Five things to know as Gophers men’s basketball opens practice

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After Gophers coach Ben Johnson introduced his 2023-24 men’s basketball team to fans last week on campus, Parker Fox ended up taking over to emcee.

The 6-8 redshirt senior forward from Mahtomedi was a natural behind the microphone. He found different ways to be heard after knee injuries kept him from suiting up for the Gophers.

Fox and redshirt junior forward Isaiah Ihnen were both recently cleared for contact after missing the last two seasons. Their leadership will be key for Johnson as practice opens this week.

“Although they haven’t been on the court, they’ve been in our program for two years,” Johnson said. “They know how it’s run and what it looks like. So, they’re able to help the new guys and younger guys along.”

With practice officially starting Monday, here are five things to know about Johnson’s Gophers:

Healthy team

For the first time since he took over as head coach in 2021, Johnson will be entering practice at with a roster at full strength.

Fox and Ihnen kept the Gophers from being fully healthy after having summer knee surgeries a year ago. Aside from their absence, Gophers players missed 18 total games last season due to injury or illness.

Entering last season, former Gophers starter Jamison Battle and Braeden Carrington were also sidelined with injuries.

Battle transferred to Ohio State, but Carrington is back healthy after missing eight games. So is scoring and rebounding leader Dawson Garcia, who missed five games.

Garcia ready to lead

After transferring home from North Carolina last year, Garcia became the U’s go-to guy from the opening game, but he struggled staying healthy and embracing a leadership role.

This season, the 6-11 ex-Prior Lake standout should also feel more familiar. He bounced around after high school from Marquette to North Carolina and Minnesota. This was the first time he spent a second summer in the same college program. He’s much more comfortable being the face of the team.

But Garcia doesn’t have to lead Johnson’s team alone. He’s one of…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-things-know-gophers-mens-140800029.html

Author : Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Publish date : 2023-09-25 14:08:00

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