The Gophers’ opening two regular-season games were over soon after tipoff, thanks to Minnesota’s stifling defense and huge scoring runs against lackluster competition.

Wednesday’s game will be on the other side of the spectrum.

Minnesota (2-0) heads on the road for a huge test against Missouri (3-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

After trouncing Gardner-Webb 87-62 and Alcorn State 95-50, the Gophers will face a Tigers team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year and is picked to finish seventh in a loaded Southeastern Conference this season.

“We get to test ourselves in a tough environment,” head coach Niko Medved told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday. “I’m interested to see how we do and if we can take the things that we’ve been able to do well so far and take it to the court.”

Missouri was one of the rare teams in the country to play three games in the opening week, but they were pushed by Southeast Missouri State in a 89-84 win on Friday. With each team having a few games under their belts, film study can now lead to real game plans to try to stop difference-makers.

There are a two key questions:

Can Missouri slow down Gophers wing Cade Tyson? The North Carolina transfer is averaging 25.5 points per game, while shooting 45% from 3-point range. And can Minnesota limit Mark Mitchell? The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging up 20.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. The former McDonald’s All-American, who started his career at Duke, is shooting nearly 70% from 2-point range.

“You can see when you watch the film why he’s an all-SEC player,” Medved said. “He has great length and athleticism. He is an incredible attacker of the rim, a guy who can drive it through a keyhole. He is so explosive. When he can get his shoulder on you and into the paint, he causes a ton of problems.”

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson figures to be one of the players tasked with defending Mitchell.

Another recruit?

Medved’s first recruiting class anticipates three players signing with the U on Wednesday: four-star forward Nolen Anderson from Wayzata; three-star center Chadrack Mpoyi from Irvine, Calif.; and three-star point guard Cedric Tomes of East Ridge.

Earlier this fall, Minnesota was looking to add another player to the group but now will probably hold at three high school additions for next year, Medved said.

Alums welcome

Former Gophers center John Thomas visited the U’s practice on Monday. He is the latest in a growing list of former players Medved has welcomed back to their alma mater.

“I was in college with John, too,” said Medved, who was a student manager for the Gophers from 1993-96. “We go way back. He’s one of my favorite people and favorite players. I loved the spirit that he brought to the game.”

Thomas played on the Gophers’ Final Four team in 1997 before going onto a pro career that included five years in the NBA. He was on the Timberwolves in 2004-05.

“It’s awesome to have these guys come back and be around and get a chance to speak to our players, and hopefully develop a connection with our players,” Medved said. “That is what it’s all about.”

Briefly

Confirming the weakness of Minnesota’s early schedule: Gardner-Webb lost to North Greenville, a Division II program, 92-81 on Monday. … Going into Tuesday’s games, Missouri is ranked 35th on the analytics site KenPom.com, while Minnesota has climbed to 64th.

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