To say the Gophers men’s basketball team started slow Wednesday is an understatement. Playing without starting point guard Mike Mitchell Jr., Minnesota couldn’t get anything going offensively

Center Dawson Garcia played despite a groin injury, and starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and four others were absent for the Gophers.

Dawson Garcia continues his hot start to the 2024-25 season, but the rest of the Gopher roster struggled to contribute on offense as the North Texas Mean Green came into The Barn and beat Minnesota 54-51.

North Texas completely controlled the tempo of the first half. The Mean Green came into the game playing the fourth-slowest pace in the country, and the Gophers fell right into th