The Gopher men's basketball haven't even started the season yet and they are already dealing with injuries.  Center Bakary Konate has a stress fracture and guard Nate Mason has a bone bruise on his knee.  Konate is expected to be out 3 weeks while Mason will miss 1 week.  Gopher head coach Richard Pitino said the Gopher received a scare with Mason.  He thought the injury could be a torn ACL but it is not.

Konate and Mason are expected to play key roles on this year's team.  Konate as a backup center last season averaged 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds last season as a freshman while Mason averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 assists a game as a backup guard last season.  Mason and Konate could both be starters this season.

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