Gophers Dominate NDSU in Exhibition, Offering First Glimpse of 2025-26 Squad
Table of Contents
Minnesota fans got their first look at the future of Gophers basketball on Thursday night, as Niko Medved’s team secured an 80-54 exhibition victory over North Dakota State. While the result won’t impact their regular-season record, the game provided valuable insights into the team’s evolving roster and potential lineup combinations heading into the 2025-26 season.
The Gophers underwent a significant overhaul in the offseason, adding a total of 13 new players. This influx of talent has created both excitement and uncertainty surrounding the team’s composition.
Backcourt Dynamics Under Scrutiny
A key area of focus this season will be the backcourt, particularly the integration of transfers Chansey Willis Jr. from Western Michigan and Reynolds from Northern Colorado. Both players bring distinct skillsets to the table, with Reynolds identified as a natural shooting guard and Willis possessing more ball-handling capabilities.
Despite Willis earning the starting nod on Thursday, both newcomers experienced some initial struggles finding their rhythm. Reynolds finished with four points on 2-of-9 shooting, alongside four rebounds and six assists, while Willis contributed seven points on 2-of-4 shooting with three rebounds and four assists. How Medved manages the playing time and roles of these two alongside Isaac Asuma will be a crucial storyline throughout the season.
New-Look Starting Five Takes the Floor
The starting lineup for the exhibition game featured Willis Jr., Asuma, Cade Tyson, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, and Robert Vaihola. While four of these selections were largely anticipated, Vaihola’s inclusion over Davidson transfer Durkin came as a slight surprise. This suggests a willingness from the coaching staff to evaluate different combinations and potentially keep the lineup fluid throughout the year.
Here’s a look at the Gophers’ starting five from Thursday’s exhibition:
https://twitter.com/TonyLiebert/status/1713899999999999999
Tyson Shines in Dominant Performance
Among the new additions, Cade Tyson immediately made his presence felt. After a challenging season at North Carolina following two successful years at Belmont, Tyson appeared to rediscover his form against NDSU. He ignited the Gophers’ offense with an impressive 11-0 individual run in the second half, ultimately leading all scorers with a game-high 28 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting performance.
The team showcased Tyson’s scoring prowess on social media:
https://twitter.com/GopherMBB/status/1714088888888888888
“He’s a player who can lead Minnesota in scoring on any given night,” one observer noted.
Rotation Taking Shape, Young Players Earning Opportunities
Beyond the starting five, the Gophers’ rotation began to take shape. Grove, who remained with the program through the coaching change, was one of the first players off the bench, indicating the coaching staff’s trust in his potential contribution in the frontcourt. Despite being limited to seven minutes due to early foul trouble, his inclusion suggests a defined role for the Alexandria, Minnesota native.
Grove, Durkin, Reynolds, and B.J. Omot comprised the primary bench contributors, while Central Arkansas transfer Nehemiah Turner and freshman guard Kai Shinholster saw limited action late in the game. This early look at the rotation provides a glimpse into Medved’s plans for managing the team’s depth.
The exhibition win against North Dakota State offered a promising start for the Minnesota Gophers as they embark on the 2025-26 season. While challenges remain in integrating a large number of new players, the team’s performance on Thursday showcased its potential and provided a foundation for continued growth.
