Recent content from Marcus Fuller
St. Thomas leading scorer Rohde enters transfer portal
Andrew Rohde, a 6-6 freshman from Milwaukee, earned first team All-Summit League honors for the Tommies this season.
Long a hockey school, UMD sees both basketball teams surge
Both the Bulldogs women's and men's teams will play in the NCAA Elite Eight this week, with the women on Monday and the men on Tuesday.
Battle, Cooper may not be done with college despite Senior Night honor
Jamison Battle and Ta'Lon Cooper have entered the NCAA transfer portal at the same time that they are expected to pursue opportunities to turn pro.
Big Ten's NCAA tournament outlook at a glance
Eight Big Ten teams made the Big Dance. Here's a closer look.
Can this Purdue team end the Big Ten's NCAA championship drought?
The Boilermakers have the nation's top player, 7-4 Zach Edey, but his supporting cast might not be enough.
Fuller's NCAA men's tournament bracket: 10 big things to know
With the 68-team tournament starting Tuesday night, here are all the bracket picks, upsets, intriguing players and championship contenders — and college basketball writer Marcus Fuller's pick to win it all.
Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's tournament
Indiana's Race Thompson and Iowa State's Gabe Kalscheur are among those from Minnesota heading to the Big Dance.
Henley, Thompson planning to leave Gophers, enter transfer portal
Jaden Henley was an AAU teammate of Dennis Evans, who renounced his commitment to the U; Treyton Thompson, from Glenwood, Minn., is leaving after two seasons during which he played sparingly.
Dennis Evans commits to Louisville, which had 4-28 record this season
Louisville was among several programs that jumped into the recruiting mix for Evans once he was changed his mind about coming to Minnesota.
Repeat for KU? Breaking down the men's NCAA tournament bracket
Though Kansas had a blip of a three-game losing streak, the defending champion Jayhawks were otherwise strong, and are playing in perhaps the tournament's weakest region.
Gophers backcourt could be in flux with decisions looming for Cooper, Henley
Ta'Lon Cooper had a solid year. Jaden Henley showed signs of growth. But another improved freshman, Braeden Carrington, could be the only guard back.
Gophers run out of upsets, end season with 70-54 loss to Maryland
Gophers freshman Pharrel Payne had a team-high 17 points and didn't miss a shot, but it wasn't enough for Minnesota in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Battle reflects as Gophers career draws to a close
Junior forward Jamison Battle expects to play professionally after this season but was glad his time with the Gophers lasted longer than one game in the Big Ten tournament.
Former Gophers standout rising quickly through coaching ranks
Basketball Across Minnesota: Damian Johnson has led a turnaround at Benilde-St. Margaret's after a successful stint at North St. Paul. One thing you should know: There's a sure way to get into this coach's doghouse.
Can the Gophers pull off another Big Ten tournament upset tonight?
Dawson Garcia is playing his best basketball for the Gophers entering Thursday night's game in Chicago, but Maryland's been red hot against the U this season.
'I trust coach Johnson.' Recruit Christie still committed to Gophers
Four-srat recruit Cameron Christie acknowledged that he'll miss the chance to play with Dennis Evans, who changed his mind about coming to Minnesota. 'I never wavered,' the Illinois prep star said.
Battle fouls out, then Gophers battle to beat Nebraska in Big Ten tourney
Minnesota played the last nine minutes without star Jamison Battle and needed others to step up in the 74-71 win Dawson Garcia and Ta'Lon Cooper had double-doubles, with Cooper's including 12 assists.
In season of losses and lows, Johnson works to move on without panic
On a Tuesday night last month, Gophers coach 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.
Gophers men to open Big Ten tournament against Nebraska
The Gophers look to avoid their second consecutive first-round exit in the Big Ten tournament Wednesday in Chicago.
Gophers lose to Badgers; Battle likely to turn pro after end of season
Jamison Battle, the junior forward and Minnesota's second leading scorer, has talked about leaving the U for professional basketball after the season, coach Ben Johnson said.
Gophers basketball to honor three graduating seniors vs. Wisconsin
Gophers starters Jamison Battle and Ta'Lon Cooper have eligibility remaining but graduate this year. Also graduating is transfer Taurus Samuels.
Scalia has another good game, but Indiana falls short at Target Center
Stillwater native and former Gophers player Sara Scalia scored 15 points Saturday to conclude a memorable trip back home.
Gophers men's basketball gameday preview vs. Wisconsin
After a dramatic first Big Ten home win, Minnesota looks to keep building vs. the Badgers.
Gophers excited to finish regular season against Badgers
Ben Johnson saw improvement in his team in Thursday's thrilling last-second victory against Rutgers. The Gophers hope that can carry over Sunday vs. Wisconsin.
Down 24 in first half, Ohio State storms back to beat No. 2 Indiana in Big Ten semifinals
The Buckeyes used a full-court press to force several Indiana turnovers, gaining a spot in Sunday's Big Ten championship game.
'Thank you, Lindsay.' Players show fondness for Whalen after departure
Gophers players are using social media to show appreciation for Lindsay Whalen after what athletic director Mark Coyle called a mutual decision to remove her as head coach.
Even without Whalen, Gophers recruit Kennedy Klick plans to stick with U
Kennedy Klick, a standout guard for Maple Grove, told the Star Tribune on Friday that her "heart is set to play for the University of Minnesota."
Olson, UMD make a case to be among the NSIC's best women's team ever
Basketball Across Minnesota: The Bulldogs became the first team to win three consecutive NSIC women's tournaments, and this will be UMD's fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II tournament.
Iron Range star Asuma commits to Gophers in school gym after team wins
Sitting behind the bench recently at the U's 76-69 loss against Penn State, Isaac Asuma and his family weren't discouraged by the program's struggles.
Down by 10 with 1:04 left, U shocks Rutgers on Battle buzzer-beater
The Gophers trailed 70-60 and looked destined to lose their 13th game in a row. Then Jamison Battle led a thrilling comeback that included hitting a trio of three-pointers in the final 43 seconds.
St. Thomas charges into first Summit tourney led by elite freshman Rohde
6-foot-6 Andrew Rohde was the hidden jewel of the St. Thomas recruiting class, which included three Minnesota natives and was ranked the best in the Summit League. He third in the nation in scoring among freshmen.
Gophers freshman Carrington has right attitude despite setbacks
Former Minnesota Mr. Basketball Braeden Carrington is expected to play Thursday vs. Rutgers after hurting his knee last weekend.
St. Thomas women's basketball team gets ready for its own 'Big Dance'
The Tommies will make their Summit League tournament debut on Friday against Western Illinois.
Playing with Payne becomes U's best hope at center after Evans rejection
How can the U compete in the Big Ten without more of a formidable inside presence moving forward? The answer might be already in the program.
U men's basketball faces Rutgers, still seeking first Big Ten home win
The Gophers have a 12-game losing streak. After facing Rutgers, they'll play Wisconsin at home Sunday to close the regular season.
Cherry star Asuma praises U, will announce college choice Thursday
The Gophers told Isaac Asuma he would likely be mostly a point guard in college, but they would also use him off the ball in a scoring role. He envisions helping the program as a freshman.
Big Ten cancels Gophers game at Michigan State, called no-contest
The Gophers were scheduled to play at Michigan State on Feb. 15, but a campus shooting happened two days before that in East Lansing.
Gophers lose 12th straight. Johnson: 'Turnovers just crushed us'
The Gophers set a school record for free throws and outrebounded Nebraska, but had other problems that led to the 78-67 loss that kept them at one win in the Big Ten.
Gophers freshman Jaden Henley shows growth after returning to starting lineup
Entering Saturday's game at Nebraska, the 6-7 California native is coming off his best game in Big Ten play.
Five-star Gophers recruit Evans changes his mind, asks for release
Dennis Evans, a five-star, 7-foot senior from California, formally requested on Friday to be released from his signed national letter of intent. He would have been the team's highest-ranked recruit in 20 years.
Gophers men's basketball looks to avenge loss to Nebraska
The Gophers are riding an 11-game losing streak, but the January matchup at Williams Arena showed they can play the Cornhuskers tough.
Former Cretin standout Holloman building his game at Michigan State
Basketball Across Minnesota: Tre Holloman is in a reserve role as a freshman and sees a progression the way other point guards have grown under coach Tom Izzo.
Gophers overpowered by Maryland as losing streak reaches 11 games
Odds that Minnesota can pick up a second Big Ten win this season are slim if they have repeat performances defensively like Wednesday night, when Maryland scored at will after the first 10 minutes.
Challenge for Gophers guards: Show improvement vs. Maryland tonight
In the last two games, the Gophers' guards were outscored 57-8 and 28-9 in losses to Penn State and Illinois. Maryland will challenge them with one of the top backcourts in the Big Ten.
Gophers men face Maryland again after earlier 35-point loss to Terps
The Gophers hope to halt a 10-game losing streak now that they are healthier this time around.
Garcia returns as Gophers' focal point for late-season stretch
Dawson Garcia had a hard time being patient when he missed five games because of a bone bruise in his right foot.
Gophers losing streak hits 10 at Illinois despite Battle's 31 points
Minnesota is 1-14 in Big Ten play after the Illini used a balanced offensive attack — all five starters scored in double figures — to fend off a season high from Jamison Battle.
Illinois' leading scorer out as Gophers try to snap losing streak
Gophers coach Ben Johnson saw Dawson Garcia, his top scorer, return on Saturday. Illinois is not so fortunate with Terrence Shannon Jr. out with a concussion.
Gophers basketball road trip begins with postponed game at Illinois
Dawson Garcia returned from injury, but the Gophers are still trying to end an eight-game losing streak Monday in Champaign.
After Gophers looked elsewhere, Park Center's Dainja became Illini's big man
Ben Johnson and his Gophers men's basketball program showed some interest when former Park Center standout Dain Dainja entered the transfer portal. But they opted to pursue others.
Garcia returns but Gophers men fall to Penn State for ninth loss in a row
The team's leading scorer missed five games because of a foot injury and scored 23 points in the 76-69 loss.
Gophers leading scorer Dawson Garcia returns from injury to start against Penn State
Garcia and freshman Braeden Carrington were cleared to play Saturday against Penn State after missing a combined 13 games.
Gophers, Penn State take different approaches into Saturday's matchup
Gophers coach Ben Johnson added more youth to the roster than Penn State's second-year coach Micah Shrewsberry did, hoping for long-term benefits.
Gophers leading scorer Garcia likely to remain out vs. Penn State
Minnesota will try to end its eight-game losing streak, when Penn State visits Williams Arena on Saturday night.
Minnesota's Black college basketball coaches inspire each other
Basketball Across Minnesota: Macalester's Abe Woldeslassie and Crown College's Bridgeport Tusler were on the same staff a year ago. Now they're among four Black coaches at the NCAA level in the state.
Johnson shows support for Michigan St., plans for rescheduling game uncertain
Minnesota and Michigan State are working to find a date when the game, originally set for Wednesday, can be played. The Gophers' schedule is posing complications.
4 Gophers takeaways: Freshmen fight on and frontcourt frustration
The Gophers started three freshmen for the first time this season with Jaden Henley joining the lineup. A first-year player has led the team in scoring eight times this season.
'Small victories' not enough; Iowa sends Gophers to 8th straight loss
Still relying on four freshmen because of injuries, the Gophers fell behind early and now have their longest regular-season losing streak since the 2017-18 season.
Injuries in the frontcourt are speeding up Gophers' development of freshman Pharrel Payne
The 6-9 Cottage Grove native will start his fourth straight game for the U on Sunday in place of injured leading scorer Dawson Garcia.
Gophers can relate to Iowa player's battle with mental health issues
Gophers forward Jamison Battle voiced support for Patrick McCaffery, the Iowa player who took a leave of absence for anxiety this season. "If you're not doing well mentally, then you're not going to perform well," Battle said.
Gophers men's basketball returns from COVID break vs. Iowa
A five-day COVID-19 pause earlier in the week delayed a game against Illinois until Feb. 20.
Coaching legend exits and a new power rises in Minnesota basketball
Basketball Across MinnesotaL Carleton College is closing in on its highest win total in 114 years of basketball — and its first title since the mid 1960s. The veteran-filled Knights were brought to this point by Guy Kalland, who retired in 2022 after 38 seasons.
![Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson in the first half Monday, November 7, 2022, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.go](https://chorus.stimg.co/24415242/merlin_69062801.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Johnson facing U's struggles by leaning on experience with defeat
It's not something Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is proud of on his résumé, but his experience with losing streaks as a former U player and assistant is helping him relate to his current team's season.
Postponed Gophers game at Illinois rescheduled for later this month
Minnesota's next scheduled game is noon Sunday against Iowa at Williams Arena. The game at Illinois will now be played on February 20.
Blown out at the Barn: Gophers lose big again, falling 81-46 to Maryland
It's now seven straight losses for the Gophers, who are on their longest losing streak during the regular season since the end of Richard Pitino's final year.
Gophers' Garcia out again but injuries no excuse for poor defense
Top scorer Dawson Garcia will be sidelined again Saturday vs. Maryland, but the Gophers have to figure out how to improve defensively in a hurry.
Future U guard Christie wishes he could be in Minnesota already
Cam Christie, who averages 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists this year for his Illinois high school, is the highest-ranked guard recruit for the U since Amir Coffey and Isaiah Washington joined in 2016 and 2017.
Gophers' leading scorer Garcia to be a game-time decision vs. Maryland
Garcia has missed the past three games with a bone bruise, and the Gophers' losing streak stands at six.
4 Gophers takeaways: Inept defense + bad 3-point shooting = blowout
The only way the Gophers can compete in Big Ten games right now is by defending at a high level. They didn't come close to doing that at Rutgers, and fell short in other ways while losing 90-55.
Worst loss in two decades, U men smacked by 35 points at Rutgers
The 90-55 thumping by Rutgers was also the biggest victory margin for the Scarlet Knights since they joined the Big Ten. Minnesota now has lost six in a row,
Gophers frontcourt banged up going into matchup at Rutgers
Garcia's out for the third straight game with a foot injury. The Gophers have used different players in the frontcourt rotation in his absence.
No longer a starter, ex-Gophers star Scalia has new role with Indiana
Basketball Across Minnesota: Sara Scalia transferred last year to No. 4 Indiana after three seasons with the Gophers. Her team brings its championship dreams to Williams Arena tonight.
Tough, tenacious: Johnson wants Gophers to be more like Rutgers
Coach Ben Johnson has yet to establish an identity for Gophers men's basketball. And he's not shy about admitting he wants his program to look like what Rutgers has built.
Gophers looking to end five-game losing streak in game at Rutgers
Minnesota defeated the Scarlet Knights at home last season but hasn't won at Rutgers since 2017.
Four takeaways: Lopsided loss to Wildcats showcases shortcomings
It had been five years since the Gophers men's basketball team suffered a bigger loss at Northwestern than its 81-61 defeat over the weekend.
