Gophers Face Tough Test Against No. 3 Michigan
As the Golden Gophers men's basketball team hits the road to face the formidable No. 3 Michigan Wolverines, fans are in for an exciting showdown.
While Minnesota trails the all-time series 94-65, they've managed to snag victories in their last two encounters. Their most recent triumph was an electrifying 84-81 overtime win at Williams Arena, showcasing their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion.
Recent Performance
Minnesota, currently sitting at 13-14 overall and 6-10 in Big Ten play, is riding the momentum of two consecutive conference wins. Their latest was a commanding 80-61 victory over Rutgers, where the Gophers shot a season-best 60% from the field and drained 15-of-26 from beyond the arc.
This performance marked their largest margin of victory against a Big Ten rival since 2021, and those 15 three-pointers now rank fourth in school history. All five starters hit double figures, each playing over 35 minutes.
Key Players
Cade Tyson was on fire against Rutgers, hitting 7-of-9 three-pointers and finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds. This was his 11th game scoring over 20 points this season, and he also reached career milestones of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds. Tyson is a force to be reckoned with, ranking sixth in the Big Ten with 19.5 points per game and consistently scoring in double digits throughout the season.
Langston Reynolds added 19 points and nine assists in the Rutgers game, marking his 18th double-figure scoring game this season. Reynolds has been a steady contributor, with 11 games of five or more assists.
Grayson Grove is making the most of his starting role, scoring in double digits in back-to-back games. After setting a career-high against Oregon, he followed up with 11 points and eight rebounds against Rutgers. Previously averaging 15 minutes off the bench, Grove is now logging significant minutes and averaging 9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over the past three games.
The Michigan Challenge
Facing a powerhouse like Michigan, with a 25-2 record and 15-1 in Big Ten play, is no small task. The Wolverines are coming off a narrow 68-63 loss to Duke, but prior to that, they were on an 11-game winning streak.
Yaxel Lendeborg leads Michigan with 14.6 points per game, while Morez Johnson Jr. boasts a shooting percentage of 66.2%. Aday Mara is a defensive stalwart with a league-leading 73 blocks.
The Wolverines' balanced attack and deep bench make them a formidable opponent.
Michigan's offensive prowess is evident as they lead the Big Ten in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 89.6 to 68.7. They also top the conference in bench points, field goal percentage, and blocks per game.
Looking Ahead
After the battle in Ann Arbor, Minnesota returns home to face UCLA at Williams Arena. With the game set to be televised on FS1, fans will have another chance to see if the Gophers can continue their recent success and build on their Big Ten victories.