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Biggest takeaways from Gophers' blowout exhibition win over Omaha
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- Biggest takeaways from Gophers' blowout exhibition win over Omaha
We're still more than two weeks away from the Gophers' regular-season opener against North Dakota, but we got our first look at the 2026-27 team in a live setting in a 72-52 exhibition win against Omaha. Here's what we learned.
Malick Kordel vs. Grayson Grove
It's hard to miss a 7-foot-2 big man, but Kordel is one of the most physically imposing players that Minnesota has had in quite a while. I was a bit surprised to see Grove get the starting nod over the Michigan transfer, but it will be interesting to see how both of their roles change throughout the season.
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Kordel is certainly still raw in terms of pure basketball skills, but his potential is undeniable. A frontcourt trio of Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Grove and Kordel is enough to match up defensively with anyone in the Big Ten. Kordel finished with a team-high 13 points on 5 of 5 shooting from the field, and I remain quite bullish on his long-term future with the program.
Nolan Groves and Kai Shinholster
After Minnesota added Winters Grady and Malachi Palmer from the transfer portal, and signed Nolen Anderson as part of its incoming freshman class, the roles for Groves and Shinholster on this season's team became a huge question. Thursday was enough evidence to realize they will both be a part of the rotation when fully healthy.
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Groves and Shinholster combined for just 12 total points, Palmer played just seven minutes, Anderson entered the game for the first time in the second half, and Grady didn't at all. It's important not to overreact to exhibition games, but it's clear who Niko Medved and his staff favor in their wing rotation off the bench.
Winters Grady
Many outlets considered Grady to be Minnesota's top transfer portal addition of the offseason. He didn't check into the game until late in the second half, meaning his role is probably not impacted by injury, and it's clear that he's not currently part of the Gophers' rotation. It will be interesting to see if that changes as the season goes on.
Things start and end with Kyan Evans
When the Gophers needed a bucket last season, they leaned on Cade Tyson. Whether or not they can do that again this season remains tied up with his eligibility case in the courtrooms. Without Tyson, Minnesota's top offensive playmaker might be Evans.
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The North Carolina transfer guard had a great season in 2024-25 with Medved at Colorado State, and he's their top guard again this season. He finished with just eight points on 3-for-7 shooting, but his seven assists and four steals should inspire confidence for the Gophers with him at point guard.
What's next?
Minnesota will have one more exhibition on Friday, Oct. 23, against Creighton on the road. That game should be a much better measuring stick against a formidable Big East opponent before the Gophers open regular-season play on Nov. 2 against North Dakota.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
