When the Gophers employed Ben Johnson as males’s basketball coach 4 years in the past, Niko Medved was in his third season at Colorado State.
Medved hadn’t reached the NCAA match but in eight years as a head coach, together with at Furman and Drake.
The U alum and Minnesota native has made three NCAA tournaments since then. He was near taking Colorado State to its first Candy 16 however misplaced on a buzzer-beater Sunday evening.
Medved watched as Derik Queen nailed a shot off the backboard as time expired to smash the upset bid for the No. 12-seeded Rams in a 72-71 loss to No. 4 seed Maryland in Seattle.
With six seconds left, senior guard Jalen Lake nailed a three-pointer for a one-point lead that appeared to be sufficient to provide the Rams the possibility to advance.
“Completely gut-wrenching loss for these guys,” Medved stated in his postgame information convention. “I believed we did nearly every thing proper. It was an unbelievable school basketball sport. Each groups going at it, making an attempt to struggle to go to the Candy 16.”
The Rams (26-10) had a historic 12 months come to an finish. They received an NCAA match sport in back-to-back seasons for the primary time. They reached the NCAA second spherical for the primary time since 2013. They received the Mountain West match for the primary time in 22 years.
On Sunday, Medved’s Princeton-style offense confused Maryland early to take a 37-30 halftime benefit. Guard Nique Clifford, an NBA prospect, had 12 of his 21 factors within the first half.
Of their first-round victory Friday towards fifth-seeded Memphis, the Rams trailed 36-31 at halftime, however they rallied to attain 47 factors within the second half within the 78-70 victory.
The Terrapins, who completed tied for second within the Massive Ten common season, used a 9-0 run to take a 68-64 lead with 2:30 to play in Sunday’s sport, however the Rams responded with a 7-2 run. Issues regarded bleak for Maryland till Queen’s final shot, which appeared to return after he traveled.
Associated Protection
“I believed we defended that final play fairly effectively,” Medved stated. “It’s about all we might ask for. And [Queen] made an … unbelievable shot. That’s what occurs in March Insanity.”
Maryland freshman Derik Queen places up his profitable shot towards Colorado State’s Ethan Morton (25) on Sunday evening. (Ryan Solar)
Medved, a former Rams assistant, has not but addressed the hypothesis that he may depart Colorado State for the Gophers or every other job. He has a 143-85 document in seven years in Fort Collins.
“Coach Medved is definitely an elite coach,” Rams athletic director John Weber instructed a Colorado radio station. “When he’s had that degree of success, there’s at all times going to be folks which are knocking in your door.”
Medved signed a contract extension final 12 months with Colorado State by way of the 2030-31 season. His buyout was reportedly $1.8 million, or 33% of his remaining base wage owed.
The Gophers fired Johnson after he completed 15-17 in his fourth season. He had two years left on his contract by way of the 2026-27 season, and his buyout was $2.9 million.
Gophers assistant coach Dave Thorson has been accountable for the group as interim coach since Johnson’s dismissal on March 13, following a Massive Ten match loss to Northwestern.
Thorson coached with Medved at Drake and Colorado State for 4 seasons from 2017 to ’21.
Medved’s identify surfaced shortly as somebody the Gophers had heavy curiosity in along with his Minnesota ties, together with time as a former Gophers assistant and pupil supervisor.
Coyle additionally stated he would respect head coaches concerned with the search who’re at the moment main their groups within the NCAA match. So the Gophers needed to play the ready sport till Medved or one other candidate reached the top of their season.
“It’s only a season you by no means wish to finish,” Medved stated. “It’s simply been an unimaginable journey. And it goes by so quick.”
