Current Roster, Positions, Depth

[FinnGopher]

In all honesty, I couldn't care less who starts. We will need to get rebounds. Kordel doesn't need to be all world on offense. Just stand like a pillar and let people use you as a pick. But, we need him to disrupt shots and rebound on defense, without fouling. If he can do that, he will get significant playing time. But, we don't know what he can do. He could be the second coming of Jack Wilson or Bakary Konate for all we know.

 

[Bobek]

I think you could see situational starting lineups at times if everyone stays healthy.

But here is my shot at the starting lineup:

Evans
Asuma
Palmer ( he looks better than Durkin)
JCJ
Kordel ( establish defense to start the game)

6th man: Durkin
Then the G-men

Question is, who closes?

Evans
Asuma
Durkin
Palmer
JCJ

would be my bet, but would depend a lot on who has the hot hand.

Could we have a playing time problem? Probably!

I hope Kordel wins the five spo and has some offensive game. Grove works well as a rebounding energy guy off the bench, but his offense is very limited IMO.

 

[eker0016]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Kordel starts but due to conditioning/foul trouble only plays 15-20 minutes per game. Grove and Mpoyi, maybe a little JCJ small ball filling in the rest of the game.

I hope Kordel wins the five spo and has some offensive game. Grove works well as a rebounding energy guy off the bench, but his offense is very limited IMO.

 

[eker0016]

I would not be surprised to see Durkin come off the bench with Grady or Palmer starting. I think Grady or Palmer have the best chance of taking a giant leap and filling Tyson's role.

It’s exciting to think we have 3 possible guys who could be starting. Maybe even add Nolan Groves to that list.

I agree that Grady and Palmer seem like the guys with the highest ceiling offensively. Love Durkin but so far he hasn’t really shown an ability to grow his game much besides being a catch and shoot sniper (which is an awesome weapon but not really a go to 1st option).

 

[60's Guy]

It’s exciting to think we have 3 possible guys who could be starting. Maybe even add Nolan Groves to that list.

I agree that Grady and Palmer seem like the guys with the highest ceiling offensively. Love Durkin but so far he hasn’t really shown an ability to grow his game much besides being a catch and shoot sniper (which is an awesome weapon but not really a go to 1st option).

I would say we have two candidates to emulate Tyson...Grady is overwhelming #1, Groves is a lesser possibility. Palmer only started the last few games because somebody got hurt in two years of college...very inconsistent...really unlikely he's blossoming into a high teens scorer...not somebody who hunts 3's. You described Durkin spot on. (Palmer from Nov 2023)

 

[march madness]

Something to ponder. Niko went after mostly underclassmen in the portal, meaning maybe not as good next year, but makes the future look bright. Evans should start, and Palmer should be in the top 7.

SR's: Evans, Durkin, and JCJ
JR's: Asuma, Palmer
So's: N. Groves, M. Kordell, G. Groves, Shinholster
Fr's: Grady, N. Anderson, Mpoyi, Tomes

 

[march madness]

Niko on Palmer:
"Malachi is a tough, physical guard that plays with a big motor," Medved said. "With his size, he has great versatility in guarding multiple positions. Offensively, Malachi is a good shooter with the ability to make big-time shots. Playing in the NCAA Tournament last year, he's already had great experience in high-level games. We're looking forward to adding Malachi to the roster."

Palmer will give us nice minutes, at mostly SF. 6-6 215 and the best athlete on the team. He can definitely help us on defense, rebounding, and he is a solid 3 pt shooter. He will replace more of what Reynolds brought, then Tyson.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Something to ponder. Niko went after mostly underclassmen in the portal, meaning maybe not as good next year, but makes the future look bright. Evans should start, and Palmer should be in the top 7.

SR's: Evans, Durkin, and JCJ
JR's: Asuma, Palmer
So's: N. Groves, M. Kordell, G. Groves, Shinholster
Fr's: Grady, N. Anderson, Mpoyi, Tomes

Don't think there is any doubt they have an eye on the future with the portal class they brought in but I would also bet they believe most if not all these guys can help now as well as potentially be around for multiple years.

With the way players move around now you can't really bank on guys sticking around and developing the way you used to.

 

[march madness]

Don't think there is any doubt they have an eye on the future with the portal class they brought in but I would also bet they believe most if not all these guys can help now as well as potentially be around for multiple years.

With the way players move around now you can't really bank on guys sticking around and developing the way you used to.

Niko rarely lost more than one contributing player to the portal at CSU, a mid-major. We returned all the healthy contributing players from last year. So, while there is this trend, certain teams have a good track record of not losing contributing players to the portal. Part of that is current success, perception of future success, playing time, and probably if existing NIL is used to keep players more than attract newcomers, etc. So, while some teams will lose 3/4 of their roster, those are the anomalies.

The year after next, could be harder if all these players adjust, there may not be the playing time they expect for '27-'28.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Niko rarely lost more than one contributing player to the portal at CSU, a mid-major. We returned all the healthy contributing players from last year. So, while there is this trend, certain teams have a good track record of not losing contributing players to the portal. Part of that is current success, perception of future success, playing time, and probably if existing NIL is used to keep players more than attract newcomers, etc. So, while some teams will lose 3/4 of their roster, those are the anomalies.

The year after next, could be harder if all these players adjust, there may not be the playing time they expect for '27-'28.

Fleck has had similar success on the football side in terms of retaining key contributors. I just think it is a lot harder in this landscape to look too far ahead or bring in guys who might not make an impact until a little down the road.

Perfect world, you find guys who can make an immediate impact AND have multiple years left. If that is what Niko was able to find in the portal this season we will be in great shape moving forward.

 

[JZABR]

I am so glad no one on the GH is the Head Coach. The assertions of who will or will not start are born out of ignorance.

We would have ended up with RJ Spencer our starting 5 and Asuma a team manager

 

[gopherbadgerman]

l

Something to ponder. Niko went after mostly underclassmen in the portal, meaning maybe not as good next year, but makes the future look bright. Evans should start, and Palmer should be in the top 7.

SR's: Evans, Durkin, and JCJ
JR's: Asuma, Palmer
So's: N. Groves, M. Kordell, G. Groves, Shinholster
Fr's: Grady, N. Anderson, Mpoyi, Tomes

In all honesty, can you really build a team for the future in the new era with any confidence?

 

[Slim Tubby]

In all honesty, can you really build a team for the future in the new era with any confidence?

Most definitely not...but you can "build a program" reputation for success that makes it much easier to "build a team" in the future.

When I put it that way, it sure doesn't sound easy, though.

 

[bga1]

l

In all honesty, can you really build a team for the future in the new era with any confidence?

Not with confidence. I don't think he takes these players unless he thinks he can win this year with them. Freshman are a different thing. But the portal guys that you are paying 500k-1 million or whatever- they need to produce now and you know that you have to battle to keep them beyond that.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Not with confidence. I don't think he takes these players unless he thinks he can win this year with them. Freshman are a different thing. But the portal guys that you are paying 500k-1 million or whatever- they need to produce now and you know that you have to battle to keep them beyond that.

That is my take as well. I think he is definitely building with an eye to the future as well but with portal guys you need them to be able to make an impact right away because there is no guarantee they will be back the following year.

 

[goldenboy]

I would have hoped for another athletic big (6’9” guy that plays above the rim), but encouraged by the new guys. Grady’s foot history aside, I’m hopeful we’ll have a healthy team this year. Last year we had 2 guys that never played (Omot only had a few minutes in exhibition) and 3 guys that played in 7 games or less (Turner mostly a DNP-CD, and 2 injured starters). I like our depth (especially at Wing). I won’t guess where the minutes go, or how big Niko’s rotation is, since last year I was convinced Durkin would start with Tyson backing him up! But I’m hoping 9 or 10 get regular minutes. Fresh legs can help close out wins.

 

[march madness]

l

In all honesty, can you really build a team for the future in the new era with any confidence?

Why did Niko recruit transfers with no experience? If he was only worried about next year, wouldnt it make sense to take only would be SR's?

 

[bga1]

Why did Niko recruit transfers with no experience? If he was only worried about next year, wouldnt it make sense to take only would be SR's?

He took high end guys with no experience. He is making a two fold gamble:

1. That these guys are ready for court time as they came from a national champ and a couple of tournament teams- so they sat on stacked lineups and they practiced against some of the best players in the country. This talent is better talent, though raw, then he was going to be able to compete for in the mid major ranks. I think he believes he will be able to compete for the tournament now and it would mean a ton to program momentum to do so this year.

2. The second part of the gamble is the idea that the guys will get comfortable in the system and with the team such that Niko has the edge in competing to keep them for another year. I think that the incumbent coach is going to win the money ties...players will give us the nod if we are near or at market (assuming they enjoyed the experience and believe in the future success here).

But, first and foremost I have to believe these were the most talented guys we could afford, for the coming year, to give us the size and shooting that we need.

 

[jovs]

Why did Niko recruit transfers with no experience? If he was only worried about next year, wouldnt it make sense to take only would be SR's?

He's got decent experience with JCJ (Senior), Durkin (Senior), Asuma (Junior), Evans (senior), and Grove. Why not mix it with some talented but inexperienced transfers.

 

[bga1]

He's got decent experience returning in JCJ (Senior), Durkin (Senior), Asuma (Junior), and Grove. Why not mix it with some talented but inexperienced transfers.

Yep - plus Evans the senior who has played for Niko...

 

[howeda7]

He's got decent experience with JCJ (Senior), Durkin (Senior), Asuma (Junior), Evans (senior), and Grove. Why not mix it with some talented but inexperienced transfers.

If the new 5 year eligibility passes they could all return for another year as well.

 

[Indiana Gopher]

Prior to the Palmer commitment, reporting indicated the Gophers were going to add one more NIL player and then a scholarship-only (walk-on) player. Assuming this is still the case, I thought I'd take a stab at displaying the current state of the roster. Obviously the playing style includes a lot of positional exchange, so I've used a primary and secondary column to display the players that play a position as their primary spot and the other positions they play.

Interested in what people think, particularly about who will lead the team in minutes at each spot. I think we will see a small-ball lineup with JCJ at the five and Durkin at the four periodically.

Position​	Primary​	Secondary​	Expected Minutes Leader​
Center	Grove, Kordel, Mpoyi	Crocker-Johnson	Grove?
Power Forward	Crocker-Johnson	Grove, Durkin, Palmer	Crocker-Johnson
Small Forward	Durkin, Groves, Grady, Anderson	Palmer, Shinholster	Durkin
Shooting Guard	Asuma, Palmer, Shinholster, Lorenson	Grady, Groves	Asuma?
Point Guard	Evans, Tomes	Asuma, Lorenson	Evans

Appreciate your analysis. Agree that Grove is our best option at Center. Can't argue about the other starters. I do think, however, that you have undervalued Grady. You have him as our 3rd option at SF and our 5th best option at SG. I would argue he might be #2 within both position groups....BOTH next year! I love his potential and upside!

 

[Scottsdale Gopher]

Appreciate your analysis. Agree that Grove is our best option at Center. Can't argue about the other starters. I do think, however, that you have undervalued Grady. You have him as our 3rd option at SF and our 5th best option at SG. I would argue he might be #2 within both position groups....BOTH next year! I love his potential and upside!

I could have been more clear about that. Aside from guessing who will lead in minutes played, I wasn't trying to convey where I think guys are in the pecking order, just what positions they play. I agree with you about Grady. Of the players on the roster, I think he's the one with the greatest potential. I say that as someone who has a very high opinion of JCJ and Durkin.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

But, first and foremost I have to believe these were the most talented guys we could afford, for the coming year, to give us the size and shooting that we need.

I've suspected that the post on this board where Niko is calling for reform, maybe a collective bargaining agreement, is an oblique way of admitting that. We may have more money to pay players than we've ever had before but so do all of our competitors and we likely have lower tier money when compared to most of them.

 

[Spottedmuskie]

I really think Groves and Grady will surprise some folks

 

[eker0016]

I really think Groves and Grady will surprise some folks

I think we will see flashes of their scoring prowess next year, and then when Durkin/JCJ/Evans move on they will be our leading scorers. I’m really excited to see Nolen Anderson develop too.

Lets get this season started!

 

[FritoPendejo]

I really think Groves and Grady will surprise some folks

Grady’s bar for surprising folks is just staying healthy for most of the season. The poor kid has been hurt so much I don’t see how he can be included in any projections. I think he’s worth a gamble, but anything we get from him is a bonus. If in 9 months we’re back here going “if only Grady were healthy”, we learned nothing from Omot (Or Eric Curry. Or Byron Buxton) and we’re just not very bright.

 

[Swaggerson]

Grady’s bar for surprising folks is just staying healthy for most of the season. The poor kid has been hurt so much I don’t see how he can be included in any projections. I think he’s worth a gamble, but anything we get from him is a bonus. If in 9 months we’re back here going “if only Grady were healthy”, we learned nothing from Omot (Or Eric Curry. Or Byron Buxton) and we’re just not very bright.

Love the Eric Curry reference. The dude could play!

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Yep - plus Evans the senior who has played for Niko...

Malachi Palmer hasn't played in Niko's system, but is another experienced veteran who's played real minutes at a very high level.

 

[eker0016]

Grady’s bar for surprising folks is just staying healthy for most of the season. The poor kid has been hurt so much I don’t see how he can be included in any projections. I think he’s worth a gamble, but anything we get from him is a bonus. If in 9 months we’re back here going “if only Grady were healthy”, we learned nothing from Omot (Or Eric Curry. Or Byron Buxton) and we’re just not very bright.

Call me naive, but I got the sense the Grady Winters injury was more about him preserving a year of eligibility than it was a season ending injury. The way he’s talked about on here it sounds like we are taking a paraplegic and hoping he can recover somehow.

He mentioned in that one podcast that it’s something he’s been dealing with for years, but somehow he dealt with it well enough to be the 81st ranked player so maybe it was “locker room talk”. Now he will have the benefit of a college athletic training and rehab program, and nearly a year of rest.

He will have way more opportunity next year and I think he will run with it.