All Hail Niko!!

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rwbPhilly said:
I don't expect much from Shinholster or Grove. They are young and developing. The Grove comment goes back to Johnson not using his bench players. If Grove was not ready, he should have been red-shirted instead of riding the bench with zero minutes.
Ultimately, Medved is coaching players up to contribute one way or another. He may be the best coach we have had since Clemens.
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Grove did redshirt.

Just because you wear a jersey on the bench does not mean that you played and lost your redshirt
 


I don't want to get too giddy. Because of the Gophers' thin roster, this thing could still collapse in a heap like when they told Gilligan he couldn't fly. But I will say this: how many times have we marveled at an opposing team who lost a key player or players and reconstitutes themselves on the fly and keeps on trucking? Or wins with arguably not enough talent and numbers? I remember Huggins at Cincinnati beating the Gophers with a depleted roster where he had football players actually playing in the game. It feels good to have these kinds of marvels being performed on our behalf instead of opposing us.

When Medved was hired, I think I posted that, win or lose, at least we'll get to watch a beautiful and functional offense. (When people ask me why I went into civil engineering, I always reply that I like to build beautiful and functional things.) This is a team that knows what they're doing out there. Win or lose, it's a pleasure to watch.
 

Bad Gopher said:
I don't want to get too giddy. Because of the Gophers' thin roster, this thing could still collapse in a heap like when they told Gilligan he couldn't fly. But I will say this: how many times have we marveled at an opposing team who lost a key player or players and reconstitutes themselves on the fly and keeps on trucking? Or wins with arguably not enough talent and numbers? I remember Huggins at Cincinnati beating the Gophers with a depleted roster where he had football players actually playing in the game. It feels good to have these kinds of marvels being performed on our behalf instead of opposing us.

When Medved was hired, I think I posted that, win or lose, at least we'll get to watch a beautiful and functional offense. (When people ask me why I went into civil engineering, I always reply that I like to build beautiful and functional things.) This is a team that knows what they're doing out there. Win or lose, it's a pleasure to watch.
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After seeing so many seasons completely derailed by injuries it is really impressive the way this team has been able to weather that and keep on succeeding without multiple players we were counting on to make big contributions this year.

Can't afford any more, but this group of 7 has shown they can be really effective.
 

Gopher-in-Keno said:
The last 4 years were so bad and even a lot of the Pitino era was the same. The weave at the top with little other movement, it was so easy to guard. It went on for so long, I started doubting if a new coach could even come in and make a big difference in style of play and scheme. It is so refreshing to see them playing this new offense.
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One of my favorite things this year, that I realized at the game last night is: When we call a timeout, or when we really need a basket, Niko runs a great set that usually gets us a good shot. A layup, tyson look, etc. Doesnt always go in but every player is on same page of what they are trying to do and it is not just an iso.

Forgot how much I have missed that, compared to past 5-10 years.
 


MNVCGUY said:
Willis and Viahola are out for the year. Omot is the big mystery.

To anyone who was at the game last night - is Omot taking part in any pre-game activities? He is there on the bench in a warmup suit but I don't think there has been an update on his status in a long time. Would be a huge boost to the team to get another usable piece.
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No, he doesn’t participate in any pregame warm-ups
 


MNVCGUY said:
Shinholster and Grove won't give you a ton on offense off the bench but they are playing hard and playing well considering how young they both are.
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The silver lining to the injuries this team has suffered. Both of these guys are not only getting valuable experience, but both seem to be noticeably improving, along with the majority of the roster.
 

stocker08 said:
The silver lining to the injuries this team has suffered. Both of these guys are not only getting valuable experience, but both seem to be noticeably improving, along with the majority of the roster.
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Yep. Hopefully Niko has better luck then Johnson did of keeping the roster in tact from year to year. If he does then this valuable experience will only make both of them better next year.
 



MNVCGUY said:
Yep. Hopefully Niko has better luck then Johnson did of keeping the roster in tact from year to year. If he does then this valuable experience will only make both of them better next year.
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Keeping your best employees is not based on luck.
 


Bad Gopher said:
I don't want to get too giddy. Because of the Gophers' thin roster, this thing could still collapse in a heap like when they told Gilligan he couldn't fly. But I will say this: how many times have we marveled at an opposing team who lost a key player or players and reconstitutes themselves on the fly and keeps on trucking? Or wins with arguably not enough talent and numbers? I remember Huggins at Cincinnati beating the Gophers with a depleted roster where he had football players actually playing in the game. It feels good to have these kinds of marvels being performed on our behalf instead of opposing us.

When Medved was hired, I think I posted that, win or lose, at least we'll get to watch a beautiful and functional offense. (When people ask me why I went into civil engineering, I always reply that I like to build beautiful and functional things.) This is a team that knows what they're doing out there. Win or lose, it's a pleasure to watch.
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This resonated deeply with me. The last few decades, we were always one or two injuries away from ruin.

You'd see other teams lose massive contributors, and dudes who haven't played any meaningful minutes would come in, play their role, and the machine would keep chugging.

I'd always think, why don't we have these kinds of role players!? Instead, we're counting on the likes of Gaston Diedhiou, Taurus Samuels, Oto Osenieks, Ahmad Gilbert, and Charlie Daniels, which ultimately was a disaster.

Shoot, even guys like Abdoule Thiam, Bryan Greenlee, and Jamir Harris weren't servicable here, but went on to have decent careers elsewhere.

I always thought it was a skill issue (and it was to some extent), but really, at its core, it was a system issue.

No identity, no system, no roles = Reserves hung out to dry

I commented the first time I saw Kai and Grayson play: No deer in the headlights look. They knew exactly what they needed to be doing on offense and defense. Turner even contributed in the Indiana game when called upon.

Kai and Grove don't always execute, but they sure as hell aren't lost out there! And you just KNOW they will improve year over year (if they stick around).

This season is getting very interesting, but I think the real fun will begin next year.
 




This guy is a real coach. Team getting better as they go. Skills being developed. FREE THROWS being made.
Team plays hard. He is Clem re-incarnated.
 


topos said:
This resonated deeply with me. The last few decades, we were always one or two injuries away from ruin.

You'd see other teams lose massive contributors, and dudes who haven't played any meaningful minutes would come in, play their role, and the machine would keep chugging.

I'd always think, why don't we have these kinds of role players!? Instead, we're counting on the likes of Gaston Diedhiou, Taurus Samuels, Oto Osenieks, Ahmad Gilbert, and Charlie Daniels, which ultimately was a disaster.

Shoot, even guys like Abdoule Thiam, Bryan Greenlee, and Jamir Harris weren't servicable here, but went on to have decent careers elsewhere.

I always thought it was a skill issue (and it was to some extent), but really, at its core, it was a system issue.

No identity, no system, no roles = Reserves hung out to dry

I commented the first time I saw Kai and Grayson play: No deer in the headlights look. They knew exactly what they needed to be doing on offense and defense. Turner even contributed in the Indiana game when called upon.

Kai and Grove don't always execute, but they sure as hell aren't lost out there! And you just KNOW they will improve year over year (if they stick around).

This season is getting very interesting, but I think the real fun will begin next year.
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Great post! As I said the other day, I can guarantee you that Medved could be using a kid like Ihnen effectively on this team. He was a guy with ability but no confidence in what he should do.

On this team Shinholster and Grove no exactly what they are supposed to do and are effective and getting better.
 

Go Gophs said:
This guy is a real coach. Team getting better as they go. Skills being developed. FREE THROWS being made.
Team plays hard. He is Clem re-incarnated.
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I know he wasn’t an official coach just a great assistant back in the day, but watching him on the sidelines, there is a small piece of Coach hoskins back at Williams Arena
 


bga1 said:
Great post! As I said the other day, I can guarantee you that Medved could be using a kid like Ihnen effectively on this team. He was a guy with ability but no confidence in what he should do.
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Ihnen is a good hypothetical. I also wonder what it would look like to watch Rodney Williams with Medved’s coaching. I think that would be a lot of fun.
 


www.espn.com

2025-26 Big Ten Men's College Basketball Power Index - ESPN

View the 2025-26 Big Ten conference Men's College Basketball power index on ESPN. The BPI is the best predictor of a team's performance for the season.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Minnesota beat ranked Indiana, Northwestern (slightly higher BPI than Minnesota), and ranked Iowa. You can see their BPI at the link.

At that rate the Gophers project to???

Up next: USC.

Possible 4-1 in conference play A BIG GAME!

Pack the barn, important game alert!!
 

WinMinGophers! said:
www.espn.com

2025-26 Big Ten Men's College Basketball Power Index - ESPN

View the 2025-26 Big Ten conference Men's College Basketball power index on ESPN. The BPI is the best predictor of a team's performance for the season.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Minnesota beat ranked Indiana, Northwestern (slightly higher BPI than Minnesota), and ranked Iowa. You can see their BPI at the link.

At that rate the Gophers project to???

Up next: USC.

Possible 4-1 in conference play A BIG GAME!

Pack the barn, important game alert!!
Click to expand...
What is this thing you call an important game??
 

Bad Gopher said:
I don't want to get too giddy. Because of the Gophers' thin roster, this thing could still collapse in a heap like when they told Gilligan he couldn't fly. But I will say this: how many times have we marveled at an opposing team who lost a key player or players and reconstitutes themselves on the fly and keeps on trucking? Or wins with arguably not enough talent and numbers? I remember Huggins at Cincinnati beating the Gophers with a depleted roster where he had football players actually playing in the game. It feels good to have these kinds of marvels being performed on our behalf instead of opposing us.

When Medved was hired, I think I posted that, win or lose, at least we'll get to watch a beautiful and functional offense. (When people ask me why I went into civil engineering, I always reply that I like to build beautiful and functional things.) This is a team that knows what they're doing out there. Win or lose, it's a pleasure to watch.
Click to expand...
Odds are things will go sideways...but not for lack of effort or bad coaching. Sure the Debbie Downers will whine like children but for this year we just need to keep getting glimpses of hope for the future. Right now we are playing with house money!
 

bga1 said:
Great post! As I said the other day, I can guarantee you that Medved could be using a kid like Ihnen effectively on this team. He was a guy with ability but no confidence in what he should do.

On this team Shinholster and Grove no exactly what they are supposed to do and are effective and getting better.
Click to expand...
It was kind of interesting during his post game press conference after Iowa Niko talked some about how the injuries have kind of forced their hand some in terms of getting guys like Grove and Shinholster into the regular rotation in a way they probably would not have been if the team was healthy. Talked about how the injuries made it easy because the 7 guys they are playing are basically the only options they have.

Seems like Turner has fallen completely out of the mix at this point.
 

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