Gophers men’s basketball to play in SoCal Challenge over Thanksgiving
Gophers forward Jamison Battle drives for a basket during Minnesota's game against Ohio State Thursday night at Williams Arena. ((credit: University of Minnesota Athletics))
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team will spend at least part of its Thanksgiving week in southern California, playing in the SoCal Challenge.
The Gophers are one of eight teams in the field, which is divided into two divisions. Minnesota is in the Surf Division, along with UNLV, Cal Baptist and Southern Illinois. The San Division features Cal State, Central Michigan, High Point and Tennessee State.
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Ben Johnson has been the University of Minnesota men’s basketball coach for a little more than a year, and has already experienced the highs and lows of the NCAA transfer portal. Last year after his hiring, 10 players transferred out of the program. His first commitment was Jamison Battle, who has the looks of a future Big Ten star.
The tournament will be played Nov. 21-23 at the Pavilion at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
"We're looking forward to playing in the SoCal Challenge and facing some great competition Thanksgiving week," Gophers coach Ben Johnson said in a statement. "We know our student-athletes will have a first-class experience at such a well-run national tournament. I'm excited for our Gophers fans to experience a fun, warm destination that they can travel to and enjoy."
In Johnson’s first season as head coach, the Gophers competed in the Asheville Championship in North Carolina, beating Western Kentucky and Princeton in double overtime as part of a 9-0 non-conference slate.
Johnson and the Gophers have had an offseason of revamping the roster after finishing 13-17 last year. Jamison Battle is the only starter returning, but Johnson has added former Prior Lake star Dawson Garcia through the NCAA transfer portal, and guards Ta’Lon Cooper and Taurus Samuels. Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen will be back healthy after season-ending knee injuries, and freshmen Braeden Carrington, Jaden Henley, Joshua Ola-Joseph and Pharrel Payne are expected to make impacts.
The Gophers' 2022 schedule will also likely include a home game in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and a home game against Mississippi State as part of a home-and-home series.