Recent content from Marcus Fuller
Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's basketball tournament
Minnesota natives in this year's tournament include Kerwin Walton, Dain Dainja, Steven Crowl and several others.
Gophers don't hesitate to grab NIT spot, look forward to facing Butler
Ben Johnson, in his third season as Gophers coach, can build on his NIT experience as an assistant under Richard Pitino in 2013-14.
NCAA men's basketball: What to watch in all four regions
Four must-watch players and four must-watch matchups from the 68-team field announced Sunday.
Big Ten tournament at Target Center brought plenty of big performances
Marcus Fuller's five takeaways from five days of competition in downtown Minneapolis.
Gophers men's basketball gets NIT bid, first-round matchup with Butler
The Gophers' season has been extended with a first-round matchup against Butler in the 32-team NIT.
Hoiberg-led Nebraska runs out of steam in Big Ten semifinals, looks toward NCAAs
Nebraska could not hang on to a second-half lead in losing to Illinois 98-87, but the Cornhuskers are poised to get an NCAA tournament bid Sunday.
Gophers men hoping for NIT bid Sunday, but it's certainly no lock
The Gophers went 18-14 and 9-11 during the Big Ten Regular season before getting bounced from the conference tournament by Michigan State.
Heide, Holloman relive state title matchup during Big Ten tournament
The former Minnesota prep standouts faced off Friday when Purdue beat Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament.
Gophers: 'Imagine what we could do' next season
As the Gophers wait for a possible NIT bid Sunday, roll call for next season has begun. Elijah Hawkins will return. Dawson Garcia and Cam Christie are undecided.
Gophers overmatched in 10-point loss to Michigan State; season over?
The Gophers led by two points at halftime, but couldn't hold off the Spartans at the Big Ten tournament with their fifth loss in six games. Now, the waiting game for a possible NIT berth.
Gophers point guard Hawkins 'definitely coming back next year'
After Thursday's loss to Michigan State, Gophers point guard Elijah Hawkins made it clear he doesn't have plans to transfer.
Gophers, Spartans both riding 1-4 skids into Big Ten hoops tourney
The Gophers must drastically improve on defense to have a chance to make a Big Ten men's basketball tournament run, starting Thursday against the Spartans.
Garcia believes U isn't done winning. But will he be here for that?
The Gophers will open the Big Ten tournament Thursday morning vs. Michigan State, with Dawson Garcia delaying his decision on whether to return for another season.
Gophers' Garcia, Christie named to All-Big Ten teams
The Gophers men's basketball team's leading scorer, Dawson Garcia, and top freshman, Cam Christie, were named to All-Big Ten basketball teams.
Gophers improved this season. So why is Ben Johnson frustrated?
Johnson stood outside the visitors' locker room at Northwestern on Saturday night, unhappy about his team's fourth loss in five games — and what it didn't represent.
Five Minnesotans to watch at Big Ten men's basketball tournament
The Gophers have key players from Minnesota — Dawson Garcia, Pharrel Payne and Parker Fox among them. — and there are other homegrown standouts returning to the state this week.
10 players to watch at the Big Ten tournament at Target Center
The Big Ten men's basketball tournament makes its Minneapolis debut this week, and here are some of the stars in conference play this season.
Four things learned in Gophers basketball's loss to Northwestern to end regular season
Garcia may travel well, but the Gophers defense struggles to match his energy on the road lately.
Gophers men's basketball to face Michigan State in Big Ten tournament
Ben Johnson's Gophers play their first game in the Big Ten tournament early Thursday at Target Center.
Gophers smothered by Northwestern 90-66 in final game of regular season
Dawson Garcia finished with his third 30-point game of the season to lead the Gophers, but the momentum was entirely in Northwestern's favor from the opening tip.
Gophers' Braeden Carrington back from concussion, but Joshua Ola-Joseph out at Northwestern
Sophomores Braeden Carrington and Joshua Ola-Joseph had been recovering from concussions this week, but only one of them was cleared to play Saturday in Evanston.
U men's basketball excited about future, with one big 'if' in play
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle isn't in the habit of making big statements about his teams a year in advance. But there's something about this team that excites him.
Gophers could land No. 8 seed for Big Ten tourney with win Saturday
The Gophers hope to finish league play strong by completing a season sweep of Northwestern.
Meet the NIL era MVGs: Most Valuable Gophers
Jeremiah Carter and Kiara Buford are tasked with keeping University of Minnesota coaches, leaders and athletes up to speed and in-bounds on all NIL matters.
Four things learned from the Gophers' stumble against Indiana
The Gophers took a deflating 70-58 loss to Indiana on Wednesday night in what could be the final game at Williams Arena for Parker Fox.
Gophers men lack urgency, lose to Indiana in final home game
For the second time this season, the Gophers were done in by Indiana's inside game. "We just didn't have the right mentality today," forward Parker Fox noted.
Get ready, Minnesota. A dozen days of basketball bliss are coming.
Basketball Across Minnesota: Minneapolis is about to become the center of the college basketball world. Hoops diehards are salivating over what they'll be able to see at Target Center.
Gophers vs. Indiana. Are there NCAA hopes, however slim, to play for?
The Gophers play their final home game of the season Wednesday against Indiana with a chance to finish with six straight victories at Williams Arena.
One and done? U's Christie puts off talk about entering NBA draft.
You won't see freshman Cam Christie's name often on NBA mock drafts for this year. But scouts are keeping an eye on the two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
U men's basketball leaned on crowd energy, home court in comeback
Ben Johnson's Gophers overcame a 23-point deficit Saturday vs. Penn State to earn their 16th win at Williams Arena, their most since 2016-17.
U men eke out 75-70 win vs. Penn State after making big comeback
The Gophers rallied from a 23-point deficit in the first half to win its fifth consecutive home game on Senior Day.
Gophers men's basketball needs a jump-start Saturday vs. Penn State
The Gophers used a victory at Penn State to start a winning streak earlier this season, so the rematch against the Nittany Lions has a chance to do the same.
Why the Gophers are a longshot for NCAA tournament
Improvement is unquestioned, but a weak schedule and a weak conference will keep the men's team from dancing ... unless there's a lot of madness (and winning) this March.
March Madness a long shot, but U men have these things to play for
Losing to Illinois decreased Minnesota's already slim chance of an NCAA basketball tournament bid. But there are still things to motivate the team through its final regular-season games,
What's better than an NCAA tourney berth? Two for the same MN school.
Basketball Across Minnesota: The Gustavus women have won three consecutive MIAC tournament championships. The men's team won its first since 2005 with a dramatic run.
Gophers can't keep up with No. 13 Illinois in 105-97 loss
Despite shooting 60% from the field and 29 points from Dawson Garcia, Minnesota fell to 0-15 against ranked opponents under coach Ben Johnson.
What's the key to improving the Gophers men's offense?
With Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne forming a tough inside duo, Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson doesn't want his team so reliant on outside shots.
Gophers men's basketball looks to put road struggles behind at Illinois
The Gophers haven't won in Champaign since 2017. Ending that drought would top their NCAA tournament résumé this season.
Lack of intensity annoys Johnson in Gophers loss to Nebraska
Poor shooting and getting overwhelmed by the Cornhuskers at the basket weren't the only issues in the one-sided defeat at Lincoln.
Gophers outplayed from start to finish in crushing loss to Nebraska
The Gophers fell behind early and were blown out in the second half as they failed to do things they'd done well in recent victories.
Gophers' Johnson saw firsthand how Nebraska built home-court advantage
As a Huskers assistant coach in 2012-2013, Ben Johnson saw the start of the intimidating party atmosphere still present in today's Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Gophers point guard Hawkins emerges as the engine for their late-season push
After leading Howard to last year's NCAA tournament, Elijah Hawkins transferred to bring the winning mentality he learned in high school to Ben Johnson's Gophers, too.
Gophers men's basketball at Nebraska game preview: Broadcast info and analysis
Marcus Fuller's breakdown: The Gophers haven't won in Lincoln in more than a decade but need to start stacking road victories Sunday to boost their NCAA tournament résumé.
'Thunder and Lightning' sparked Gophers win over Ohio State
Four Things Learned: The Gophers defeated ex-teammate Jamison Battle, thanks largely to point guard Elijah Hawkins and the inside duo of Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne.
Battle tested: Gophers start fast, soar past Ohio State 88-79
Point guard Elijah Hawkins had a career scoring high and Gophers fans jeered whenever former U star Jamison Battle touched the ball for the Buckeyes.
State's best young dunker? A future Badger . . . or an Edina ninth-grader?
Basketball Across Minnesota: Breck senior Daniel Freitag and Edina freshman Vinny Cronin are the two most mentioned when the subject comes up among those who watch a lot of high school basketball.
One key to Gophers basketball improvement: Tougher defense
When the Gophers reeled off a three-game winning streak recently, Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan State combined to shoot only 34% from the field after halftime.
Gophers aim to spoil Battle's homecoming at the Barn
The Gophers might take it personal with ex-U standout Jamison Battle returning to Williams Arena for the first time with the Buckeyes.
What worked for Gophers? Payne, a slick offense, clutch free throws.
Four things we learned from the Gophers men's basketball team's win vs. Rutgers that raised their record to .500 in the Big Ten.
Gophers bring Payne to Rutgers, then survive a scare to win
Center Pharrel Payne had a career-high 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Gophers held off a late Rutgers rally after building a 17-point lead.
Ben Johnson's Gophers keep shrinking the gap
Thursday's loss at No. 2 Purdue was another sign how much the Gophers have improved, but they're still working to take the next step.
Gophers men's basketball vs. Rutgers game preview: Broadcast info and analysis
Marcus Fuller's breakdown: The Gophers look to start another win streak with back-to-back home games starting with Sunday against the Scarlet Knights.
Overpowered: U can't hold off No. 2 Purdue after leading at halftime
The Gophers went on a 21-5 run to lead by eight at halftime but had no answer for 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and the rest of the Boilermakers in the second half.
Stop Purdue's 7-foot-4 Edey? Gophers turn to the 'Green Team.'
'Green Team' members of the Gophers rarely leave the bench. But the special challenges created by No. 2 Purdue could get them some playing time tonight.
A gruesome leg injury turns from nightmare to inspiration
Basketball Across Minnesota: Teammates have rallied behind Romero Walker, whose senior season at South High ended with a broken leg. The Tigers have continued a resurgence that included a sweep of rival North.
Game preview: Gophers' Garcia likely questionable Thursday at Purdue
Marcus Fuller's breakdown: The Gophers must face Purdue's inside force, Zach Edey, with Dawson Garcia likely questionable and the team coming off a collapse at Iowa.
Four things learned from the Gophers' collapse at Iowa
The Gophers were dominating Iowa, looking like an NCAA basketball tournament team, before an unspecified injury to forward Dawson Garcia changed everything.
Freeman gets the best of fellow Illinois freshman Christie
Iowa forward Owen Freeman and Gophers guard Cam Christie, emerging as the two best freshmen in the Big Ten this season, have been dueling on the court since their high school days.
Gophers men see 20-point lead slip away in 90-85 loss to Iowa
The Gophers led at halftime against a Big Ten opponent for the first time this season but couldn't maintain their win streak after an injury to Dawson Garcia.
Gophers' Fox won't let past injuries spoil dream-come-true season
Two knee injuries took a physical toll on Gophers forward Parker Fox, but he can still play. He's become an emotional leader.
Gophers men's basketball vs. Iowa game preview: Broadcast info and analysis
Marcus Fuller's breakdown: Ben Johnson's team is starting to look the part of an NCAA tournament team, but the résumé still needs a lot of work.
Nolen finds meaning carrying a Gophers hoops legacy off the court
Basketball Across Minnesota: Former Gophers player and new radio analyst Al Nolen followed in the footsteps of his mentor and fellow alumnus to make a difference to inner-city youth.
How good is Christie? And how good is the Gophers' defense?
Four things learned: Cam Christie launched the Gophers' comeback victory over Michigan State. Next comes Sunday's game in Iowa against another top freshman.
Christie wins another family feud; U upsets Spartans to jump in standings
After beating Northwestern, where his mother starred, on Saturday, Cam Christie scored 19 points as the Gophers rallied to beat Michigan State, where his brother played on his way to the NBA,.
Gophers in the NCAA tournament? 'We never talk about it,' Johnson says.
Entering Tuesday's game vs.Michigan State, the Gophers need to keep winning to boost their tournament hopes. Does not talking about it mean coach Ben Johnson is feeling some pressure?
Gophers look to keep climbing in Big Ten vs. Michigan State
Marcus Fuller's breakdown: The small number of highly ranked Big Ten men's basketball teams puts pressure on the Gophers to win this one against a surging Spartans squad.
Another big finish and feeling some Payne spark Gophers to overtime win
Four Things Learned: The Gophers have been able to overcome first-half sluggishness and improve clutch performances to become a .500 team in the Big Ten.
Defense stands tall, Gophers turn away Northwestern in OT
Dawson Garcia had 20 points for the Gophers, who outscored Northwestern 14-5 in overtime and had five players score in double figures on the afternoon.
Williams Arena renovations can't be done on the cheap, Breuer says
Breuer was among 40 former Gophers players who returned to the Barn for Alumni Day.
Gophers men ready for Northwestern matchup at the Barn
Coach Ben Johnson sees the next two games as opportunities to get his program on track for a possible postseason berth.
Big Ten in the house: Cam Christie meets his mom's school at The Barn
Katrina Hannaford was a 1,000-point scorer at Northwestern and, when the Gophers played at Michigan State, fans trolled freshman Cam Christie in a way that made him laugh.
Fox makes presence felt for Gophers, subbing for Payne
Parker Fox, a senior from Mahtomedi, has responded to an increase in playing time, scoring more and blocking shots.
Improved in class and on court, St. Thomas sparked by new point guard
Basketball Across Minnesota: After transferring and sitting out under the NCAA's old transfer rules, Drake Dobbs was expected to start for the Tommies last year.. Then came an unexpected shock.
Big Gophers comeback at Penn State creates positive momentum
Four things learned during the rally from a 16-point deficit includes new success playing on the road and more evidence of a second-half standout.
Gophers make free throws, grind out road victory over Penn State
After squandering a lead earlier in the week vs. Wisconsin, the Gophers wouldn't make the same mistake twice and put away the Nittany Lions with a strong showing from the line.