Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson gave a perplexed look when asked if he knew his starting lineup for Thursday's exhibition game against Macalester.
"Some will determine that in practice today, believe it or not," Johnson said Wednesday. "We're finally in a position where they are competitive practices now. We got some bodies, so that will be determined."
Johnson really has a number of different directions he could go with his starters and rotation when the Gophers open the regular season Monday against Bethune-Cookman at Williams Arena.
The Gophers used seven different starting lineups last season — and there might be some juggling early this year to see what works best. There are four returnees and eight scholarship players who are either newcomers or didn't play last season due to injury or redshirting.
"That's why the scrimmage is important," Johnson said. "That's why the exhibition game is important. You obviously want to play well and that's important. But you have to figure out who does play well together."
The only player likely with the same role as last season will be All-Big Ten preseason forward Dawson Garcia, the U's returning scoring and rebounding leader.
Garcia, who averaged 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 31.8 minutes last season, started in all 26 games played. Sophomore Joshua Ola-Joseph has the second-most starts returning with 24.
In the Big Ten tournament loss to Maryland, Garcia and Ola-Joseph started alongside Ta'Lon Cooper, Jaden Henley, and Jamison Battle. Cooper (South Carolina), Henley (DePaul) and Battle (Ohio State) all transferred out of the program. So, there will at least be three different starters this season.