Daniel Oturu

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

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

Minnesota's Marcus Carr (5) goes to the basket against Northwestern's Ryan Greer (2) 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)

Minnesota's Carr says he'll enter NBA draft, not hire agent

Mar. 30, 2020 11:34 PM EDT

Minnesota's Daniel Oturu (25) reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Indianapolis. Minnesota won 74-57. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Minnesota center Daniel Oturu says he's entering NBA draft

Mar. 23, 2020 11:55 PM EDT

Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Indianapolis. Minnesota won 74-57. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

AP Source: Pitino will return for 8th season with Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Mar. 13, 2020 04:03 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

Minnesota's Daniel Oturu (25) goes up for a dunk against Indiana's Devonte Green (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana defeated Minnesota 72-67. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Big Ten tourney challenge gives Pitino, Gophers last chance

By Dave Campbell Mar. 10, 2020 06:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrates a 78-76 win over Iowa in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Champaign, Ill. Dosunmu was selected to the Associated Press All-Big Ten team selected Tuesday, March 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File)

Iowa's Garza, Badgers' Gard take AP All-Big Ten top honors

By Eric Olson Mar. 10, 2020 11:57 AM EDT

3-point barrage lifts Minnesota over Nebraska 107-75

By Patrick Donnelly Mar. 08, 2020 03:15 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gabe Kalscheur scored 26 points and Alihan Demir added 19 points and 10 rebounds on Sunday as Minnesota set a season-high in scoring with a...

Drake's Noah Thomas (14) heads to the basket past Illinois State's Abdou Ndiaye (4) and Keith Fisher III (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Thursday, March 5, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Drake Bulldogs at Northern Iowa Panthers 3/6/2020

Mar. 05, 2020 07:47 PM EST

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

Maryland players on the bench celebrate the go-ahead 3-pointer by Darryl Morsell, not seen, against Minnesota during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Minneapolis. Maryland won 74-73. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

Morsell's late 3 lifts No. 9 Maryland past Minnesota 74-73

By Dave Campbell Feb. 26, 2020 11:44 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 Alihan Demir handles the ball through the defense of Iowa's Joe Toussaint (1) and Luka Garza (55) during an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Garza scores 24 points; No. 21 Iowa beats Minnesota 58-55

By Brian Hall Feb. 16, 2020 04:43 PM EST

Minnesota's Payton Willis, left, and Penn State's Curtis Jones Jr. go after the ball during first-half action of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec)

Stevens leads No. 22 Penn State over Minnesota

By Travis Johnson Feb. 08, 2020 06:22 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

No. 19 Illinois holds on to beat Minnesota 59-51

Terry Towery Jan. 30, 2020 10:10 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — No. 19 Illinois did what it took to move back into a first-place tie in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini's seventh...