There were the positives – such as Kris Humphries abusing any defensive player attempting to guard him – for Minnesota’s men’s basketball team.
There also were areas that immediately drew concern from Gophers coach Dan Monson.
Saturday was the public’s first opportunity to see this year’s Gophers team, and an estimated 2,000 fans showed up to Williams Arena to witness an offensive shootout from stars and subs.
The final score of the Gold’s 86-65 win over the Maroon squad means little, other than exposing Minnesota fans to the good and bad.
Humphries, a highly touted freshman out of Hopkins High School, dominated early and often.
The forward finished with 34 points on an assortment of dunks, jump shots and in-the-paint scoring.
“Kris has been very good,” Monson said. “I have been saying that all along.”
Humphries’ Gold team might be an indication of the season’s starting lineup for its exhibition game Nov. 7 against Concordia-St. Paul.
The five were Humphries, Michael Bauer, Moe Hargrow, Ben Johnson and Adam Boone.
However, it is not known yet where center Jeff Hagen will fit in. Hagen injured his cheek Thursday at practice and was the only player to not participate Saturday.
The 7-footer is still day-to-day, according to Monson.
“We had five of our better players starting (on the Gold team),” Monson said. “We definitely have to get Hagen healthy.”
Hagen’s absence was noticed in Minnesota’s exposed front court, which struggled to rebound.
Rebounding woes were also a concern last year.
“We didn’t rebound well at all,” Humphries said. “We need to make more of an effort to get to the glass.”
Two players recovering from off-season injuries appeared at nearly full strength and saw extended game action.
Hargow, who still has a bandage on his right wrist, scored 17 points.
Bauer is still regaining the spring in his step. Some of Bauer’s shots fell short, evidence of the senior’s recovery from an ankle injury.
“It’s the little things, like my explosiveness,” Bauer said. “I felt a lot less rusty.”
Another Gophers player making his debut to the hometown faithful was Boone, a transfer from North Carolina.
Boone said he felt comfortable running the Gophers offense.
“We aren’t where we want to be yet,” the point guard said. “But we are getting there.”
Minnesota’s first chance to compete against players not on the Gophers team will be Friday.
• Dan Coleman, who must sit out this season after taking summer classes at Boston College, scored 19 points to lead the Maroon team.
Wooldridge to redshirt?
Kerry Wooldridge scored 10 points Saturday, and Monson said the game showed the freshman was improving.
Wooldridge must decide whether to redshirt by the Gophers’ first game.
The 6-foot-8 California native earned Monson’s praise, but the Gophers coach said one game doesn’t determine a season.
“We think Kerry is going to be a good player,” Monson said. “But we aren’t going to decide his season on one scrimmage.”