Gophers Women’s Basketball Faces Wisconsin in Big Ten Clash
MADISON, Wis. – The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (19-6, 10-4 Big Ten) travels to the Kohl Center on Sunday to face the Wisconsin Badgers (13-12, 5-9 Big Ten). Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, with Mike Hall and Shimmy Miller providing commentary. Fans can likewise tune in via radio on KFAN+ 96.7 FM or the iHeartRadio app, featuring Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist.
Gophers Riding High on Winning Streak
Minnesota is currently enjoying a seven-game winning streak, their longest since opening the 2024-25 season with 10 consecutive victories. This marks their second-longest winning streak within the Big Ten conference. The Golden Gophers defeated Nebraska 84-67 on Thursday at Williams Arena, showcasing a balanced offensive attack with all five starters scoring in double figures.
Balanced Offensive Performance
Amaya Battle led the Gophers against Nebraska with 21 points and six rebounds. Mara Braun contributed 15 points, even as Sophie Hart added 14, Grace Grocholski had 12, and Tori McKinney finished with 11. This performance marked only the 10th time in program history that Minnesota’s starting five each reached double-digit scoring, and the first since a November 24, 2024 win over Montana.
Pursuing a Third Consecutive 20-Win Season
A win on Sunday would give the Maroon and Gold their third straight season with 20 or more wins. Previous head coaches Marlene Stollings (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) and Pam Borton (2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05) also achieved this feat.
Series History Favors Minnesota
Minnesota holds a commanding 50-40 lead in the all-time series against Wisconsin. The Gophers have a 21-20 record in Madison and are 25-16 at home against the Badgers. Minnesota won the earlier matchup this season against Wisconsin, 88-53, on January 25th at Williams Arena. Tori McKinney led the Gophers with 20 points, while Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski each added 18.
Gophers Ranked in the Top 25
Minnesota is ranked No. 10 in the NET rankings and is one of 10 Big Ten teams in the top 25. The team’s NET ranking is the third highest in the Big Ten, trailing only UCLA (No. 2) and Michigan (No. 6). Minnesota received 42 votes in the AP Poll and 39 votes in the WBCA USA Today Coaches poll, placing them just outside the top 25.
Statistical Highlights
The Maroon and Gold boast a 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking fourth nationally and second in the Big Ten. Their defense allows only 56.4 points per game, ranking 20th in the nation and first in the conference. Minnesota leads the Big Ten and is third in the NCAA with 11 games this season holding opponents to 50 points or fewer.
Key Players to Watch
Grace Grocholski leads Minnesota with 328 points and averages 13.1 points per game. Amaya Battle is the only active NCAA player (playing from 2022-present) with over 1,000 career points, 700 career rebounds, and 500 career assists, with career totals of 1,425 points, 713 rebounds, and 575 assists. Tori McKinney has averaged a team-leading 16.5 points in the last six games, while Mara Braun has contributed 13.3 points per game during the same stretch.