Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball

Minnesota has fired men's basketball coach Richard Pitino.  

"I recently met with Richard and told him that we were moving in a different direction," athletic director Mark Coyle said in a statement. "Richard is a tremendous person and coach, and I want to thank him, Jill and their family for their commitment to Minnesota. We wish them well in their next endeavor."

According to Stadium's Jeff Goodman, Pitino is already a strong contender to land the vacant New Mexico job.

According to the Associated Press' Dave Campbell, Minnesota is on the hook to pay Pitino a $1.7 million buyout. The Star Tribune's Chip Scoggins noted it's unclear whether the buyout would apply if the 38-year-old immediately lands on his feet with the Lobos.

Pitino, the son of legendary college coach Rick Pitino, was only at Florida International for one season before moving north to Minnesota. The Golden Gophers showed early promise, winning 25 games and claiming an NIT title in 2013-14.

That proved to be the high-water mark of the Pitino era. Minnesota made the NCAA tournament twice, exiting in the first round in 2017 and falling to Big Ten rival Michigan State during the second round in 2019.

The program posted sub-.500 records in three of the last four years. So while Pitino wasn't a failure in Minneapolis, it was fair to wonder whether a change was necessary.

The Athletic's Brian Hamilton laid out the drawbacks of the Minnesota vacancy, citing a lack of history, a market that gravitates more toward pro sports over the college game and plenty of surrounding schools to poach the best local talent.

It's not a total coincidence the Golden Gophers' greatest triumph of the modern era—a trip to the 1997 Final Four—was later vacated because of NCAA violations.

Coyle identified the right candidate to guide the football program with P.J. Fleck delivering an 11-win season in 2019. Perhaps he has a similar vision for the men's basketball team with the search for a new head coach now underway.

Minnesota Golden Gophers redshirt sophomore guard Marcus Carr used Instagram to announce he will enter his name into consideration for the 2020 NBA draft on Monday night: 

"After speaking to my family, we have decided that I will be entering my name in this upcoming 2020 NBA draft. My intentions are to stay in the draft and pursue a professional career in the NBA. However during this process I will be retaining my college eligibility status by not signing with an agent.  

"I am looking forward to receiving valuable information, going through whatever process this unique draft year does include, and ultimately making the best the best decision for myself and family. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA and I would like to thank God, my family, and my coaches for putting me in this position. No matter what happens, my time here at the University of Minnesota has provided me with an unbelievable opportunity and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. GOG."

Carr averaged a career-best 15.4 points, 6.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds across 31 starts for the 15-16 Golden Gophers last season. His assists per game led all Minnesota players, while his points per game ranked behind only sophomore big man Daniel Oturu's 20.1. Oturu declared for the draft last week.

Carr was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by the conference's coaches and third-team All-Big Ten by the media voting panel.

The guard's collegiate career began at Pittsburgh in 2017, but the Toronto native transferred to Minnesota in May 2018 and missed the 2018-19 campaign as a result.

All declared players have until 5 p.m. ET on June 15 to withdraw from the draft, which is scheduled for June 25, and return to college, per the NBA.

247Sports' Evan Daniels ultimately expects Carr to return to Minnesota.

Sophomore forward/center Daniel Oturu is leaving the University of Minnesota for the 2020 NBA draft, he told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday. 

"I decided to enter this year's 2020 NBA Draft basically because I felt like this is the right time for me especially with how my season went," Oturu told 247Sports' Evan Daniels. "Basically I felt like this is the best option to go for it. I'm putting all my eggs in the basket for sure."

Oturu was named Second Team All-Big Ten after averaging 20.1 points and 11.3 rebounds across 31 starts during the 2019-20 season. He was the 15-16 Golden Gophers' leading scorer and rebounder.

Oturu improved drastically from his freshman campaign, as he averaged 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in 35 games (31 starts) in 2018-19. He saw an increased role this season from 23.8 minutes per game as a freshman to 33.9 minutes per game as a sophomore.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman evaluated Oturu in early February:

"We've been hesitant about Oturu, a center with limited bounce, 61 turnovers to 23 assists, a suspect jumper and a post-up-heavy repertoire. But it's tough to ignore his 19.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game on 58.8 percent shooting. If his ceiling is a backup center, then to us, he's not an exciting enough gamble in the first round. Although, it sounds like some scouts detect more upside and are higher on his shooting and rim protection."

An anonymous NBA scout described Oturu to Wasserman as "a riser. Plays hard and with defensive toughness. Loved him when scouting him live, and I'll continue to watch."

ESPN's Jonathan Givony has Oturu ranked as the 36th overall prospect in this class (h/t Wojnarowski).

The last Minnesota player to be drafted was Kris Humphries, who went 14th overall to the Utah Jazz in 2004.

Apparently, Ohio State can lose in something.

The football team steamrolled its way through an undefeated season and Big Ten championship to secure a College Football Playoff berth, and the men's basketball team jumped out to a 9-0 start that included impressive wins over North Carolina, Villanova, Cincinnati and Penn State.

Minnesota apparently missed the memo about the Buckeyes always winning.

The Golden Gophers stunned the No. 3 basketball team in the country with an 84-71 victory Sunday, and the crowd stormed the court in the immediate aftermath:

Ohio State had no answer for Marcus Carr, as the sophomore poured in 35 points on a blistering 12-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. Just for good measure, he dished out seven assists and helped Gabe Kalscheur (15 points) and Daniel Oturu (14 points and 13 rebounds) round out the scoring.

Minnesota also deserves plenty of credit for its defensive showing, holding the Scarlet and Gray to 38.3 percent shooting from the field with 14 turnovers.

It didn't help the visitors that big man Kaleb Wesson dealt with foul trouble and second-leading scorer Duane Washington Jr. didn't play because of injury, but the Golden Gophers were clearly the better team Sunday.

Next up for Ohio State is a showdown with Southeast Missouri State on Tuesday, while Minnesota faces Oklahoma State on Saturday.

BR Video

After struggling through the first half of Saturday's second-round NCAA men's basketball tournament game against Michigan State, Amir Coffey provided a spark for Minnesota with a massive dunk that left Aaron Henry turned around.

Coffey simply used his speed and power to overwhelm Henry, who got so twisted he was able to keep his momentum going to run back to the other end of the court when the Spartans inbounded the ball.

BR Video

No. 10 Minnesota defeated No. 7 Louisville in the first upset of March Madness 2019, and guard Gabe Kalscheur led the way for the Gophers. Watch the video above for more about one of the tournament's early breakout stars.

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The Minnesota Golden Gophers have hired Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen as the women's basketball coach—but that doesn't mean the 35-year-old's playing career is over.

The team announced the news Thursday:

Marlene Stollings led the Gophers to a 24-9 record and a trip to the second round of the 2018 NCAA tournament before taking the Texas Tech job this week. Now, Minnesota has turned to a familiar face to lead the program into the future.

Although Whalen will return to coach her alma mater, where she played from 2000-04, she will also continue to play for the Lynx. The player-coach addressed the situation in a statement on the team's official website:

"I have so many special memories at the University of Minnesota. I can't tell you how excited I am to have the opportunity to make more. Becoming the head coach here at the U and being a Gopher again is a dream come true. At every level, basketball has given me so much. I've learned from so many great players, coaches and mentors, and now I have a chance to share that knowledge and help shape the new generation of Gopher stars. I'm ready to get started."

The Gophers welcomed their former star back with a video tribute:

Whalen was drafted out of Minnesota with the fourth overall pick in 2004. She was part of the Gophers' only Final Four team back in 2004 and was the first player in program history to be named team MVP in every year of her career.

Minnesota director of athletics Mark Coyle believes all of Whalen's experiences have prepared her to lead a team, per the team's official website:

"People talk about the 'it' factor, and that is always difficult to define, but everyone who has ever spent time around Lindsay Whalen knows she has it. She has excelled at everything she has ever done in her life because she's unflappable, determined and has a legendary work ethic. She's played for some of the top coaches in the world, she's competed at the highest levels the sport has to offer, and I know she will be a great head coach for our women's basketball program."

Earlier this year, Whalen retired from international competition, but she still has the itch to play. That's why she and the school reached an agreement that allows her to continue her WNBA career while also handling the duties of a Division I coach.

While both playing and coaching require year-round obligations, the schedules make it possible for Whalen to do both. The WNBA regular season runs from May through August, with the championship round tipping off in late September. The college basketball season typically goes from November to early April.

Minnesota basketball player Reggie Lynch will leave the university after dropping his appeal of findings he committed sexual misconduct related to an April 2016 sexual assault.

"I did not commit any of the acts I'm accused of," Lynch said at a news conference in his attorney's office. "In today's climate people automatically assume you're guilty."

"My friends, family and anyone who knows me knows the truth; I have never and would never commit any of the acts I am being accused of. As the son of an amazing mother, I respect all women. I have become a victim of false allegations, and it deeply saddens me to what that can do to someone's life."

Minnesota's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action found Lynch guilty of misconduct in January, recommending expulsion from the school, a decision he immediately appealed.

Lynch is accused of sexually assaulting two women in April 2016. He was arrested in May 2016 but prosecutors in the case decided not to file charges against Lynch.

After appealing the decision, Lynch's expulsion was put on hold and the team benched him, although he was still eligible to play. Lynch's attorney criticized the university for its handling of the case but noted Lynch "intends to pursue his basketball career" at another school.

Lynch was a senior center averaging 10.1 points and 8.0 rebounds for the Gophers. 

An attorney for suspended University of Minnesota basketball player Reggie Lynch said Wednesday his client "categorically and vehemently" denies allegations of sexual assault.

Rochelle Olson and Brandon Stahl of the Star Tribune reported Ryan Pacyga confirmed the Golden Gophers center is seeking an appeal hearing. Lynch was not present at the press conference.

The 23-year-old Minnesota native was suspended from the basketball program and banned from the school's Minneapolis campus until Aug. 1, 2020 last week following an investigation by the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office that started in the fall, per Scott Gleeson of USA Today.

Gleeson noted Lynch requested a review from the Student Sexual Misconduct Subcommittee, which allows him to practice with the Gophers and remain enrolled in the school for the time being.

Pacyga said his client is "eager to clear his name" and is considering all options, including the possibility of leaving the school rather than continuing the appeal process.

"I think, what I have to operate on, is Reggie Lynch is falsely accused and if you want to put a label on it you're welcome to put a label on it," he said. "But anytime someone is dealing with allegations and saying 'I didn’t do this' and you're accused in such a serious situation, I think anyone would feel victimized by that."

The press conference came a day after a third accuser provided details from the EOAA Office investigation related to an incident in April 2016, according to the Star Tribune. The other two allegations stem from the same month.

Lynch started his college basketball career at Illinois State in 2013. He transferred to Minnesota in 2015 and appeared in 49 games for the Gophers before the suspension.