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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Ready for Friday Night Action vs. UTSA
11/9/2023 10:56:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast: Peacock: Rich Lerner (play-by-play), John Giannini (color)
Tip Time: 6:32 p.m.
Radio: KTLK 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Tanner Hoops, Al Nolen)
Sirius: Sirius App
SERIES INFORMATION*
2nd Meeting (1-0 all time)
Last Time: 12/14/92, Williams Arena (W, 93-75)
Minnesota vs. American League: 18-17
* - excludes vacated games
TRAFFIC/BUILDING ADVISORY
It's a busy night on campus with Gopher men's basketball playing UTSA (6:30 p.m.) and Gopher Volleyball playing Purdue (6 p.m.) at Maturi Pavilion. When events simultaneously exist between Maturi Pavilion and Williams Arena, entry to Williams Arena will be available at:
-Oak Street entrance (east)
-University Avenue entrance (south)
-SE 4th St (north)
Due to the overlapping events at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion on Friday evening, Lot 58 pass holders will be redirected to the University Avenue Ramp once Lot 58 has reached capacity. Lot 58 passes will be accepted at the University Avenue Ramp on Friday evening. Fans who wish to exchange their pass in advance may respond to this email or email gophersports@umn.edubefore noon on Friday.
Fans who have not obtained a parking pass are encouraged to purchase their parking in advance here. Fans who arrive on Friday without a parking pass should park in Lot 33, Maroon, Gold, Ski-U-Mah, or Gopher surface lots east of Huntington Bank Stadium or the Oak Street or Fourth Street Parking Ramps south and west of 3M Arena at Mariucci. Limited ADA space is available at University Avenue Ramp for fans with the appropriate state issued handicap designated tag or pass.
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is playing its second game this week when it hosts Texas San Antonio, Friday at 6:30 p.m. The game marks the first-ever Peacock broadcast and first of five this season. The Gophers and UTSA have met only one previous time in school history, dating back to 1992. Minnesota won that game, 93-75, also at Williams Arena on Dec. 14, 1992.
• Minnesota was one of 12 teams to win its season opener this week when the Gophers won, 80-60, against Bethune-Cookman Monday night. Two Big Ten teams fell to 0-1 when Rutgers lost on the road at Princeton and No. 4 Michigan State fell to James Madison at home.
• Dawson Garcia tallied a double-double Monday with 23 points, 14 rebounds and added six assists. He was one of three Big Ten individuals to record a double-double in the first game of the season. His 23 points also ranked second in the Big Ten, while no other person had six assists and a double-double in their first game of the season. The last time a Gopher opened the season with a double double was 11/5/19 when Daniel Oturu had 16 points, 10 rebounds in the 85-50 win over Cleveland State. The last time a Gopher made 10 free throws in a game dates back to 2021 when Marcus Carr had 13 at Penn State (3/3/21).
• Minnesota had five individuals make their Gopher debut Monday in Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., Jack Wilson, Parker Fox and Kadyn Betts. Isaiah Ihnen also stepped on Williams court for the first time since 2021. He and Fox both made a return to the court after back-to-back years of season-ending knee injuries. Braeden Carrington also made his first collegiate start in the win.
• Minnesota announced two additions during National Signing Day. Isaac Asuma (Mountain Iron, Minn.) and Grayson Grove (Alexandria, Minn.) signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Golden Gopher program in 2024. Asuma, a 6-3, 190-pound guard, plays for Cherry High School under Jordan Christianson. Grove, a 6-9, 230-pound forward, played for Alexandria High School under Forrest Witt. Both individuals also played in the AAU circuit with D1 Minnesota under former Gopher Jonathon Williams.
LAST GAME RECAP
• Dawson Garcia recorded a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds and tied his career-high with six assists, while Braeden Carrington had 13 points and Elijah Hawkins finished with 10 points to lead Minnesota (1-0) to an 80-60 win over Bethune-Cookman (0-1) in its season-opener at Williams Arena Monday.
• Minnesota, which won its ninth-straight season opener, led 46-22 at the half behind eight points and 11 rebounds from Garcia and eight points from Joshua Ola-Joseph. Minnesota connected on 15-of-24 (.625) first-half field goals, including 5-of-10 three-pointers.
• The Gophers stretched the lead to 27 points early in the second half, but BCU managed to cut the deficit to 10 points before Minnesota pulled away down the stretch. The Gophers finished the game shooting 52.2 percent (24-of-46) and making 27-of-35 (.771) free throws behind 14-of-16 from Garcia. Minnesota held BCU to just 23-of-70 (.329) field goals, including 4-of-18 (.222) three-point attempts.
GOPHERS VS. AAC
• The Golden Gophers hold a 18-17 record against current teams in the American Athletic Conference. AAC went through major changes to begin the 2023-24 season. USTA is one of six teams to join American in July of 2023, along with Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice and UAB.
• Prior to 2023, UTSA was in the Conference USA for 10 years after being in the Southland Conference from 1992-2012.
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS
• UTSA also opened the 2023-24 campaign Monday with a 78-68 overtime win at home against Western Illinois. The Roadrunners had five players in double-digit scoring, led by Christian Tucker with 18 and Trey Edmonds with 15. Carlton Linguard, Jr., had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
• The Roadrunners' 2023-24 team highlights 12 new roster additions. Only two players return from last year's squad. Tucker returns to the lineup after playing in 30 games with six starts – averaging 4.8 points, 1.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game. UTSA roster breakdown includes two seniors, 10 juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.
• The 2023-24 campaign marks the program's 43rd season of Roadrunner basketball and eighth under head coach Steve Henson.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota hosts the Missouri Tigers on Thurs., Nov. 16 at Williams Arena. Game time is slated for an 8 p.m. start on Big Ten Network.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network and KFAN 100.3 FM.
Broadcast: Peacock: Rich Lerner (play-by-play), John Giannini (color)
Tip Time: 6:32 p.m.
Radio: KTLK 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Tanner Hoops, Al Nolen)
Sirius: Sirius App
SERIES INFORMATION*
2nd Meeting (1-0 all time)
Last Time: 12/14/92, Williams Arena (W, 93-75)
Minnesota vs. American League: 18-17
* - excludes vacated games
TRAFFIC/BUILDING ADVISORY
It's a busy night on campus with Gopher men's basketball playing UTSA (6:30 p.m.) and Gopher Volleyball playing Purdue (6 p.m.) at Maturi Pavilion. When events simultaneously exist between Maturi Pavilion and Williams Arena, entry to Williams Arena will be available at:
-Oak Street entrance (east)
-University Avenue entrance (south)
-SE 4th St (north)
Due to the overlapping events at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion on Friday evening, Lot 58 pass holders will be redirected to the University Avenue Ramp once Lot 58 has reached capacity. Lot 58 passes will be accepted at the University Avenue Ramp on Friday evening. Fans who wish to exchange their pass in advance may respond to this email or email gophersports@umn.edu
Fans who have not obtained a parking pass are encouraged to purchase their parking in advance here. Fans who arrive on Friday without a parking pass should park in Lot 33, Maroon, Gold, Ski-U-Mah, or Gopher surface lots east of Huntington Bank Stadium or the Oak Street or Fourth Street Parking Ramps south and west of 3M Arena at Mariucci. Limited ADA space is available at University Avenue Ramp for fans with the appropriate state issued handicap designated tag or pass.
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is playing its second game this week when it hosts Texas San Antonio, Friday at 6:30 p.m. The game marks the first-ever Peacock broadcast and first of five this season. The Gophers and UTSA have met only one previous time in school history, dating back to 1992. Minnesota won that game, 93-75, also at Williams Arena on Dec. 14, 1992.
• Minnesota was one of 12 teams to win its season opener this week when the Gophers won, 80-60, against Bethune-Cookman Monday night. Two Big Ten teams fell to 0-1 when Rutgers lost on the road at Princeton and No. 4 Michigan State fell to James Madison at home.
• Dawson Garcia tallied a double-double Monday with 23 points, 14 rebounds and added six assists. He was one of three Big Ten individuals to record a double-double in the first game of the season. His 23 points also ranked second in the Big Ten, while no other person had six assists and a double-double in their first game of the season. The last time a Gopher opened the season with a double double was 11/5/19 when Daniel Oturu had 16 points, 10 rebounds in the 85-50 win over Cleveland State. The last time a Gopher made 10 free throws in a game dates back to 2021 when Marcus Carr had 13 at Penn State (3/3/21).
• Minnesota had five individuals make their Gopher debut Monday in Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., Jack Wilson, Parker Fox and Kadyn Betts. Isaiah Ihnen also stepped on Williams court for the first time since 2021. He and Fox both made a return to the court after back-to-back years of season-ending knee injuries. Braeden Carrington also made his first collegiate start in the win.
• Minnesota announced two additions during National Signing Day. Isaac Asuma (Mountain Iron, Minn.) and Grayson Grove (Alexandria, Minn.) signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Golden Gopher program in 2024. Asuma, a 6-3, 190-pound guard, plays for Cherry High School under Jordan Christianson. Grove, a 6-9, 230-pound forward, played for Alexandria High School under Forrest Witt. Both individuals also played in the AAU circuit with D1 Minnesota under former Gopher Jonathon Williams.
LAST GAME RECAP
• Dawson Garcia recorded a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds and tied his career-high with six assists, while Braeden Carrington had 13 points and Elijah Hawkins finished with 10 points to lead Minnesota (1-0) to an 80-60 win over Bethune-Cookman (0-1) in its season-opener at Williams Arena Monday.
• Minnesota, which won its ninth-straight season opener, led 46-22 at the half behind eight points and 11 rebounds from Garcia and eight points from Joshua Ola-Joseph. Minnesota connected on 15-of-24 (.625) first-half field goals, including 5-of-10 three-pointers.
• The Gophers stretched the lead to 27 points early in the second half, but BCU managed to cut the deficit to 10 points before Minnesota pulled away down the stretch. The Gophers finished the game shooting 52.2 percent (24-of-46) and making 27-of-35 (.771) free throws behind 14-of-16 from Garcia. Minnesota held BCU to just 23-of-70 (.329) field goals, including 4-of-18 (.222) three-point attempts.
GOPHERS VS. AAC
• The Golden Gophers hold a 18-17 record against current teams in the American Athletic Conference. AAC went through major changes to begin the 2023-24 season. USTA is one of six teams to join American in July of 2023, along with Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice and UAB.
• Prior to 2023, UTSA was in the Conference USA for 10 years after being in the Southland Conference from 1992-2012.
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS
• UTSA also opened the 2023-24 campaign Monday with a 78-68 overtime win at home against Western Illinois. The Roadrunners had five players in double-digit scoring, led by Christian Tucker with 18 and Trey Edmonds with 15. Carlton Linguard, Jr., had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
• The Roadrunners' 2023-24 team highlights 12 new roster additions. Only two players return from last year's squad. Tucker returns to the lineup after playing in 30 games with six starts – averaging 4.8 points, 1.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game. UTSA roster breakdown includes two seniors, 10 juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.
• The 2023-24 campaign marks the program's 43rd season of Roadrunner basketball and eighth under head coach Steve Henson.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota hosts the Missouri Tigers on Thurs., Nov. 16 at Williams Arena. Game time is slated for an 8 p.m. start on Big Ten Network.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network and KFAN 100.3 FM.
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Beat Fighting Camels
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Highlights: Gophers 78, Campbell 50
Sunday, December 21
Cade Tyson's 38 Point Performance
Tuesday, December 16
Highlights: Gophers 89, TX Southern 53
Sunday, December 14