wctrib
Following his team's 72-52 exhibition victory over Omaha at The Barn on Thursday, Gophers men's basketball coach Niko Medved didn't hold back his frustration regarding the NCAA's new five-for-five eligibility rule. Medved, who initially supported the rule when it was approved in June, now feels the NCAA mishandled its implementation, particularly by making class of 2022 student-athletes ineligible. He expressed his discontent for over seven minutes, stating the NCAA "ambushed us" by starting the rule during the 2026-27 academic calendar.
At the center of the controversy is Cade Tyson, the Gophers' leading scorer last season, whose eligibility remains in limbo. Tyson is one of approximately 300 college basketball players in this group currently on rosters, with more than 100 already eligible. The outcome for Tyson and others depends on a federal appeals court ruling after a three-judge panel in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard the NCAA's appeal on Tuesday but has yet to decide. Medved didn't mince words: "Basically, fate (of) your season, or maybe going to the NCAA tournament, depends on having a friendly judge? It's embarrassing."
Key Analysis
Medved questioned the NCAA's foresight and legal strategy, suggesting the organization failed to anticipate that players would challenge their eligibility in court. "Boy, they better question who they have on their legal team," he said. He also criticized the NCAA for creating chaos, adding, "if they did know this was going to happen, they should be ashamed of themselves to put players and coaches (in these situations)." Medved believes many coaches share his view, having gotten that impression during a recent call with board members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He advocates for letting the players play: "I think the best decision they could make in a bad circumstance right now is to let these guys play."
With the Gophers' season opener on Nov. 2, Medved is seeking a resolution, even jokingly asking, "Can you call (NCAA president) Charlie Baker for me?" He acknowledged the opposing viewpoint—that programs which didn't add players from the 2022 class feel it's unfair to compete against them—and conceded, "There's merit to that." However, if Tyson remains ineligible, the Gophers could be at a disadvantage, especially against Cincinnati on Nov. 9. Bearcats guard MJ Collins might gain eligibility through Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order allowing class of 2022 athletes at Ohio universities to play if they didn't pursue professional careers. Collins averaged 17.5 points per game at Utah State last season. Medved wondered, "What's to stop other (governors) from doing it?" and predicted, "I don't know where this is going, but I have a feeling if you can even imagine that, it's actually going to get more chaotic."
Medved's primary concern is Tyson's well-being. The North Carolina native sat at the end of the bench during Thursday's exhibition, which may have fueled his coach's passion. "He's here, having no answers, not knowing what's going to happen," Medved said. "I think that's really, really difficult for him. I know he had a really hard time (Thursday) having to sit and watch this and not be able to play."
Originally reported by wctrib.