The Gophers men’s basketball team’s top two scorers — Dawson Garcia and Mike Mitchell Jr. — combined for one point in the first half of Sunday’s game against Maryland.

The fact the Gophers weren’t trampled by Terrapins — trailing only 29-22 at the break before coming back to win 65-52 — is a testament to the balance and depth Minnesota has displayed this season.

The Gophers’ bench has outscored opponents in 14 of 15 games this season and the U has had at least five players score in double figures in six games.

Minnesota (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) will look to bring that versatility against Indiana (11-5, 3-2) at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.

In games against Maryland last season, head coach Ben Johnson was envious of the Terps’ depth.

“I just felt like every time we played them, you looked over and some new group (of players) was checking into the game,” Johnson said Wednesday. “It was just firepower after firepower, different lineups. They just overwhelmed you with rotations they could have.”

This season, the Gophers have nine players averaging 11 or more minutes per game and six scoring more than eight points per contest.

“We are a deep, balanced team,” said Garcia, who is averaging a team-best 16.7 rebounds, along with 7.6 points per game. “It could be a different guys night each and every night out. Just finding different ways. Our big thing as a team is just finding different ways to impact the game and impact winning because that’s all that matters.”

With Elijah Hawkins hunting for assists, Johnson said the pass-first point guard’s mindset can lead to teammates setting firmer screens, cutting harder and hustling more in general.

Hawkins is rewarding them and currently is second in the nation at 7.8 assists per game.

The Gophers have won seven straight games and are looking to use their depth to remain healthy for the dog days of the season come February and early March.

“That is when we have to be able to rely on our depth and rely on guys that have extended minutes,” Johnson said. “Hopefully those minutes mean we don’t have guys playing consistently over 34-35 minutes (per game). So you can hopefully remain healthier for longer.”

Johnson also sees the Gophers’ depth creating an opportunity to play small ball against certain opponents, with the return of versatile guard Braeden Carrington.

“Our ability to play different styles,” Johnson said. “… Be able to play four guards and a big. Us having the options to be able to adapt to anything, whether it’s two bigs or not, hopefully, will help us down the road.”

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