Niko Medved, now in his second year as head coach, has a Gopher squad that returns a core group of four players along with nine new additions for the 2026-27 season.
“Guys have a great spirit about them,” Medved told MSR while sitting in his Stadium Village office overlooking the team’s practice court. “I think we have improved.”
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson is Minnesota’s returning leading scorer from last season (13.4 ppg) and is one of six Black players on the squad this season with Kyan Evans, Cedric Towes, Malachi Palmer, Kai Shinholster and Chadrack Mpovi.
“They’re working hard,” observed Medved of the aforementioned players.
A 1997 graduate, Medved returned to his alma mater a season ago after seven years at Colorado State. His coaching journey initially began as a Gopher student manager under legendary coach Clem Haskins.
“I think he influenced me a lot,” he said proudly. “It was so good for me.”
The Roseville native pointed out, “I grew up, and my dad would take me to the game. There was a certain spirit and culture and mentality around the program. When I had an opportunity to come and work for (Haskins), just seeing things from that perspective was so different than what I maybe imagined as far as how things were run on a daily basis.
“There’s a lot of things I take from Coach and just how he ran things, the culture he created, how hard those guys played,” continued the Gopher head coach. “I dove in knowing that I wanted to coach. That’s the experience that changed my life, make me believe that maybe I could be a college coach.
“I think I’m a really good teacher at heart,” believed Medved. “I think I do a good job communicating and teaching, meeting them where they are, getting them to a place that they couldn’t get to by themselves. I think that’s what coaching is, and it’s a transfer of belief. I think I’m genuine … I think players appreciate that.”
Minnesota last season finished 15-18 overall. The Gophers also saw postseason action in the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas last spring.
“Last year it was new for everybody,” said Medved on his first year.
The Gophers’ 2026-27 regular season kicks off after two exhibition contests against North Dakota Nov. 2.
“You want to be in contention to go to the NCAA Tournament. I think that’s the goal every season, and that’s the goal we have right now,” said Medved of his team’s prospects.
The Gophers this season have a new addition to their coaching staff: Assistant Coach Lexus Williams, a Boise State assistant for the past five years after a playing career that first began at Valparaiso for three seasons, then finished at Boise State.
“He’s a young guy that’s going to be a star,” said Medved of Williams. “He’s already turned into a star in the profession, and I just think he’s going to do a great job here.”
Williams joins Armon Gates as the only Black coaches on the Gopher staff this season, along with Chief of Staff Joe De Ciman and Director of Operations Rachel Herndon.
Finally, Medved longs for the days when The Barn was really rocking, especially during Haskins’ tenure.
“I remember a time growing up where you know Minnesota basketball was here,” concluded the coach. “I can remember those days.
“I believe in what we’re doing. I believe in this place. I think we can build a great culture,” he said. “I think we’re on the right path.”
Finally …
Both Minnesota and St. Thomas football teams are back in action this Saturday after their respective bye weeks, the former hosting Iowa and the latter at Marist.
“I think the bye is at a good time because we have so many things we have to work on,” said Coach Glenn Caruso after his team’s 64-21 home win over Stetson Oct. 10. “On the other side, that bye week is a real good football teams, starting with the first one we will play at Marist.”
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