Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson had his deepest team yet before the season, but now, he could possibly be out multiple starters and reserves for Wednesday’s home game against North Texas, including leading scorer Dawson Garcia.
Already missing Mike Mitchell Jr., Gophers might not have Dawson Garcia on Wednesday, either
Dawson Garcia is a game-time decision with a groin injury, and Mike Mitchell Jr., is out possibly for two weeks recovering from an ankle injury.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
November 13, 2024 at 2:36AM
Garcia is questionable after being limited this week with a groin injury. And Johnson said Tuesday that senior guard Mike Mitchell Jr. is sidelined possibly for two weeks with a bad ankle sprain suffered in Saturday’s 68-64 victory against Nebraska Omaha.
“You obviously don’t want to lose bodies,” Johnson said. “But it’s an opportunity for guys to get experience and get on the floor. Everybody wants to play. Now, they got their chance to showcase what they can do to impact winning.”
Sophomore forward Kadyn Betts (heel) and senior guard Caleb Williams (mono) are out Wednesday. Junior big man Frank Mitchell (shoulder), who has yet to play, is possibly a game-time decision. Senior guard Tyler Cochran began the season out until December following foot surgery.
Mike Mitchell Jr., who had nine assists in the season-opening victory against Oral Roberts, landed awkwardly on his lower left leg after a contested layup in the second half Saturday against Omaha. It was a scary scene when he had to be helped to the locker room and didn’t return to the bench.
“The good thing is there was no break or anything significant,” Johnson said on Mitchell. “You could say it would be four weeks, but it could really be two. It just depends on what type of healer he is. We know we won’t have him for this week and probably next week.”
Garcia and Mitchell were Johnson’s only returning starters from last season’s 19-victory NIT team. Garcia is averaging a career-high 27 points to go with 7.5 rebounds. Mitchell is averaging a team-best 6.0 assists through two games this season.
Last season, Garcia missed four games with a bone bruise on his right foot. He also was out for several weeks during the summer after having surgery on his left foot. Garcia’s latest injury might not be long term if handled carefully in nonconference play. The biggest games coming up are at the ESPN Events Invitational against Wichita State and possibly Wake Forest or Florida. And the early Big Ten games on Dec. 4 vs. Michigan State and Dec. 9 at Indiana.
Garcia didn’t practice Monday but was participating in drills Tuesday — a good sign.
“I’ve learned quickly there’s very little I can control,” Johnson said. “Best case scenario you have to think short term and long term. We definitely want to be smart with something like that. If he can go great, that means he’s feeling good. If he can’t, we’ll figure it out like we always have.”
Versatile, high-scoring 6-11 players like Garcia are hard to find. The only player on the roster even close to his size is 6-10 senior Trey Edmonds, who had 12 points Saturday vs. Omaha. Senior Parker Fox already started more games this season than when he came back from two season-ending knee injuries last year.
“Luckily there aren’t any crazy, season-ending injuries,” Fox said. “I think the biggest thing is Coach Johnson always preaches that next man up mentality. ... We believe in everybody in our locker room and whoever is available to play is going to be out there.”
A 6-8, 260-pound Canisius transfer, Frank Mitchell started the first two exhibition games for the Gophers at center alongside Garcia. Frank Mitchell had the chance to be one of the top frontcourt newcomers in the Big Ten after averaging 11.6 rebounds last season, fourth in the nation.
The Gophers are deeper in the backcourt this season to fill in with Mike Mitchell Jr.’s absence. Charlotte transfer Lu’Cye Patterson and Oregon transfer Brennan Rigsby have been starters in a three-guard lineup. Patterson, who had eight points and a team-best six assists vs. Omaha, picked up his play in the second half Saturday to contribute to the comeback victory.
Johnson said freshman Isaac Asuma and senior Femi Odukale will get extended minutes without Mike Mitchell Jr. available. The Gophers might go small if Garcia’s limited and use Odukale in frontcourt and backcourt roles.
Cameron Begalle, the state’s fifth-ranked recruit in his class, posted that he is reopening his recruiting.
