BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 60,767
- Reaction score
- 16,161
- Points
- 113
per Marcus:
On a Tuesday night in late February, Ben Johnson got hit with a bombshell of a phone call that no college basketball coach ever wants to hear in recruiting.
The Gophers' five-star center of the future, Dennis Evans, wanted out of his national letter of intent. Saying goodbye to the program's highest ranked recruit in 20 years was arguably the lowest point in Year 2 under Johnson.
The season saw the Gophers (8-21, 2-17 Big Ten) suffer through a 12-game losing streak. Entering Wednesday's Big Ten tournament opener vs. Nebraska in Chicago, the U finished last in conference play. It's the first time in program history the Gophers have finished last in the Big Ten in consecutive seasons.
"We'd all love to hit the lottery and be in a different position," Johnson told the Star Tribune the day the Evans news dropped. "The reality is in most instances that's not what happens. You've got to be OK going through the suck, if you're going to turn it into anything."
Johnson ended up granting Evans his release and was ready to move on without showing any panic.
The Big Ten's youngest coach at 42, Johnson believes he still has to project a bright future for himself and the program, even if frustrated fans feel the sky is falling.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
On a Tuesday night in late February, Ben Johnson got hit with a bombshell of a phone call that no college basketball coach ever wants to hear in recruiting.
The Gophers' five-star center of the future, Dennis Evans, wanted out of his national letter of intent. Saying goodbye to the program's highest ranked recruit in 20 years was arguably the lowest point in Year 2 under Johnson.
The season saw the Gophers (8-21, 2-17 Big Ten) suffer through a 12-game losing streak. Entering Wednesday's Big Ten tournament opener vs. Nebraska in Chicago, the U finished last in conference play. It's the first time in program history the Gophers have finished last in the Big Ten in consecutive seasons.
"We'd all love to hit the lottery and be in a different position," Johnson told the Star Tribune the day the Evans news dropped. "The reality is in most instances that's not what happens. You've got to be OK going through the suck, if you're going to turn it into anything."
Johnson ended up granting Evans his release and was ready to move on without showing any panic.
The Big Ten's youngest coach at 42, Johnson believes he still has to project a bright future for himself and the program, even if frustrated fans feel the sky is falling.
Gophers coach Ben Johnson moves on without panic as season filled with lows nears end
On a Tuesday night last month, Ben Johnson got hit with a bombshell of a phone call that no college basketball coach ever wants to hear. Another low point in a season filled with them.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
