The Gophers lost their top big man, Daniel Oturu, to the NBA draft this year, but they are expecting to get back their most experienced frontcourt player.
Men's basketball coach Richard Pitino said on Tuesday's conference call that redshirt senior Eric Curry will be available to play in the season opener after recovering from a season-ending knee injury last season.
The Gophers are expecting to open next Wednesday against Wisconsin-Green Bay at Williams Arena.
"If we had a game today he'd play," Pitino said. "He's always been a good leader, but the challenging part has been staying on the court. We look better when he's out there. He makes me look like a better coach. He does the right things. He just understands how to play."
Curry, a newly named captain with junior guards Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur, supported his teammates and coaches from the bench last season.
The 6-9, 240-pound Memphis native also mentored Oturu, who had a breakout All-America season as a sophomore and will likely get picked in Wednesday's NBA draft.
Curry's experience should help the U's new starting center Liam Robbins, a 7-foot transfer from Drake.
Since last October, Curry worked diligently to recover from his second torn anterior cruciate ligament. He was expected to be a valuable backup at both frontcourt positions last season before suffering a right knee injury in a preseason practice.
