THE HOT CORNER

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Minnesota hired Ben Johnson as its coach, giving the former Gophers player and assistant a five-year contract — and favoring relationships over experience in the latest attempt to lift a longmiddling program up to the top of the Big Ten. Johnson will replace Richard Pitino, who was fired after eight seasons and then took the job at New Mexico. The 40-yearold Johnson was on staff under Pitino for five seasons before spending the past three at Xavier. 2

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: George Mason hired Kim English as coach, turning to a young assistant from a major program to elevate a team still seeking a breakthrough in the Atlantic 10 Conference. English, 32, spent two seasons at Tennessee under Rick Barnes, who 34 years ago began his headcoaching career at the Fairfax, Va., school. Dave Paulsen was fired last week after six seasons with a 95-91 record and no berths in the NCAA Tournament or NIT. 3

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas Tech is adding former Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough as a graduate transfer. Shough started all seven games for the Ducks last season as a redshirt sophomore. He threw for 1,559 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. 4

BASEBALL: The Diamondbacks might be missing their best pitcher on opening day. Zac Gallen is being evaluated for soreness in his right forearm and his status is uncertain to begin the season on April 1. The 25-year-old Gallen was scratched from his scheduled exhibition start on Monday. 5

BASEBALL: Justin Wilson became the second Yankees left-handed reliever to get hurt during spring training, leaving Monday night’s exhibition against Philadelphia because of tightness in his shoulder. Wilson was scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday.