-Minnesota’s outdated facilities may have contributed to the loss of former recruits Krys Faber and Verdell Jones III, according to one Gophers insider. Williams Arena is one of the oldest venues in the country and every basketball program in the Big Ten seems to have some plan to build new facilities except the Gophers. Jones, a guard from Champaign, Ill., signed with Indiana, where a brand new practice facility is in the works, while Faber, a center from L.A., signed with DePaul, where the Blue Demons play in an arena that recently underwent a $20 million renovation.

-Former Iowa State guard Wesley Johnson, who recently decided to transfer, wants to know if the Gophers are interested in his services. Johnson was a member of the Big 12 All-Rookie squad that featured Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin. But injuries hurt the talented sophomore last season. It’s an intriguing idea for the Gophers to grab a player like Johnson. Prior to last season’s Iowa State contest, Tubby Smith spent some time talking to reporters about Johnson’s talent. But Smith doesn’t like to bring in transfers. Johnson wouldn’t be allowed to play until the 2009-10 season. And that’s the year that Royce White arrives to play the 2/3 spot that Johnson would want to play.

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