Ben Johnson's Gophers tenure may end soon

Yes, but: Johnson's been praised for his basketball acumen, but has been hamstrung by a lack of name, image, likeness (NIL) money compared to other Big Ten programs.

• Now that players can profit off their name and image, donors for universities have pooled money to pay players.
• Last season, Johnson led a turnaround and the Gophers went 19-15, but programs with more NIL money poached two of the team's top players by offering them more lucrative deals, the Pioneer Press reported.

What we're watching: The opening round of the Big Ten tournament, which pits the Gophers against Northwestern at 2:30pm Wednesday on Peacock.

• If they lose, we'll be waiting to see if University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle gives Johnson another season or sends him packing.

What else we're watching: The Selection Sunday show, which will tell us if the Gophers women's team makes the NCAA tournament.

• They are on the "bubble" after losing their first game of the Big Ten tournament last week.