoming freshman class, Mpoyi is a 6-11 center from California. What initially stands out is his size, though Mpoyi isn’t just your prototypical center. He’s a physical athlete who should become quite proficient in rebounding, dunking, and on defense, though we’ll see if the staff wants to him ease him in.
Schedule Outlook
Minnesota gets a few early home games, including against local mid-major St. Thomas, before a true road test at Cincinnati comes right away on November 9th. Two more games at home follow that, but it’s quite a stretch afterwards and a 4-1 start at the very least is a necessity.
The Golden Gophers head to the Charleston Classic where they’ll play Oklahoma State and Utah, winnable games against two Big 12 opponents. They’ll end November in South Dakota, facing off against California in another winnable matchup, though it’s a little tougher after that.
That first peek at Big Ten play sees them traveling to Michigan State before hosting Illinois and many will expect an 0-2 start in conference with that schedule. It doesn’t help that December 12th brings another challenging contests, facing off against SMU just outside Dallas. Three more tune-ups at home takes Minnesota truly into conference play.
The schedule makers are giving the Golden Gophers two shots at defending champion Michigan, while also playing Northwestern and Wisconsin two times apiece. They’ll head to Los Angeles in early February to play those teams, though their only looks at Indiana, Ohio State, and Purdue all come at home. There really aren’t easy stretches in this conference, even with Senior Night against those Buckeyes.
Season Outlook
Anything could happen with Tyson’s eligibility, though his availability would clearly be huge and give Minnesota an experience star scorer who could single-handedly add a few wins to the upcoming season. With that being said, Medved is prepared regardless and added quite the talent at virtually every position this offseason.
They’re really hoping that Evans developed into a major player now back in this system, and him becoming a reliable point guard would be a huge step towards Minnesota winning these close games in the Big Ten. Beyond that, getting Asuma, Crocker-Johnson, and Durkin all back is clearly monumental for the continuity of this lineup, though it’s fair to question how important that is coming off a 15-win season.
The real question marks come from these new transfer additions, with Minnesota adding five power conference players who didn’t do much last season but all have great potential. Both Kordel and Grady became champions with the Wolverines and both are expected to take major steps with these opportunities. Between Groves, Palmer, and the freshmen, there’s definitely depth here but it’s all about who has the great season and stands out in the back end of the lineup.
If you’re deep diving into Minnesota basketball, you’re not finding elite freshmen or amazing transfer additions, though that isn’t to say that these new pieces can’t develop into great players. There’s an intriguing combination of returning athletes and raw talent that just might hit the right note for the Golden Gophers in the season ahead. Regardless of the expectations, it’s all about how these lineups play and there’s certainly the talent to be more formidable in Medved’s second year at the helm.
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