A disappointing season has continued to spiral into the offseason for Minnesota’s men’s basketball team.
The Gophers, who finished tied for last place in the Big Ten this last season with a 3-13 record, lost their fourth scholarship player Wednesday when forward Stan Gaines announced he will transfer.
Gaines joined the starting lineup Jan. 10 and started 17 games. He averaged 5.5 points and 3.2 rebounds this season.
After struggling as a freshman, Gaines improved during his sophomore campaign and was expected to be a key contributor to the Gophers next season.
“I met with Stan (on Wednesday) and he feels it’s in his best interest to transfer,” Gophers coach Dan Monson said in a statement. “We are sorry to see him leave the program, but we wish him the best of luck as he continues his basketball career.”
Gaines’ departure marks the fourth player to leave the program in the last three months.
Gaines’ good friend on the team, wing Moe Hargrow, left to play for Arkansas in January. Since then, forward Kris Humphries declared himself eligible for the NBA draft and center Aliou Kane announced he will transfer to a junior college.
The Gophers will be heavily dependent on newcomers next season. Only four players who saw playing time last season – Adam Boone, Brent Lawson, Aaron Robinson and Jeff Hagen – will return.
Next year’s roster will include three freshmen who redshirted this last season, three incoming recruits and two junior college transfers, whom Minnesota will officially announce today.
Kane narrows options
Aliou Kane, who announced last month he was transferring from Minnesota’s men’s basketball team, has narrowed his college choices.
Kane, a reserve center who only saw action in 17 games last season, said he wants to play for a junior college team before returning to Division I basketball.
“I am looking at two or three schools,” Kane said.
The 6-foot-10-inch post player visited Dixie College in Utah. He is also looking at a school near his hometown of Dallas.
Kane said he hopes to have a decision by the end of the month.
