Ben Johnson, head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, has been leading the team through a rebuilding phase. The Big Ten conference is always tough, but with the addition of four new teams, the competition is even fiercer. This means that there is little room for error for Minnesota. Despite these challenges, the Golden Gophers have shown that they are a tough team to beat on the court.
In the 2023-24 season, Minnesota exceeded expectations by finishing with a 19-15 record and making it to the second round of the NIT. This was a significant improvement from the previous season, where they only won nine games. The team had several standout players, with freshman Cam Christie making a big impact early in the season.
However, the transfer portal took a toll on the Gophers, as they lost key players like Pharrel Payne and Elijah Hawkins. Payne, a promising post player, decided to transfer to Texas A&M. Hawkins, who was a standout point guard, also left the team. His absence will be deeply felt in the upcoming season.
Despite these losses, Minnesota managed to bring in seven new players through the transfer portal. Among the newcomers are Brennan Rigsby from Oregon and Femi Odukale from New Mexico State. Odukale, in particular, has already made an impression during Gophers’ practices, as shown on the team’s social media accounts.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they will once again rely on a senior-heavy lineup. With key players like Christie, Payne, and Hawkins no longer with the team, there will be a different look on the court. However, Dawson Garcia, a seasoned veteran, is back for another year and will provide leadership for the team.
Overall, Minnesota is gearing up for a challenging season in the Big Ten. While there have been changes to the roster, the team is determined to compete at a high level and continue building towards a bright future under Coach Ben Johnson.
