Ben Johnson and Gophers ready to launch new season

Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson said his team is ready to start its new season and the bulk of practices will begin next week.

Johnson is entering his fourth season with the Gophers, and if they can build on their year three success, they will be in good shape. The Gophers won 19 games last season and earned a victory in the first round of the NIT.

***Click the video box above to hear Ben Johnson’s full comments on the upcoming season***

“The work to become a winner was set,” Johnson told reporters Thursday. “Winning nine championship games, winning 19 games, getting the playoffs in the NIT and winning a game on the road, there were a lot of wins,” Johnson said.

The Gophers have two exhibition games before their season begins, they host Bemidji State on October 19 and Hamline on October 29.