Gophers men’s basketball to be without potential starter Frank Mitchell for opener

Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that potential starting big man Frank Mitchell will be sidelined for Wednesday night’s opener against Oral Roberts because of a shoulder injury.

Mitchell suffered a dislocated right shoulder after diving for a steal at midcourt in last week’s exhibition win over Hamline. He wasn’t wearing a sling Tuesday and won’t require surgery, but Mitchell’s status is week-to-week, according to Johnson.

“It’s seeing how much strength he can get back in the shoulder,” Johnson said. “It could be realistic for next week, so we’ll see how he feels.”

Mitchell, a 6-8, 260-pound junior transfer from Canisius averaged, 12.1 points and 11.6 rebounds, the latter of which ranked fourth in Division I last season. He started both Gophers exhibition games in the frontcourt alongside All-Big Ten preseason forward Dawson Garcia.

Oral Roberts has one player taller than 6-8 on its roster, so the Gophers hope being down a key player inside will not be a significant factor Wednesday night.

“The good part in the nonconference with size is sometimes it’s hard when you play two bigs,” Johnson said. “Some of these teams will go small-ball to try to match it.”

Replacing Mitchell’s minutes in the post rotation will likely be 6-8 senior Parker Fox, 6-8 sophomore Kadyn Betts and 6-10 senior newcomer Trey Edmonds, who transferred from Texas San Antonio. Betts had primarily been used as a reserve wing last season.

“Now you’re able to slide KB over a little bit and get him some extended run,” Johnson said. “Thankfully, if we’re going to have injuries, have it early. You can go small and give other guys looks.”

The Gophers had more true center depth last season with 6-11 Jack Wilson and 6-9 Pharrel Payne. Wilson graduated and is now pursuing in NFL career as an offensive lineman. Payne transferred to Texas A&M. Mitchell was the best candidate to man the middle, but Garcia has played the position in the past.

At 6-11 and 235, Garcia has the size to be an inside presence, and he has improved as a defender during his career with the Gophers.

“My biggest impact is being a defensive anchor for us,” he said. “Just calling out things before they happen and getting guys in the right spot. I feel like that’s something I’ve seen from myself and [I’m] proud of myself in practice so far.”

Senior wing Femi Odukale is expected to make his Gophers debut Wednesday after missing the two exhibition games because of a hip injury.

Odukale, a 6-6 New Mexico State transfer, spent several years during his childhood in St. Cloud, so he will have family in attendance from Minnesota. The Gophers are counting on Odukale’s versatility to help them at several positions this season.

Johnson said Odukale played all three perimeter spots and power forward at New Mexico State.

“He just brings a different piece for us,” Johnson said. “He’s versatile. He can defend. You guys will see, he’s got a real good pace to his game. Never gets sped up. Really sees the floor. ... He’s got a calming presence to him. He finds ways to get guys shots.”