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Gopher Men’s and Women’s Basketball Set to Host St. Thomas in 2026-27 Season
6/8/2026 9:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's and women's basketball programs are set to host in-town contests with St. Thomas this upcoming basketball season. The Gopher men's program will host the Tommies on Nov. 6, while the Gopher women will welcome St. Thomas to the Barn on Dec. 1. Times and broadcast information will follow at a later date.
"We're excited to have St. Thomas on campus for a game this year," head coach men's basketball coach Niko Medved said. "Having two Division I programs right here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is great for the sport, and I know it's something fans are really looking forward to seeing. Our schedules were able to align this year, so it seemed like a perfect time to create a fun environment here at the Barn."
It marks the first time the Golden Gopher men will compete against the Tommies since 1934 and the first since St. Thomas competed at the Division I level in 2021. Minnesota's all-time record is 6-1 against the Tommies when they were Division III, dating from 1907-1934. All contests were held on the U of M campus. The Gophers won five straight against St. Thomas from 1907 to 1919. Minnesota's lone loss against St. Thomas came in 1933 in a 25-24 Tommies victory, but the Gophers garnered their sixth win in 1934 by a score of 28-18.
Niko Medved enters his second year at the helm of the Minnesota men's basketball team. He led the Gophers to a 15-18 overall record last year and 8-12 in Big Ten play for an 11th-place seeding in the Big Ten Tournament. The Golden Gophers return a core group of Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma, Bobby Durkin, and Grayson Grove, who all started in over 20 games for Minnesota, while Kai Shinholster came off the bench to average 13 minutes a game. Minnesota welcomed five portal additions in the off-season: Kyan Evans, Winters Grady, Nolan Groves, Malick Kordel and Malachi Palmer, while four freshmen enter the mix in the 2026-27 season: Nolen Anderson, Cedric Tomes, Chadrack Mpoyi and Blake Nixon.
The matchup between the Gopher women's basketball team and the Tommies will be their first meeting.
"We are excited to welcome St. Thomas to The Barn this season," head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. "Adding this matchup to our schedule creates a great opportunity for our student-athletes, fans and both institutions. There is tremendous support for women's basketball across the state, and we look forward to a terrific atmosphere on game day.
Minnesota women's basketball enters the 2026-27 season under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit, who begins her fourth year leading the program. The Gophers reached new heights in her third season, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in more than two decades. Minnesota also recorded its third consecutive 20-win season and finished 13-5 in Big Ten play.
Minnesota returns All-Big Ten selections Mara Braun, Tori McKinney and Grace Grocholski. The Gophers also added transfers Tayla Thomas, Leah Harmon and Gracie Merkle, while welcoming freshmen Tori Oehrlein, Kylee Paben, Natalie Kussow and Adit Kuol.
Season tickets are now available through the Gopher Ticket office. Mini Plans, Group Tickets, and Single game tickets will be available at a later date.
"We're excited to have St. Thomas on campus for a game this year," head coach men's basketball coach Niko Medved said. "Having two Division I programs right here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is great for the sport, and I know it's something fans are really looking forward to seeing. Our schedules were able to align this year, so it seemed like a perfect time to create a fun environment here at the Barn."
It marks the first time the Golden Gopher men will compete against the Tommies since 1934 and the first since St. Thomas competed at the Division I level in 2021. Minnesota's all-time record is 6-1 against the Tommies when they were Division III, dating from 1907-1934. All contests were held on the U of M campus. The Gophers won five straight against St. Thomas from 1907 to 1919. Minnesota's lone loss against St. Thomas came in 1933 in a 25-24 Tommies victory, but the Gophers garnered their sixth win in 1934 by a score of 28-18.
Niko Medved enters his second year at the helm of the Minnesota men's basketball team. He led the Gophers to a 15-18 overall record last year and 8-12 in Big Ten play for an 11th-place seeding in the Big Ten Tournament. The Golden Gophers return a core group of Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma, Bobby Durkin, and Grayson Grove, who all started in over 20 games for Minnesota, while Kai Shinholster came off the bench to average 13 minutes a game. Minnesota welcomed five portal additions in the off-season: Kyan Evans, Winters Grady, Nolan Groves, Malick Kordel and Malachi Palmer, while four freshmen enter the mix in the 2026-27 season: Nolen Anderson, Cedric Tomes, Chadrack Mpoyi and Blake Nixon.
The matchup between the Gopher women's basketball team and the Tommies will be their first meeting.
"We are excited to welcome St. Thomas to The Barn this season," head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. "Adding this matchup to our schedule creates a great opportunity for our student-athletes, fans and both institutions. There is tremendous support for women's basketball across the state, and we look forward to a terrific atmosphere on game day.
Minnesota women's basketball enters the 2026-27 season under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit, who begins her fourth year leading the program. The Gophers reached new heights in her third season, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in more than two decades. Minnesota also recorded its third consecutive 20-win season and finished 13-5 in Big Ten play.
Minnesota returns All-Big Ten selections Mara Braun, Tori McKinney and Grace Grocholski. The Gophers also added transfers Tayla Thomas, Leah Harmon and Gracie Merkle, while welcoming freshmen Tori Oehrlein, Kylee Paben, Natalie Kussow and Adit Kuol.
Season tickets are now available through the Gopher Ticket office. Mini Plans, Group Tickets, and Single game tickets will be available at a later date.
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