After a tough 9-22 season, Gophers Men's Basketball coach Ben Johnson is optimistic about the upcoming season. With returning players and potential transfers in the mix, Johnson believes that his team has what it takes to improve their record.
In a recent Q&A session with reporters, Johnson spoke candidly about his outlook for the upcoming season. When asked about how he felt regarding the team's chances of success this year, he said, "I like where we're at. Obviously last year was challenging from a win-loss standpoint but I think there were some bright spots."
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the return of key players like Marcus Carr and Liam Robbins. Carr was an All-Big Ten selection last season and averaged over 15 points per game while Robbins led the team in rebounds and blocks.
In addition to returning talent, Johnson also expressed excitement about possibilities in the transfer portal. He stated that they have been actively looking to add depth to their roster through transfers and are confident they will find quality additions.
"We're always monitoring it (the transfer portal) because you never know what might happen," said Johnson. "We've had conversations with guys already so I feel good about our chances there."
As for what fans can expect from his team this year, Johnson emphasized a focus on defense and rebounding.
"I want us to be really hard-nosed defensively," he said. "We need to be better on the glass too - both offensively and defensively - so those two areas are going to be huge emphasis points for us."
With renewed energy and determination heading into this season, Gopher fans have reason to believe that better days are ahead for their men's basketball program under Coach Ben Johnson's leadership.