Ben Johnson Gophers era opens on Tuesday with low expectations
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Ben Johnson’s Gophers are chosen to finish 14th in an unofficial Big Ten men’s hoops preseason media poll. But he and his players expect to win, with the season opener Tuesday at the Barn vs. Kansas City.
Johnson and team captains Payton Willis and Eric Curry met with reporters Monday afternoon on campus.
***Click the video box above to hear from Johnson, Willis, and Curry***
Johnson, hired in March, was a two-time captain for the Gophers and served as an assistant coach 2013-2018. Prior to becoming a head coach at his alma mater, Johnson was an assistant coach at Xavier.
The Gophers have a remade roster, with only Curry and Isaiah Ihnen as scholarship players back. Ihnen, along with newcomer Parker Fox are out for the season with knee injuries.
Gophers basketball coach Ben Johnson met with reporters Monday afternoon at Williams Arena.[KSTP/Jeff Brioschi]
The Gophers have an old roster, with eight seniors. The 2021-2022 season marks the 127th year of Gophers men’s basketball.