University of Minnesota Athletics
Monday, November 6
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Bethune-Cookman
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Ready to Open 2023-24 Campaign Monday Night
11/4/2023 8:07:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: B1G +
Tip Time: 7:01 P.M.
Radio: KTLK 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius: Sirius App
SERIES INFORMATION*
Fifth Meeting (4-0 all time)
Last Time: 12/6/02, Williams Arena (W, 79-52)
Minnesota vs. SWAC Teams: 10-0
Last SWAC Team: 2022 (W, 72-56 Ark.-Pine Bluff)
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The 2023-24 season marks the 129th year of Golden Gopher men's basketball, dating back to 1895-96 season. Minnesota has won the past eight season openers, with the last loss coming in 2014. Season 129 begins on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. when it hosts Bethune-Cookman. The 2023-24 season is year three for head coach Ben Johnson. He won both openers his first two years vs. Western Michigan in 2022 (W, 61-60) and his first collegiate win on Nov. 9, 2021 against Kansas City, 71-56.
• Minnesota is one of 10 Big Ten teams playing on the opening day of basketball season, with the other four playing on Nov. 7. Also hosting home games opening day are Ohio State (vs. Oakland), Northwestern (vs. Binghamton), Nebraska (vs. Lindenwood), Michigan State (vs. James Madison), Purdue (vs. Samford), Penn State (vs. Delaware State), Illinois (vs. Eastern Illinois) and Wisconsin (vs. Arkansas State). The only road contest for a Big Ten team on Nov. 6 is Rutgers at Princeton. On Nov. 7, North Dakota plays at Iowa, Florida Gulf Coast plays at Indiana, Mount St. Mary's is at Maryland and UNC Asheville is at Michigan.
• Minnesota is 4-0 all time against Bethune-Cookman, dating back to 1987. The last time the Gophers played the Wildcats was in 2002, when Michael Bauer led the Gophers with 19 points en route to a 79-52 win. Prior to that, Minnesota also defeated the Wildcats in 2000 (W, 93-70), in 1992 (W, 92-50) and in 1987 (W, 94-50).
• Minnesota has the potential of having eight newcomers make their Minnesota debut in the season opener. The Gophers welcome transfers Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., and Jack Wilson to this year's team as well as freshmen Kadyn Betts, Cam Christie, Kris Keinys and Erick Reader. After a two-year hiatus due to injury, Parker Fox could also make his Minnesota debut. The Mahtomedi, Minn., native transferred to Minnesota in April of 2021, but suffered back-to-back knee injuries. In addition, Isaiah Ihnen is looking to return to Williams Arena court in 2023 after suffering back-to-back knee injuries in June of 2021 and July of 2022.
PROMOTION SCHEDULE
Bring in 3 or more canned foods for any game in November and receive a discounted ticket. Fans can drop off items in the entrances off University Ave, Maturi Pavilion or Oak Street entrances.
ENTRY INTO WILLIAMS ARENA FOR 2023-24
Entry into Williams Arena for Gopher Men's and Women's basketball will primarily utilize the public gates located at the Oak Street entrance (east), University Avenue entrance (south), and Maturi Pavilion main entrance (west). The doors located off of SE 4th St (north) will not be available for entry but will continue to be available for exiting the arena. When event overlaps exist between Maturi Pavilion and Williams Arena, entry to William Arena will be available at the Oak Street entrance (east), University Avenue entrance (south), and SE 4th St (north).
GOPHERS EXHIBITION WIN
• Minnesota opened the 2023-24 season with a 97-73 exhibition win over Macalester, on Nov. 2. The Golden Gophers had scoring from 10 individuals, including five in double digits. The Gophers were one of 10 Big Ten teams that played either a Division II, III or NAIA team during the exhibition period.
• Joshua Ola-Joseph paced the Gophers with 21 points, while Dawson Garcia had 19, Elijah Hawkins had 17, Mike Mitchell Jr., had 13 and Parker Fox had 11. Garcia also completed the double double with 11 rebounds. Hawkins and Mitchell Jr. also had nine assists apiece.
• Minnesota went 38-47 from the field, including 10-26 from beyond the arc. The Gophers also had 43 rebounds and committed just five turnovers, while adding three steals. Minnesota outscored the Scots 52-4 in the paint and scored 12 points off turners. They also held a 24-8 advantage in fast break points. As a team, they also added 32 assists.
GOPHERS VS. SWAC
• The Gopher game vs. Bethune-Cookman marks the first of two Gopher opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff set to play the Gophers on Nov. 21.
• Minnesota is 10-0 all-time against the SWAC, dating back to 1985. Minnesota last defeated a SWAC team in 2022 when the Gophers won, 72-56, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Dec. 14, 2022. Minnesota's game last year vs. Alcorn State, also in December, was canceled due to weather and travel conditions.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
• Head coach Reggie Theus is in his third year at the Bethune-Cookman helm. Along with head coaching responsibilities, Theus is also the department's athletic director, the only individual in all of Division I athletics to hold both roles. Theus, who played at UNLV, a 15-year NBA player and two-time NBA All-Star, is in his 10th year of coaching collegiately and holds a 115-169 overall record.
• The Wildcats were 12-20 last season and 8-10 in the SWAC, which ranked seventh in the league. Zion Harmon, arguably the highest recruit in program history, returns for the Wildcats. The former No. 1 recruit in the state of Kentucky averaged 13.7 points last season and 28.9 minutes and was the SWAC Freshman of the Year. This season, Harmon was named to the Preseason All-SWAC Team. Also returning is James Henderson Jr., who averaged 1.4 ppg and 3.2 rebounds. The Wildcats, however, have seven newcomers added to this year's roster.
ON THE DOCKET
• Following the season opener, Minnesota will play UTSA on Friday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be one of five broadcasts on Peacock this season.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network and KTLK (1130 AM/103.5 FM).
Stream: B1G +
Tip Time: 7:01 P.M.
Radio: KTLK 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius: Sirius App
SERIES INFORMATION*
Fifth Meeting (4-0 all time)
Last Time: 12/6/02, Williams Arena (W, 79-52)
Minnesota vs. SWAC Teams: 10-0
Last SWAC Team: 2022 (W, 72-56 Ark.-Pine Bluff)
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The 2023-24 season marks the 129th year of Golden Gopher men's basketball, dating back to 1895-96 season. Minnesota has won the past eight season openers, with the last loss coming in 2014. Season 129 begins on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. when it hosts Bethune-Cookman. The 2023-24 season is year three for head coach Ben Johnson. He won both openers his first two years vs. Western Michigan in 2022 (W, 61-60) and his first collegiate win on Nov. 9, 2021 against Kansas City, 71-56.
• Minnesota is one of 10 Big Ten teams playing on the opening day of basketball season, with the other four playing on Nov. 7. Also hosting home games opening day are Ohio State (vs. Oakland), Northwestern (vs. Binghamton), Nebraska (vs. Lindenwood), Michigan State (vs. James Madison), Purdue (vs. Samford), Penn State (vs. Delaware State), Illinois (vs. Eastern Illinois) and Wisconsin (vs. Arkansas State). The only road contest for a Big Ten team on Nov. 6 is Rutgers at Princeton. On Nov. 7, North Dakota plays at Iowa, Florida Gulf Coast plays at Indiana, Mount St. Mary's is at Maryland and UNC Asheville is at Michigan.
• Minnesota is 4-0 all time against Bethune-Cookman, dating back to 1987. The last time the Gophers played the Wildcats was in 2002, when Michael Bauer led the Gophers with 19 points en route to a 79-52 win. Prior to that, Minnesota also defeated the Wildcats in 2000 (W, 93-70), in 1992 (W, 92-50) and in 1987 (W, 94-50).
• Minnesota has the potential of having eight newcomers make their Minnesota debut in the season opener. The Gophers welcome transfers Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., and Jack Wilson to this year's team as well as freshmen Kadyn Betts, Cam Christie, Kris Keinys and Erick Reader. After a two-year hiatus due to injury, Parker Fox could also make his Minnesota debut. The Mahtomedi, Minn., native transferred to Minnesota in April of 2021, but suffered back-to-back knee injuries. In addition, Isaiah Ihnen is looking to return to Williams Arena court in 2023 after suffering back-to-back knee injuries in June of 2021 and July of 2022.
PROMOTION SCHEDULE
Bring in 3 or more canned foods for any game in November and receive a discounted ticket. Fans can drop off items in the entrances off University Ave, Maturi Pavilion or Oak Street entrances.
ENTRY INTO WILLIAMS ARENA FOR 2023-24
Entry into Williams Arena for Gopher Men's and Women's basketball will primarily utilize the public gates located at the Oak Street entrance (east), University Avenue entrance (south), and Maturi Pavilion main entrance (west). The doors located off of SE 4th St (north) will not be available for entry but will continue to be available for exiting the arena. When event overlaps exist between Maturi Pavilion and Williams Arena, entry to William Arena will be available at the Oak Street entrance (east), University Avenue entrance (south), and SE 4th St (north).
GOPHERS EXHIBITION WIN
• Minnesota opened the 2023-24 season with a 97-73 exhibition win over Macalester, on Nov. 2. The Golden Gophers had scoring from 10 individuals, including five in double digits. The Gophers were one of 10 Big Ten teams that played either a Division II, III or NAIA team during the exhibition period.
• Joshua Ola-Joseph paced the Gophers with 21 points, while Dawson Garcia had 19, Elijah Hawkins had 17, Mike Mitchell Jr., had 13 and Parker Fox had 11. Garcia also completed the double double with 11 rebounds. Hawkins and Mitchell Jr. also had nine assists apiece.
• Minnesota went 38-47 from the field, including 10-26 from beyond the arc. The Gophers also had 43 rebounds and committed just five turnovers, while adding three steals. Minnesota outscored the Scots 52-4 in the paint and scored 12 points off turners. They also held a 24-8 advantage in fast break points. As a team, they also added 32 assists.
GOPHERS VS. SWAC
• The Gopher game vs. Bethune-Cookman marks the first of two Gopher opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff set to play the Gophers on Nov. 21.
• Minnesota is 10-0 all-time against the SWAC, dating back to 1985. Minnesota last defeated a SWAC team in 2022 when the Gophers won, 72-56, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Dec. 14, 2022. Minnesota's game last year vs. Alcorn State, also in December, was canceled due to weather and travel conditions.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
• Head coach Reggie Theus is in his third year at the Bethune-Cookman helm. Along with head coaching responsibilities, Theus is also the department's athletic director, the only individual in all of Division I athletics to hold both roles. Theus, who played at UNLV, a 15-year NBA player and two-time NBA All-Star, is in his 10th year of coaching collegiately and holds a 115-169 overall record.
• The Wildcats were 12-20 last season and 8-10 in the SWAC, which ranked seventh in the league. Zion Harmon, arguably the highest recruit in program history, returns for the Wildcats. The former No. 1 recruit in the state of Kentucky averaged 13.7 points last season and 28.9 minutes and was the SWAC Freshman of the Year. This season, Harmon was named to the Preseason All-SWAC Team. Also returning is James Henderson Jr., who averaged 1.4 ppg and 3.2 rebounds. The Wildcats, however, have seven newcomers added to this year's roster.
ON THE DOCKET
• Following the season opener, Minnesota will play UTSA on Friday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be one of five broadcasts on Peacock this season.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network and KTLK (1130 AM/103.5 FM).
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