The Minnesota Golden Gophers have appointed Niko Medved as their new head coach, a move celebrated by former player David Roddy. Roddy expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Medved for his influence on his growth as a player and a person. Roddy, who is a potential future signee with the Houston Rockets, emphasized the excitement surrounding Medved’s opportunity and urged Minnesotans to embrace the change. Meanwhile, the Gophers are looking to improve upon a disappointing season where they finished 7-13 in the Big Ten, sharing the bottom ranks with the USC Trojans.

The South Bay Lakers showcased a remarkable comeback against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, overcoming a significant halftime deficit to claim a 109-108 victory. Trailing 68-51 at halftime, the Lakers unleashed a dominating third quarter, outscoring the Vipers 34-12 and taking an 85-80 lead into the final frame. Cole Swider led the Lakers with 25 points, shooting 50% from the field, while Quincy Olivari contributed 25 points despite a rough shooting night.

David Roddy was a standout for the Vipers, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but it was not enough to secure the win. The Lakers' resilience highlights their potential in the G League as they aim for their sixth win in seven games.

Niko Medved of Colorado State is emerging as the front-runner for the Gophers’ men’s basketball head coach position, following the firing of Ben Johnson. Medved, 51, a Minnesota native and a former Gophers student manager, has a solid record of 140-84 over seven seasons at Colorado State, including two NCAA Tournament appearances. His current team, the Rams, is making a championship run in the Mountain West Tournament.

Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle emphasized the importance of efficiency in the hiring process. Medved’s financial situation is also noteworthy; his contract buyout at Colorado State stands at approximately $3.7 million. A significant development in his coaching career was the success of David Roddy, who became an All-American under Medved and was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.