Jamal Mashburn
FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020, file photo, Minnesota's Payton Willis drives the ball past Penn State's Myreon Jones during an NCAA college basketball game in Minneapolis. Willis is one of several transfers who joined new coach Ben Johnson’s team, after playing for Charleston last season. He was with Minnesota in 2019-20.(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
As Ben Johnson takes over, Gophers put the 'new' in new look

By Dave Campbell Oct. 20, 2021 05:35 PM EDT

Minnesota center Sam Freeman (32) and Ohio State forward Kyle Young (25) go up for a rebound in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 9 Ohio State ends skid, holds off Minnesota 79-75

By Michael Marot Mar. 11, 2021 05:58 PM EST

Washington State's Efe Abogidi (0) dunks against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio State Buckeyes 3/11/2021

Mar. 10, 2021 05:10 PM EST

Minnesota's Marcus Carr (5) shoots as Northwestern's Ryan Young, right, falls following a collision with Carr in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Buie, Northwestern rally past Minnesota in 2nd half, 67-59

Feb. 25, 2021 11:54 PM EST

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) shoots over Minnesota's Liam Robbins (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
No. 5 Illinois dominates Minnesota 94-63 for 7th win in row

By Dave Campbell Feb. 20, 2021 06:01 PM EST

Nebraska's Trey McGowens (2) drives around Minnesota's Gabe Kalscheur (22) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota loses Kalscheur for 3-4 weeks with broken finger

Feb. 19, 2021 03:02 PM EST

Indiana's Al Durham (1) is chased by Minnesota's Marcus Carr (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 82-72. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indiana pulls away in 2nd half, beats Minnesota 82-72

Feb. 17, 2021 11:52 PM EST

Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins, left, drives the floor against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in College Park, Md. (Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun via AP)
Wiggins scores 17 to lead Maryland past Minnesota 72-59

By David Ginsburg Feb. 14, 2021 10:14 PM EST

Purdue's Zach Edey (15) makes a pass to Mason Gillis, top right, amidst Minnesota defenders in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Late rally lifts Minnesota past No. 24 Purdue, 71-68

By Patrick Donnelly Feb. 11, 2021 07:37 PM EST

Rutgers center Myles Johnson (15) shoots as Minnesota forward Brandon Johnson (23) and center Liam Robbins (0) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP)
Baker lifts Rutgers to 4th straight win 76-72 over Minnesota

Feb. 04, 2021 11:43 PM EST

Minnesota's Marcus Carr, left, and Maryland's Donta Scott, right, reach for a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Maryland gets another road upset, 63-49 vs. No. 17 Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Jan. 23, 2021 04:32 PM EST

Ohio State's Justice Sueing, left, gets off a pass despite a collision with Minnesota's Liam Robbins in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Robbins leads No. 21 Minnesota past No. 25 Ohio State 77-60

By Dave Campbell Jan. 03, 2021 08:02 PM EST

Michigan State's Malik Hall (25) is fouled by Minnesota's Sam Freeman (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 81-56. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
No. 21 Minnesota beats bad-shooting No. 17 Mich. St. 81-56

By Dave Campbell Dec. 28, 2020 10:28 PM EST

FILE- In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo, Cleveland State plays against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game with no fans in the stands at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. This pandemic-altered season has turned into quite the isolation play. With campuses largely empty and arena doors closed to fans in many places, the games have more than ever been reduced to television programming. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Isolation play: College teams fend off holiday loneliness

By Dave Campbell Dec. 24, 2020 12:22 PM EST

Minnesota's Liam Robbins (0) blocks a shot by Boston College's Makai Ashton-Langford (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carr, Gach help Minnesota rally, beat Boston College in OT

Dec. 08, 2020 10:10 PM EST

Virginia's Jay Huff dunks as Towson's Charles Thompson defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memphis Tigers 11/26/2020

Nov. 25, 2020 02:28 PM EST

FILE - Drake's Liam Robbins, left, heads to the basket as Illinois State's Matt Chastain defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament in St. Louis. As coach Richard Pitino starts a pivotal eighth year at Minnesota, the Gophers will again try to bounce back from a bad season after finishing in 12th place in the Big Ten in 2019-20. Liam Robbins, one of three transfers and six newcomers on the roster, will attempt to replace departed star center Daniel Oturu. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Pitino, Gophers again have new look with trio of transfers

By Dave Campbell Nov. 10, 2020 06:15 PM EST