Niko Medved was officially introduced as the 19th head coach of Gophers men’s basketball on Tuesday. During his introductory press conference, he touched on several key topics that shed light on his coaching philosophy and vision for the program.
Medved expressed a desire to restore Williams Arena, Minnesota’s historic venue, to its former glory. He wants opposing teams to be intimidated by playing in Dinkytown, rather than being complacent. This sentiment was echoed when he discussed potential rivalries with St. Thomas, with whom the Gophers had previously enjoyed an exclusive monopoly as Minnesota’s only Division I program.
Medved also demonstrated class and respect for his predecessor Ben Johnson, a key figure in Gopher basketball history. He acknowledged Johnson as “part of Gopher basketball history” and invited him to be part of the team. This gesture was seen as a classy move that showcased Medved’s appreciation for tradition.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that Dave Thorson would remain on the coaching staff. Thorson’s expertise and reputation in Minnesota basketball made his retention a foregone conclusion. Medved’s willingness to keep experienced coaches like Thorson is an indication of his commitment to building a strong team culture.
The coach also discussed the Gophers’ approach to Name Image Likeness (NIL) revenue sharing. Rather than pleading for donations, Medved emphasized the importance of creating a fan-driven model that would foster investment and growth. This forward-thinking approach will likely be crucial in navigating the changing landscape of college basketball revenue distribution.
With Medved at the helm, the focus shifts to building the 2025-26 roster. The coach expressed excitement about this new chapter in the program’s history and seems poised to make a lasting impact on Gopher men’s basketball.
Source: https://www.si.com/college/minnesota/gophers-basketball/5-biggest-takeaways-from-niko-medved-s-introductory-gophers-press-conference