University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, January 5
Minneapolis, MN
2:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Illinois
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Minnesota Opens 2025 with B1G Contest vs. Illinois
1/4/2025 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The meeting is the 75th between the Golden Gophers and Fighting Illini
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (14-1, 2-1 B1G) returns to Williams Arena to host RV/RV Illinois (11-3, 1-2 B1G) on Sunday afternoon. Tip off is set for 2:01 p.m. CT and can be streamed on B1G+. Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist will broadcast the game live to listen on KFAN+.
Minnesota (14-1, 2-1 B1G) vs. RV/RV Illinois (11-3, 1-2 B1G)
Stream: B1G+
Tip Time: 2:01 p.m. CT
Radio: KFAN+ 96.7 FM and the iHeartRadio app (Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist)
Location: Williams Arena
About the Illinois Game
• Minnesota and Illinois are meeting for the 75th time, with the Illini holding a 43-31 advantage dating back to 1974. The Golden Gophers hold a 20-15 record over Illinois at The Barn.
• After picking up its first Big Ten victory over Oregon, Illinois dropped its second conference loss to Washington on New Year's Eve, 84-75. The Fighting Illini's other conference loss came against No. 12/7 Ohio State in Columbus on Dec. 8, 2024.
• The loss against Washington ended Illinois's 13-game home winning streak, the second-longest such stretch in program history.
• Against the Huskies, Genesis Bryant had a game-high 32 points. Bryant made four 3-pointers and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Scoring in double figures for the sixth-straight contest, she also grabbed six rebounds, dished out four assists, and made one steal.
• Despite the loss, Illinois saw itself receiving votes in both the AP Top 25 poll and USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
• The Illini are led by fifth year Kendall Bostic, who is averaging 16.1 points per game, ranking her 11th in the Big Ten. She's second in the nation and fifth in the conference with nine double doubles. • • The forward is fifth in the Big Ten in field goals made with 100.
• As a team, Illinois ranks first in the conference in free throw percentage at 78.2%. The Illini are 12th overall in the Big Ten in rebounds, averaging 38.7 per game.
Gopher Notables
• Minnesota is off to its best start since the 2014-15 season, A 77-73 loss to No. 12 Maryland ended the streak 10 years ago. That season, the Gophers had a season high ranking of No. 21 and reached the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
• The Gophers have picked up back-to-back conference wins for the first time since last January. During 2024-25, Minnesota defeated Michigan on the road (82-66) and Nebraska at home (62-58). The win over the Badgers is the first of the Plitzuweit Era of Gopher Hoops and the first in two seasons, breaking the four-game Wisconsin win streak.
• For the first time this season, Minnesota's defense didn't allow a single made field goal in the first quarter. Wisconsin's four points in the first were all made free throws.
• Against the Badgers, Amaya Battle led the Gophers with 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Grace Grocholski followed behind with 12 points, two assists, and two steals. Grocholski also competed for a full 40 minutes.
• Last week at home, Minnesota defeated Penn State at The Barn 90-54. Freshman Tori McKinney had a career high 25 points. The game marked the eighth time in the last nine games McKinney has hit double digit figures.
• Notably, the Gophers didn't allow a point from Penn State's points leader, Gracie Merkle. Merkle had one field goal attempt the entire 40 minutes.
• The Maroon and Gold's win over the Nittany Lions was their largest win margin in a Big Ten Home Opener since 2011-12 when Minnesota beat Indiana 84-43. The win was also the largest conference win in the Dawn Plitzuweit era.
• Minnesota's defense held Penn State to multiple game lows. Including points (54), field goals made (20), field goal percentage (.385), and field goal attempts (52).
• They stayed steady at Wisconsin, allowing the Badgers second lowest marks in field goal percentage (.358), field goals made (19), rebounds (32), and a season low in points (50).
McKinney Named USBWA National Freshman of the Week
• After five-straight games hitting double digit figures and setting a career high 25 points, Tori McKinney was named U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Week on Tuesday.
• In her last nine games, the guard is averaging 12.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Among the team, she ranks first in blocks (7), second in points (153), second in steals (21), and third in assists (33).
• Against Prairie View A&M, McKinney set a career high 17 points and re-set it against Penn State with 25. The freshman heavily contributed to the Maroon & Gold's largest win margin in a Big Ten Home Opener since 2011-12 when Minnesota beat Indiana 84-43.
Record Book Watch
• Head Coach Dawn Plitzuweit is one win shy of a milestone: 400 career wins. Her overall record as a head coach sits at 399-158. Plitzuweit is in her second year at the helm of Minnesota's program.
• With 390 career assists, Amaya Battle now stands alone at No. 8 in Minnesota career assists. She needs 24 more to surpass Emily Fox (2005-09).
• Mallory Heyer has 607 career rebounds (431 defensive, 176 offensive). Heyer sits at No. 8 in Minnesota career defensive rebounds.
• Both Heyer and Battle have the potential to hit 1,000 career points this season. Battle sits at 838 and Heyer is at 756.
• With 10 starts and 15 appearances under her belt, Tori McKinney is eyeing Minnesota freshman season records. She's .486 from the floor after 105 field goal attempts. The mark sits her at No. 5 all-time in freshman season records, surpassing Theresa LeCuyer (.481, 1997-98).
• McKinney sits at No. 1 in Minnesota freshman free throw percentage. She's 37-40 from the line with a .925 mark.
Minnesota (14-1, 2-1 B1G) vs. RV/RV Illinois (11-3, 1-2 B1G)
Stream: B1G+
Tip Time: 2:01 p.m. CT
Radio: KFAN+ 96.7 FM and the iHeartRadio app (Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist)
Location: Williams Arena
About the Illinois Game
• Minnesota and Illinois are meeting for the 75th time, with the Illini holding a 43-31 advantage dating back to 1974. The Golden Gophers hold a 20-15 record over Illinois at The Barn.
• After picking up its first Big Ten victory over Oregon, Illinois dropped its second conference loss to Washington on New Year's Eve, 84-75. The Fighting Illini's other conference loss came against No. 12/7 Ohio State in Columbus on Dec. 8, 2024.
• The loss against Washington ended Illinois's 13-game home winning streak, the second-longest such stretch in program history.
• Against the Huskies, Genesis Bryant had a game-high 32 points. Bryant made four 3-pointers and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Scoring in double figures for the sixth-straight contest, she also grabbed six rebounds, dished out four assists, and made one steal.
• Despite the loss, Illinois saw itself receiving votes in both the AP Top 25 poll and USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
• The Illini are led by fifth year Kendall Bostic, who is averaging 16.1 points per game, ranking her 11th in the Big Ten. She's second in the nation and fifth in the conference with nine double doubles. • • The forward is fifth in the Big Ten in field goals made with 100.
• As a team, Illinois ranks first in the conference in free throw percentage at 78.2%. The Illini are 12th overall in the Big Ten in rebounds, averaging 38.7 per game.
Gopher Notables
• Minnesota is off to its best start since the 2014-15 season, A 77-73 loss to No. 12 Maryland ended the streak 10 years ago. That season, the Gophers had a season high ranking of No. 21 and reached the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
• The Gophers have picked up back-to-back conference wins for the first time since last January. During 2024-25, Minnesota defeated Michigan on the road (82-66) and Nebraska at home (62-58). The win over the Badgers is the first of the Plitzuweit Era of Gopher Hoops and the first in two seasons, breaking the four-game Wisconsin win streak.
• For the first time this season, Minnesota's defense didn't allow a single made field goal in the first quarter. Wisconsin's four points in the first were all made free throws.
• Against the Badgers, Amaya Battle led the Gophers with 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Grace Grocholski followed behind with 12 points, two assists, and two steals. Grocholski also competed for a full 40 minutes.
• Last week at home, Minnesota defeated Penn State at The Barn 90-54. Freshman Tori McKinney had a career high 25 points. The game marked the eighth time in the last nine games McKinney has hit double digit figures.
• Notably, the Gophers didn't allow a point from Penn State's points leader, Gracie Merkle. Merkle had one field goal attempt the entire 40 minutes.
• The Maroon and Gold's win over the Nittany Lions was their largest win margin in a Big Ten Home Opener since 2011-12 when Minnesota beat Indiana 84-43. The win was also the largest conference win in the Dawn Plitzuweit era.
• Minnesota's defense held Penn State to multiple game lows. Including points (54), field goals made (20), field goal percentage (.385), and field goal attempts (52).
• They stayed steady at Wisconsin, allowing the Badgers second lowest marks in field goal percentage (.358), field goals made (19), rebounds (32), and a season low in points (50).
McKinney Named USBWA National Freshman of the Week
• After five-straight games hitting double digit figures and setting a career high 25 points, Tori McKinney was named U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Week on Tuesday.
• In her last nine games, the guard is averaging 12.8 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Among the team, she ranks first in blocks (7), second in points (153), second in steals (21), and third in assists (33).
• Against Prairie View A&M, McKinney set a career high 17 points and re-set it against Penn State with 25. The freshman heavily contributed to the Maroon & Gold's largest win margin in a Big Ten Home Opener since 2011-12 when Minnesota beat Indiana 84-43.
Record Book Watch
• Head Coach Dawn Plitzuweit is one win shy of a milestone: 400 career wins. Her overall record as a head coach sits at 399-158. Plitzuweit is in her second year at the helm of Minnesota's program.
• With 390 career assists, Amaya Battle now stands alone at No. 8 in Minnesota career assists. She needs 24 more to surpass Emily Fox (2005-09).
• Mallory Heyer has 607 career rebounds (431 defensive, 176 offensive). Heyer sits at No. 8 in Minnesota career defensive rebounds.
• Both Heyer and Battle have the potential to hit 1,000 career points this season. Battle sits at 838 and Heyer is at 756.
• With 10 starts and 15 appearances under her belt, Tori McKinney is eyeing Minnesota freshman season records. She's .486 from the floor after 105 field goal attempts. The mark sits her at No. 5 all-time in freshman season records, surpassing Theresa LeCuyer (.481, 1997-98).
• McKinney sits at No. 1 in Minnesota freshman free throw percentage. She's 37-40 from the line with a .925 mark.
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Rout Badgers
Tuesday, January 27
Postgame Reaction: Gophers-Badgers
Sunday, January 25
Highlights: Gophers 88, Wisconsin 53
Sunday, January 25
Cinematic Recap: Gophers-Oregon
Friday, January 23