MINNEAPOLIS — The gravitation toward the Gophers for Niko Medved began even before he was born, when his father bought the season tickets that would soon spark his young son's passion for college basketball.

Roseville native and former Gophers men’s basketball assistant Niko Medved praised Williams Arena and sounded open to playing St. Thomas.

Medved, a Roseville native, is Minnesota’s next men’s basketball coach, the U announced Monday afternoon. The Gophers said Medved will have a six-year contract, which will need Board of Regents approval. He replaces Ben Johnson, who was let go earlier this month after four seasons.