Minnesota’s Frontcourt Takes a Hit: Robert Vaihola Out for the Season
Niko Medved’s first season at the helm of the Minnesota Gophers was always going to be a bit of a rebuild. He inherited a program in transition, with a roster that needed both depth and development. Still, there have been bright spots-an 8-5 start, a ranked win already in the books-but the Gophers are now facing a significant setback in the frontcourt.
Starting center Robert Vaihola, a key transfer from San Jose State, is officially out for the season. He’ll undergo knee surgery on Friday after aggravating an existing injury back in November. It’s a tough blow for a Minnesota squad that’s already thin on experience and has now lost two starters before even hitting the heart of Big Ten play.
Vaihola had been expected to play a major role in Medved’s system. At 6’8”, he brought size, rebounding, and a veteran presence to a frontcourt that desperately needed it.
In his five games this season, Vaihola averaged 5.0 points on an efficient 70% shooting clip while pulling down 7.6 rebounds per game-a career high. But he hasn’t seen the floor since November 18, when he re-injured the knee that had already been giving him trouble.
This marks the second major injury for the Gophers in just a few weeks. Guard Chansey Willis Jr. broke his foot in a late November matchup against Stanford, further depleting Minnesota’s starting lineup. That means Medved is now down two starters just as the Big Ten schedule ramps up-an unenviable position for any coach, let alone one in his first year trying to establish a new culture.
Vaihola’s journey to Minnesota was already a winding one. He started his college career at Fresno State before transferring to San Jose State, where he played 57 games across two seasons.
After redshirting in 2023-24, he returned last year to start 31 games for the Spartans, using that experience as a springboard into a Big Ten opportunity. His blend of size, toughness, and rebounding instincts made him a natural fit for the Gophers’ frontcourt.
While the injury ends his season, it may not end his college career. There’s a strong chance Vaihola could be granted a medical redshirt, which would give him one more year of eligibility. If that happens, Medved could get his veteran big man back next season-this time with a full year in the system and a clearer understanding of what the Gophers need from him.
For now, though, Minnesota will have to adjust on the fly. With conference play heating up and depth already being tested, the Gophers will need younger players to step up in big ways. Medved’s first season was never going to be easy, but losing a key piece like Vaihola this early makes the road ahead even steeper.