Payton Willis

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot and College of Charleston center Osinachi Smart (33) struggle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Charleston Cougars at North Carolina Tar Heels 11/25/2020

Nov. 25, 2020 06:58 PM EST

FILE - In this March 6, 2020, file photo, Northern Iowa's AJ Green (4) has his shot blocked by Drake's Liam Robbins (21) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament in St. Louis. Minnesota has added two accomplished frontcourt players to the roster, bringing in Liam Robbins from Drake and Brandon Johnson from Western Michigan. The Gophers announced the signing of both big men on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Gophers get big men transfers Liam Robbins, Brandon Johnson

Apr. 15, 2020 03:28 PM EDT

Northwestern's Pete Nance (22) works the ball against Minnesota's Isaiah Ihnen (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Gophers use strong 2nd half to pull away from Northwestern

By Michael Marot Mar. 11, 2020 08:20 PM EDT

Indiana's Joey Brunk (50) shoots over Minnesota's Daniel Oturu (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Hoosiers earn crucial victory, 72-67, sweep Golden Gophers

By Michael Marot Mar. 04, 2020 09:21 PM EST

Indiana's Jerome Hunter knocks the ball away from Minnesota's Daniel Oturu during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Jackson-Davis career game leads Indiana past Minnesota 68-56

By Dave Campbell Feb. 19, 2020 11:26 PM EST

Minnesota's Payton Willis (0) gets the ball after Wisconsin's D'Mitrik Trice and Minnesota's Gabe Kalscheur (22) fell to the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

Gophers, Willis hope guard keeps going after breakout game

By Dave Campbell Feb. 07, 2020 06:14 PM EST

Wisconsin's Brad Davison (34) dribbles next to Minnesota's Gabe Kalscheur (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

Willis, sharpshooting Minnesota romp past Wisconsin 70-52

By Dave Campbell Feb. 05, 2020 11:26 PM EST

Rutgers' historic Big Ten start continues, beats Minnesota

By Matt Sugam Jan. 19, 2020 05:51 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell doesn’t want to talk about his team potentially being ranked in the Top 25 for the first time in over four...

Minnesota's Payton Willis drives the ball past Penn State's Myreon Jones during an NCAA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Oturu scores 26 as Minnesota beats Penn State 75-69

By Brian Hall Jan. 15, 2020 11:39 PM EST

Michigan's Eli Brooks (55) passes the ball away from Minnesota's Gabe Kalscheur (22), Jarvis Omersa (21) and Payton Willis (0) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

Oturu scores 30 as Minnesota beats No. 19 Michigan 75-67

By Patrick Donnelly Jan. 12, 2020 05:30 PM EST

Northwestern's Pat Spencer tries to shoot the ball against Minnesota's Jarvis Omersa during an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Oturu, Minnesota overpower Northwestern 77-68

By Dave Campbell Jan. 05, 2020 09:49 PM EST

Kalscheur, Oturu lead Minnesota to 89-62 win against FIU

By Brian Hall Dec. 28, 2019 06:09 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Coach Richard Pitino loaded Minnesota’s early-season schedule to prepare the Gophers for playing in the Big Ten and to boost their...

Oklahoma State guard Chris Harris Jr. shoots past Minnesota forward Michael Hurt during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)

Kalscheur, Oturu lead Minnesota over Okla. St. 86-66

By John Tranchina Dec. 21, 2019 07:51 PM EST

Minnesota guard Gabe Kalscheur (22) shoots over Ohio State guard D.J. Carton in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)

Minnesota knocks off No. 3 Ohio State 84-71

By Dave Campbell Dec. 15, 2019 08:55 PM EST

Moore's double-double helps DePaul edge Minnesota 73-68

By Patrick Donnelly Nov. 29, 2019 07:01 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The DePaul Blue Demons have spent November proving that preseason polls don’t mean a thing when the season starts. ...

Moore's double-double helps DePaul edge Minnesota 73-68

By Patrick Donnelly Nov. 29, 2019 05:33 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Charlie Moore scored 21 points, dished out 12 assists and had five steals on Friday as DePaul defeated Minnesota 73-68. ...

Kalscheur scores 18 as Minnesota beats North Dakota 79-56

By Brian Hall Nov. 24, 2019 09:39 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With continued growth from sophomore Gabe Kalscheur and the impact of two transfer guards in Marcus Carr and Payton Willis, Minnesota has...

Balance, 3s give Minnesota 82-57 win over Central Michigan

By Brian Hall Nov. 21, 2019 10:07 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Starting the second half with possession, Minnesota worked the ball around the offensive zone for nearly 30 seconds before Daniel Oturu...