Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson made progress last season, but key players entering the transfer portal set him and his team back. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

In the wee hours Thursday morning, Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson was let go by Athletics Director Mark Coyle.

The University of Minnesota is parting ways with Gopher men's basketball head coach Ben Johnson after a disappointing exit at the men's Big 10 Basketball Tournament.The Gophers finished 15-17 after losing to Northwestern on Wednesday in the first round of the conference tournament.