Before heading to Chicago, Minnesota Gophers head coach Niko Medved sat down with the media to chat about the upcoming postseason, their matchup with Rutgers, Cade Tyson's accolades, and more.
On Cade Tyson's Honorable Mention:
Medved expressed his support for Cade Tyson, who received an honorable mention rather than a spot on the All Big Ten teams. "I do think Cade deserved a spot," Medved shared, acknowledging his bias.
"With so many talented players in the Big Ten, it's tough to stand out. Making any of those teams is a big deal."
Lessons Learned as a Coach:
Reflecting on the season, Medved emphasized the importance of having the right people in the program. "This is a people business," he said. "When adversity hits, having the right people gives you a chance to fight through it and grow."
Preseason Goals Achieved:
Medved discussed the team's progress, saying, "We didn't set a specific win target, but we wanted to generate excitement for the future of Gopher basketball. Despite injuries, I feel we've achieved that. Finishing 11th under these circumstances is remarkable."
Facing Rutgers Again:
Medved is well aware of the challenge Rutgers presents. "Beating any team twice is tough," he noted.
"Rutgers is athletic and well-coached. We need to keep them out of transition and off the boards.
They'll make adjustments, so we have to be sharp."
Preparing for Next Season:
Looking ahead, Medved talked about recruiting and retaining players. "We have three high school recruits coming in.
Next, we'll negotiate with current players we want to keep. The transfer portal will be key, and we've got a great pitch with our program's resources and track record."
Resources and Budget:
When asked about resources, Medved was hopeful. "I believe our administration is committed to making us competitive. The market's uncertain, but we're working to build a winning team."
Bobby Durkin's Knee Injury:
Medved provided an update on Bobby Durkin's recovery. "He's feeling better. If he's near 100 percent, he should be ready to contribute."
Postseason Possibilities:
Discussing postseason options like the NIT and Crown, Medved outlined the criteria. "The Crown now takes only eight teams, with specific selections from major conferences.
It's a unique opportunity, especially with the NIL aspect in Las Vegas. As for the NIT, we'll focus on winning the next game and see where we stand."
Season Reflections:
Medved expressed his enjoyment of the season. "It's been incredible.
Watching the excitement grow and experiencing those memorable wins with the fans has been special. I'm having a blast, even as the season winds down."