INJURY UPDATE: Gophers Basketball Star Likely to Make Debut!

Lu’Cye Patterson missed the opening exhibition game due to a shoulder injury, but is anticipated to play against Hamline on Tuesday. Senior guard Femi Odukale is still being evaluated on a day-to-day basis for a hip injury.

The Gophers basketball coach Ben Johnson anticipates that Lu’Cye Patterson, a potential starting guard, will play for the first time in the last exhibition game against Hamline at Williams Arena on Tuesday night.

Patterson, originally from Minneapolis but now playing for Charlotte, was unable to participate in the Oct. 19 victory over Bemidji State due to a shoulder injury. Another senior guard, Femi Odukale, is currently in the process of recuperating from a minor hip problem.

Johnson expressed his hope of involving Lu’Cye in the game during Monday’s practice. “Femi will continue to be evaluated daily, but it’s not a major concern.” I believe it has to do more with the connection I want to ensure.

Patterson is a potential candidate for splitting point guard responsibilities alongside Mike Mitchell Jr., who is already on the team. At 6-2 and weighing 210 pounds, Patterson, a former standout at Minnesota Prep, had averages of 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season as part of the All-American Conference.

“Mitchell commented on Lu’Cye’s ability to score at all three levels following the first exhibition game.” “He’s a passer who doesn’t receive enough recognition.”

What changes can be expected in the Gophers’ backcourt in the upcoming game against Hamline? Johnson predicts that someone will probably receive less time on the field.

Johnson mentioned that the difficulty lies in incorporating a component alongside Lu’Cye. I desire to capture everyone on camera. I wish to offer everyone a chance and just get a sense of our current situation. There will likely be more variability in the game’s duration with a few extra players.

During the initial exhibition game, Brennan Rigsby, who transferred from Oregon, scored 17 points while playing alongside Mitchell in the starting backcourt. Mitchell contributed with 19 points and eight assists, leading the team. Together, they made seven out of the team’s nine shots from beyond the arc.

“We have a few players out, but I believe we all approach the game in a similar manner,” Rigsby mentioned following the victory over Bemidji State. Adding in an extra person now and again isn’t a major issue.

The Gophers expect the 6-6 Odukale from New Mexico State to provide support in all three perimeter positions if he is in good condition this season.

Johnson may not have his outside player lineup sorted out — involving Mitchell, Rigsby, Patterson, Odukale, sophomore Kadyn Betts and freshman Isaac Asuma — ahead of the Nov. 6 game against Oral Roberts.

Betts scored six points while playing as a wing for 20 minutes. Asuma made a strong first impression in his first game for the Gophers, contributing eight points, eight assists, and two blocks coming off the bench against Bemidji State.

Johnson mentioned that senior forward Dawson Garcia, who is the returning scoring leader, may be limited to playing no more than 20 minutes in the game against Hamline. The Gophers aim to help other newcomers feel at ease in a larger role.

“Men who can contribute something coming in as substitutes,” Johnson stated. If you start playing early in the year, it is likely that you will see more players being given a chance. You hope to achieve a nine or 10-point score with the player rotation.