Minnesota Golden Gophers prepare for second season under coach Niko Medved
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 9:26 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
The Minnesota Golden Gophers enter the 2026-27 basketball season following a 15-18 campaign under head coach Niko Medved. The program retains key contributors including Jalen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma, and Bobby Durkin. The roster adds transfer center Malick Kordel and guard Winters Grady, both formerly of the national champion Michigan team, alongside several other portal additions. The Gophers face a challenging non-conference schedule with a road trip to Cincinnati, the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, and neutral-site play against the California Golden Bears. Big Ten competition includes home-and-away series against Michigan, Northwestern, and Wisconsin, plus home games against Illinois and Indiana. Medved seeks to build on the grit shown last year, when the team secured notable victories over Indiana and Michigan State.
- •Jalen Crocker-Johnson returns after averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
- •Isaac Asuma returns to lead the backcourt after starting all 33 games last season.
- •Transfers Malick Kordel and Winters Grady join the roster from Michigan.
- •The Gophers participate in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic during the non-conference schedule.
- •Freshman small forward Nolen Anderson joins the team as the headliner of the 2026 recruiting class.
- 9:26 AMYahoo Sports — Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball 2026-27 Season Preview
"The Minnesota Golden Gophers had plenty of growing pains during their first season under head coach Niko Medved. While they didn't sniff the postseason in 2025-26, the Gophers had plenty of steps in the right direction. Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball 2026-27 Season Preview That should give Medved some confidence coming into the 2026-27 season. Getting …
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