Garcia didn’t practice Monday but was participating in drills Tuesday — a good sign.
“I’ve learned quickly there’s very little I can control,” Johnson said. “Best case scenario you have to think short term and long term. We definitely want to be smart with something like that. If he can go great, that means he’s feeling good. If he can’t, we’ll figure it out like we always have.”
Versatile, high-scoring 6-11 players like Garcia are hard to find. The only player on the roster even close to his size is 6-10 senior Trey Edmonds, who had 12 points Saturday vs. Omaha. Senior Parker Fox already started more games this season than when he came back from two season-ending knee injuries last year.
“Luckily there aren’t any crazy, season-ending injuries,” Fox said. “I think the biggest thing is Coach Johnson always preaches that next man up mentality. … We believe in everybody in our locker room and whoever is available to play is going to be out there.”
A 6-8, 260-pound Canisius transfer, Frank Mitchell started the first two exhibition games for the Gophers at center alongside Garcia. Frank Mitchell had the chance to be one of the top frontcourt newcomers in the Big Ten after averaging 11.6 rebounds last season, fourth in the nation.
The Gophers are deeper in the backcourt this season to fill in with Mike Mitchell Jr.’s absence. Charlotte transfer Lu’Cye Patterson and Oregon transfer Brennan Rigsby have been starters in a three-guard lineup. Patterson, who had eight points and a team-best six assists vs. Omaha, picked up his play in the second half Saturday to contribute to the comeback victory.