The Niko Medved watch continues, as Colorado State beats Memphis in NCAA tournament

The buzz surrounding Niko Medved and Colorado State was palpable heading into the NCAA tournament.

Medved’s name came up as a strong candidate for both the Gophers and West Virginia coaching openings. The No. 12 seeded Rams were a popular pick to upset No. 5 seed Memphis in the West Region first round.

The hype surrounding Medved and his surging squad continues to build after Friday’s 78-70 comeback victory in Seattle.

A winner of 11 straight games, Colorado State (26-9) advanced to the second round for the first time since 2013. The Rams play Maryland on Sunday.

“This is what it’s all about,” Medved said at his postgame news conference. “The biggest stage and these guys finding a way to get the job done.”

Memphis (29-6) held a 36-31 halftime advantage and was 17-0 when leading at the half, but Colorado State brought that streak to an end.

Former Park Center standout Dain Dainja finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis, but he was held to seven points on 1-for-4 shooting in the second half.

“They were a lot tougher than we were in the last seven minutes of the first half,” Medved said. “Like this group always does, you challenge them. They look at each other and we all respond as a group. Boy, did we respond in the second half.”

Medved’s adjustments defensively included using a 2-3 zone and full court pressure to score 14 points off 16 Memphis turnovers. The Tigers also shot just 35% after the break.

Colorado State adjusted offensively to create opportunities for others after star Nique Clifford had 14 points on 3-for-13 shooting. Kyan Evans had a career-high 23 points on 6-for-9 three-point shooting.

“Down the stretch in the last eight minutes, we were the team getting the loose balls and the 50-50 plays,” Medved said. “Just when I don’t think this group can give us more, they just find another gear.”

The Rams weren’t even a lock to make their third NCAA tourney in the last four years under Medved until beating Boise State in the Mountain West tournament title game last week. They kept getting better.

“It’s the culture we built here,” senior Jalen Lake said. “We really take team together to heart, and it’s awesome. I think this culture is only going to keep growing.”

Medved’s future could be determined once he’s done coaching in this NCAA tournament.

A former Gophers assistant and Roseville native, Medved has not addressed any speculation about him being a favorite to return to his alma mater and replace Ben Johnson, who was fired after a 15-17 record in his fourth season.

Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle announced the hiring of Gophers women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit quickly after she lost with West Virginia in the 2023 NCAA tournament.

“I always try to be respectful to coaches who are coaching in the postseason,” Coyle told the Star Tribune last week. “Their most important thing is to focus on their current teams and those current student-athletes. Once Dawn finished her season with West Virginia, then we had some pretty intense conversations with her and named her our head coach a day or two after that game.”

Last year, Medved was reportedly involved with West Virginia’s opening until the Mountaineers hired Darian DeVries, three days after his Drake team lost in the NCAA tournament first round against Washington State.

West Virginia is looking for another head coach now that DeVries has left to replace Mike Woodson at Indiana. West Virginia has much to offer, too.

“Our rev share numbers are very strong,” West Virginia AD Wren Baker told local reporters. “Our NIL support is very good.”

Coyle told the Star Tribune that the Gophers are willing to invest more money into their men’s basketball program under the next coach, as well.

“President [Rebecca] Cunningham has been awesome in her support,” Coyle said. “She understands for us to compete at the highest level in the Big Ten, we have to stretch ourselves. So, we’re prepared to do that. But it will ultimately depend on who we hire, the type of experience they have and what they bring to Minnesota.”