Gophers MBB Throwing Uniforms Back to 1970’s vs Nebraska

The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team may not make the NCAA Tournament or even win a conference game this season. But head coach, Ben Johnson, is trying to sell hope for the future.

On Saturday, though, they’re commemorating the past on “Alumni Day” by throwing their jerseys back to the 1970’s. Remember the tops once worn by Kevin McHale, Dave Winfield and Mychal Thompson? That’s what the 2022-23 team will try and replicate this weekend. These are just fantastic.

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— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) January 7, 2023

Kevin McHale had 235 blocks in his 3 seasons as a #Gopher before spending 13 years in the NBA playing for Boston #TBT pic.twitter.com/d9Ignn6AHF

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) June 11, 2015

Rebuild continues for Ben Johnson

It’s going to be a rough season for this basketball team, especially after losing Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen (again) to season-ending knee injuries. But on Saturday, vs the (8-7) Nebraska Cornhuskers, they have one of their best shots this season at notching a Big Ten win.

In fairness, they’re coming off their best performance so far this season, a hard-fought 3-point loss in Madison to the Wisconsin Badgers.

Watch out for Freshmen

Ben Johnson’s best players are veterans, Jamison Battle and Dawson Garcia. And it’s transfer, (Jr) Ta’lon Cooper who drives play. Yet every game it seems, one of the four true freshmen: Josh Ola-Joseph, Braeden Carrington, Pharrel Payne or Jaden Henley, popping off the TV screen.

All freshmen listed above are averaging over 18 minutes per game. Carrington is logging the most, at 24. So while we honor the past today, don’t forget to look forward, too.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan