University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Enter Poll For First Time Since 2002
12/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Minnesota men's basketball team is nationally-ranked for the first time since 2002. The 10-0 Gophers entered the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls with a No. 23 ranking in both polls. The Gophers earned the ranking with a 70-64 victory over No. 9 Louisville on Saturday.
The Gophers were last ranked in the AP poll on December 17, 2002 (No. 25) and December 9, 2002 in the ESPN/USA Today poll (No. 25). Minnesota is one of just 10 unbeaten teams remaining in the country. Minnesota was ranked for six consecutive weeks to start the 2002-03 season.
The Gophers' victory over Louisville was a milestone win of sorts for the program. It was the first win over a top 10-ranked opponent since Feb. 9, 200 when Minnesota beat No. 9 Indiana 77-75. Including Minnesota's win over No. 22 Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament last season, the Maroon and Gold has won consecutive games over ranked opponents for the first time since 2006. The Gopher win over Louisville was also the first over a ranked opponent away from Williams Arena since March 23, 1990 when it defeated No. 6 Syracuse in the NCAA Southeast Regional in New Orleans (not including vacated games).
Minnesota is one of five ranked teams from the Big Ten Conference, joining Purdue (AP 10, ESPN 15), Michigan State (11/18), Ohio State (15/13) and Michigan (24/NR).
Minnesota continues non-conference play tomorrow night when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana (6-4) at Williams Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Tickets are still available by calling 1-800-UGOPHER or visiting the Gopher Ticket Office. You can also order tickets by clicking here.
