SAN JUAN, P.R. -- Bakary Konate showed flashes of being the center of the future for the Gophers in Thursday's 75-70 loss to Temple at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
In his first career start, the 6-foot-11 sophomore finished with career-best 11 points, four rebounds and a block.
"Bakary's back," senior forward Joey King said. "He's playing tough under the rim. He's finishing his layups this year. He's doing a great job underneath. He's just making progress. We just want this positive game he had today to just really boost him to continue playing better and better."
Konate, who averaged four points and two rebounds entering Thursday's game, was considered the likely replacement for last season's starting center Mo Walker, a senior in 2014-15.