Gophers Poised to Become an Elite Three-Point Shooting Team in 2026-27

Early signs point towards shooting being a significant strength for Minnesota next season.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game broken down into overlapping, angular planes of navy blue, crimson red, and gold, capturing the dynamic energy and potential of the Gophers' new three-point shooting lineup.The Gophers' new roster of elite three-point shooters could reshape the team's offensive identity and lead to a successful 2026-27 season.Charlotte Today

The Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team is expected to have a strong three-point shooting lineup in the 2026-27 season, with several key transfers and incoming freshmen who have proven themselves as elite shooters at the high school and college levels. The team's returning players also show potential for improvement in their three-point shooting abilities.

Why it matters

Developing a potent three-point shooting attack will be crucial for the Gophers to compete at an elite level in the Big Ten conference and potentially make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Three-point shooting has become an increasingly important part of the modern college game, and the Gophers appear poised to take advantage of this trend.

The details

The Gophers' roster features several players who have demonstrated their three-point shooting prowess. Returning starter Bobby Durkin led the Big Ten in three-point attempts last season and made 39.2% of his shots from beyond the arc. Transfers Winters Grady, Kyan Evans, and Nolan Groves all have a history of being elite three-point shooters at their previous schools, and the Gophers' incoming freshman class includes two highly touted sharpshooters in Nolen Anderson and Cedric Tomes. Even the Gophers' other returning players, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Isaac Asuma, have shown the potential to improve their three-point shooting.

  • The Gophers had a busy week with four transfer portal additions in April 2026.
  • The 2026-27 season will be the first year the Gophers will have this new-look, three-point-heavy roster.

The players

Bobby Durkin

A returning starter for the Gophers, Durkin led the Big Ten in three-point attempts last season and made 39.2% of his shots from beyond the arc.

Winters Grady

A transfer from Michigan, Grady built a reputation as an elite shooter at the high school level, making 42% of his three-pointers in his final AAU season.

Kyan Evans

A transfer from North Carolina, Evans was one of the best three-point shooting guards in the country during the 2024-25 season at Colorado State, making 44.6% of his threes.

Nolan Groves

A transfer who struggled last season, Groves was an elite scorer in high school, averaging 34.1 points per game as a senior, suggesting he has the potential to be a strong shooter at the college level.

Nolen Anderson

An incoming freshman, Anderson shot 45% from three-point range during his final AAU season with D1 Minnesota.

Cedric Tomes

Another incoming freshman, Tomes averaged over 30 points per game as a senior in high school and is known for his scoring ability.

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What’s next

The Gophers will look to integrate their new three-point shooting talent into the lineup during the offseason and preseason, with the goal of having a well-oiled, high-powered offense ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The Gophers' offseason roster additions have transformed them into a potential three-point shooting juggernaut, which could make them a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten and on the national stage next season. Their ability to develop chemistry and consistency from deep will be a key factor in their success.