Malick Kordel Powers Gophers to Season-Opening Win Over North Dakota

Gophers cruise past North Dakota 85-50 in season opener at The Barn

The Minnesota men’s basketball team defeated North Dakota 85-50 in their season opener at The Barn on Monday. Seven-foot-two center Malick Kordel scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded four dunks during an 18-0 second-half run that put the game out of reach.

Head coach Niko Medved pointed to Kordel’s physical presence on the floor. Fans see he’s big, he’s athletic and he just continues to get better and better, Medved said. He’s a load down there. I thought we did a good job of finding him. … His little run there in the second half, again, we had a lead, but I thought that really, really broke the game open for us.

Kordel Steps Into Expanded Role

Kordel transferred from Michigan after playing just 58 minutes across 14 games during the Wolverines’ national championship season a year ago. On Monday, he logged 15 minutes off the bench. Finally, I can play a bigger role than last year, Kordel said. … Still need some time to adjust, but feel great out there.

Where does Malick Kordel fit into Minnesota’s frontcourt rotation? We break down his Michigan numbers, strengths, areas for improvement and outlook for 2026-27. 👇 PROFILE: https://t.co/yiuE0jybGw

— https://x.com/MinnesotaOn3/status/2115098077795066176

Despite his second-half production, Kordel expressed disappointment with a slow start that saw him shoot 1 for 4 from the field before halftime. Obviously we have a great team, great teammates who trust me and still pass me the ball even if I didn’t finish the first two, he noted.

Scoring Depth and First-Half Control

Bobby Durkin led all scorers with 16 points for Minnesota, shooting 4 for 5 from beyond the arc in the first half alone. Durkin led five Gophers scoring in double figures, supported by Jaylen Crocker-Johnson with 15 points, while Isaac Asuma and Kordel added 13 points each.

Minnesota built a comfortable cushion early, leading by as many as 23 points before taking a 16-point advantage into the locker room at halftime. The Gophers recorded 13 assists on 15 field goals during the opening 20 minutes. North Dakota struggled significantly from the field to start the contest, hitting just 4 of their first 28 shots before making their final four attempts to finish the first half shooting 25%.

Roster Absences and Upcoming Schedule

Three Gophers were sidelined on Monday: Cade Tyson (eligibility case in federal court), Chadrack Mpoyi (NCAA eligibility issue), and Winters Grady, who has a little foot thing according to Medved.

Malick Kordel Powers Gophers to Season-Opening Win Over North Dakota — Photo: inforum.com

We are just trying to figure out if he’s going to be held to the new (five-for-five) rules eligibility-wise or the old rules, Medved said regarding Mpoyi. I don’t want to put him in a game potentially or do anything to risk a year of eligibility for him. Until he’s cleared that is what’s going on with him.

North Dakota, picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Summit League preseason poll, was led by Hopkins native Jayden Moore. The freshman guard came off the bench to score 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting. Minnesota holds a 21-2 record against North Dakota since 2014, following an 82-62 exhibition win last season.

The Gophers return to the court at 7 p.m. Friday to host St. Thomas, a team projected to finish second in the Summit League preseason poll.