Minnesota basketball 2025-26 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation explored

The Niko Medved era begins in Minnesota. The most immediate change will be personnel. The Gophers have added nine transfer portal signees so far. Minnesota fans might not be able to tell the players without a roster, but here's an early look at how it might all stack up for Minnesota in 2025-26.

Minnesota basketball season preview for 2025-26

Northern Colorado guard Langston Reynolds could be a big portal grab for the Gophers in 2025-26. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Starting Lineup

Guard: Langston Reynolds

The 6-foot-4 guard was an All-Big Sky pick at Northern Colorado last year. He averaged 16.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Reynolds shot an astonishing 59%, including 41% from 3-point range. Given that kind of production, Reynolds figures to be a day-one starter for the Gophers.

Guard: Issac Asuma

The 6-foot-3 returning guard was significant to retain for Medved. A year ago, as a freshman, Asuma contributed 5.6 points and 2.9 boards per game. He seems ready for a substantial jump in production this year. He shot 36% from 3-point range and will be able to rely on that season of Big Ten experience that most of the roster will lack.

Forward: BJ Omot

An impressive forward at North Dakota, Omot went to Cal last season but played in just four games before injury ended his season. In his last full season, he averaged 16.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He scored 10.8 ppg in his brief trial run at Cal, shooting 35% from 3-point distance. He figures to add offensive punch to the UM lineup.

Forward: Bobby Durkin

A 6-foot-7 transfer from Davidson, Durkin averaged 13.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. He's a 36% 3-point shooter who should be comfortable as a wing scorer with the Gophers. Durkin will have to acclimate to the jump in competition in the Big Ten, but he's got a nice skill set that should help him with the change.

Forward: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson

A 6-foot-8 forward who played for Medved at Colorado State, Crocker-Johnson is a likely third forward for a team that seems to lack a true center. Last year, he averaged 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He also shot 35% from 3-point range, so if UM lacks a true center, they'll at least have another big capable of opening up the floor from outside.

Rotation Players

Transfer guard Chansey Willis from Western Michigan should see lots of minutes on the perimeter. North Carolina didn't have much use for forward Cade Tyson, but he was outstanding for two years at Belmont before that. Big men Robert Vaihola and Nehemia Turner are two more transfers who figure to get some post minutes.

Impact Players

With so many new faces, it's hard to be sure who will be the star, but Reynolds seems to have a high ceiling and an impressive motor. Anytime a lead scorer shoots 59% from a guard position, a team-first guy is the only logical implication. How quickly he can get used to Big Ten speed could be the story of Minnesota's season.

What do you think of Minnesota's new squad? Share your take in the comment section on the next group of Gophers.