DAVE CAMPBELL
Minnesota forward Eric Curry, left, shoots over Michigan State guard Marcus Bingham Jr. during the first half an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
No. 19 Mich. St. outlasts Minnesota 75-67 in Big 10 opener

By Dave Campbell Dec. 08, 2021 11:20 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan State is playing tough defense again, and the arrival of

Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson gestures during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Minnesota won 54-53. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Undefeated Gophers getting along just fine under Ben Johnson

By Dave Campbell Dec. 07, 2021 09:23 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The takeover of any major college basketball program is already a

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — New Minnesota coach Ben Johnson might have been wise to

New University of Minnesota mens' head basketball coach Ben Johnson addresses the media after he was introduced Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in Minneapolis. Johnson replaces Richard Pitino, who was fired after eight seasons and took the job at New Mexico. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
New Gophers coach Johnson aims to keep top state talent home

By Dave Campbell Mar. 23, 2021 07:52 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ben Johnson arrived at Minnesota athletic director Mark

FILE - In this March 9, 2003, file photo, Minnesota's Ben Johnson (22) drives past Illinois Dee Brown (11) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill. Minnesota has picked former player and assistant Johnson to be the new head men's basketball coach, according to a person with knowledge of the hire. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because university had yet to make the announcement. (AP Photo/John Dixon, File)
New Minnesota coach is former player, assistant Ben Johnson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 22, 2021 04:46 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota hired Ben Johnson as its new men's basketball

Arkansas guard Davonte Davis (4) reacts after a dunk against Texas Tech in the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Refreshed Baylor reaches Sweet 16 with 'Nova, Oral Roberts

By Dave Campbell Mar. 22, 2021 12:09 AM EDT
Baylor was unbeaten and speeding through the stacked Big 12 when the most

FILE - Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert prepares to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Loyola Marymount in Spokane, Wash., in this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, file photo. Kispert has made The Associated Press All-America first team, announced Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Shooting the 3: Oral Roberts has put in the long-range work

By Dave Campbell Mar. 18, 2021 06:05 PM EDT
Oral Roberts coach Paul Mills has an assignment waiting for his players each

Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) celebrates as against Ohio State takes the lead over against Purdue during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2021. Ohio State defeated Purdue 87-78 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Big Ten-toughened Ohio State back on track after late skid

By Dave Campbell Mar. 17, 2021 07:35 PM EDT
The late-season stumble was big enough to push Ohio State into fifth place in

Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino watches his team play against Rutgers in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. Rutgers won 77-70 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
New Mexico hires Pitino, as Minnesota aims higher once again

By Dave Campbell Mar. 16, 2021 12:44 PM EDT
After an amicable split with Minnesota, Richard Pitino headed west for New

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 10, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Minnesota fires coach Richard Pitino after 8 seasons

By Dave Campbell Mar. 15, 2021 10:25 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota fired Richard Pitino on Monday after the coach

Minnesota's Eric Curry, left, lays up a shot as Rutgers' Cliff Omoruyi (5) watches in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Young's 23 points leads Rutgers past Minnesota 77-70 in OT

By Dave Campbell Mar. 06, 2021 02:58 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jacob Young had 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds

Minnesota coach Richard Pitino watches his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Minneapolis. Illinois won 94-63. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Job in jeopardy, Gophers' Pitino 'not waving the white flag'

By Dave Campbell Mar. 02, 2021 06:01 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota coach Richard Pitino acknowledged his job is in

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — From pregame warmup drills though the pickup-game vibe of

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots between Purdue forward Aaron Wheeler (1) and guard Ethan Morton (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Michigan won 70-53. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Robbins helping Gophers keep up with crowd of Big 10 big men

By Dave Campbell Feb. 03, 2021 07:42 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Liam Robbins needed a couple of calculated steps of

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Maryland paid another destructive visit to a Top 25 foe,

Michigan's Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots and scores as four against Minnesota players watch in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
No. 23 Minnesota hands No. 7 Michigan 1st loss in 75-57 romp

By Dave Campbell Jan. 16, 2021 04:23 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Liam Robbins had 22 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After switching schools during the pandemic lockdown and

Rutgers' Geo Baker, right, defends against Purdue guard Eric Hunter Jr. (2) as Hunter looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Piscataway, NJ. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Iowa-Rutgers, among 9 ranked, tops ever-tough Big Ten slate

By Dave Campbell Dec. 31, 2020 02:45 AM EST
Here's a look at the upcoming week around the Big Ten Conference:

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three days after surging back to beat Iowa in overtime

Iowa center Luka Garza (55) works to the basket as Minnesota forward Isaiah Ihnen (35) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 102-95 in overtime. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota beats No. 4 Iowa 102-95 on Johnson's 3-point spree

By Dave Campbell Dec. 25, 2020 10:50 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brandon Johnson joined Minnesota as a graduate transfer in