Once the Gophers men’s basketball team completed its runaway 80-56 exhibition win over North Dakota State on Oct. 16 and Niko Medved wrapped up his news conference, the new head coach shared a parting thought as he left the Williams Arena interview room.

“Wish it counted,” Medved said with a laugh.

Minnesota played well over the final 30 minutes in its first of two tune-up games. That was especially true for transfer wing Cade Tyson, who scored a game-high 28 points.

The Gophers’ second exhibition game is noon Saturday against North Dakota at The Barn. The season opener is Nov. 3 against Gardner-Webb.

Among the U’s nine new transfers, Tyson represents one of the most intriguing incoming players this season. The Monroe, N.C., native started his career at Belmont in Nashville, averaging

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