Minnesota Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMBig Ten BasketballMinnesota Golden Gophers

Nov 7

Our Minnesota basketball preview 2021 - 22 observes that the Golden Gophers enter a new era as Ben Johnson, a first-time college head coach, starts his first season at the helm. Although snaring a college coaching job was Johnson’s boyhood dream, it may at first seem like a nightmare. When former head coach Richard Pitino was fired in March a total of 11 scholarship players left. Johnson’s first job was to travel across the nation, looking for quality players. He was virtually building from scratch the latest version of the Minnesota men’s basketball team.

Golden Gophers Frontcourt

Two players from last season return. One of them is senior Eric Curry. Curry was planning on folding up his career as a player and head into coaching, but decided to come back to help out. Curry is a solid inside player. However, his career has been sidetracked numerous times by injuries. After Curry, the frontcourt gets thin. Stephen F. Austin transfer Charlie Daniels and true freshman Treyton Thompson are both possible centers. George Washington transfer Jamison Battle has solid inside-outside shooting chops. Two other players, returning forward Isaiah Ihnen and Division II transfer Parker Fox will not be available as both suffered season-ending knee injuries.

Minnesota Basketball Preview – Backcourt

Payton Willis returns to Minnesota after playing for the College of Charleston last season. Willis first played for two years at Vanderbilt, then a year for the Golden Gophers, and last season at Charleston. He has plenty of game experience, knows what it’s like to play in the Big Ten, and is a leader. Although he originally played off guard, Willis returns to Minnesota to man the point. There are various transfers who may take on the shooting guard spot. Look for Johnson to go with the best three-point shooters.