University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Set to Play Rutgers in Big Ten Tournament Wednesday
3/8/2026 6:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball team will hold the No. 11 seed in the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, March 10-15 at the United Center in Chicago. With the 11 seed, Minnesota will face the No. 14 seed Rutgers on Wednesday night 25 minutes after the 5:30 p.m., Game 5 between Indiana and the winner of Northwestern/Penn State, approximately 8 p.m. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network, while Mike Grimm and Al Nolen have the call on KTLK (AM 1130 / FM 103.5).
The Golden Gophers finished the Big Ten season with an 8-12 record. Minnesota earned three wins over ranked Big Ten opponents (Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State) as well as wins over Northwestern (twice), UCLA, Rutgers and Oregon for its eight-win season. It marks head coach Niko Medved's first Big Ten season of his Gopher tenure. Medved enters the Big Ten Tournament with a 237-188 career record over the course of 13 years and a 15-16 record at the helm of Gopher Basketball.
The Golden Gophers have faced Rutgers twice in Big Ten Tournament play, and the first time since 2018. Minnesota is 1-1 in those matchups, defeating the Scarlet Knights 80-68 in 2015, but falling 65-54 in 2018. It also marks the third time both teams met in the 11/14 seeding matchup, with Minnesota as the 11 seed and Rutgers as the 14th. The 2026 tournament marks the 12th time it has been held at the United Center and the first since 2023.
Should the Gophers advance, they would face No. 6 seed UCLA on Thursday, also at 8 p.m., 25 minutes after 5:30 p.m., in Game 9.
The Golden Gophers finished the Big Ten season with an 8-12 record. Minnesota earned three wins over ranked Big Ten opponents (Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State) as well as wins over Northwestern (twice), UCLA, Rutgers and Oregon for its eight-win season. It marks head coach Niko Medved's first Big Ten season of his Gopher tenure. Medved enters the Big Ten Tournament with a 237-188 career record over the course of 13 years and a 15-16 record at the helm of Gopher Basketball.
The Golden Gophers have faced Rutgers twice in Big Ten Tournament play, and the first time since 2018. Minnesota is 1-1 in those matchups, defeating the Scarlet Knights 80-68 in 2015, but falling 65-54 in 2018. It also marks the third time both teams met in the 11/14 seeding matchup, with Minnesota as the 11 seed and Rutgers as the 14th. The 2026 tournament marks the 12th time it has been held at the United Center and the first since 2023.
Should the Gophers advance, they would face No. 6 seed UCLA on Thursday, also at 8 p.m., 25 minutes after 5:30 p.m., in Game 9.
Highlights: Gophers 67, Northwestern 66
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Senior Salute
Friday, March 06
Highlights: Gophers 47, Indiana 77
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Tuesday, March 03