In the heart of Minnesota, where hockey often reigns supreme and the Vikings capture the headlines, a basketball revolution is quietly unfolding. Chris Finch, a familiar face in the Minnesota sports scene, has long championed the idea that Minneapolis is a basketball town just waiting for something to cheer for. And right now, the fans are certainly finding plenty to get excited about.
Minnesota's basketball faithful have a rich history of rallying behind their teams. From the early 2000s, when Kevin Garnett's Timberwolves and Lindsay Whalen's Gophers captured hearts, to the dominance of the Minnesota Lynx, who raised four banners in the late 2000s and 2010s, the passion for basketball has always been there.
In recent seasons, both the Wolves and Lynx have been lighting up the courts, with the Lynx making it to the 2024 WNBA Finals and topping the regular-season standings in 2025. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have been making back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. But this spring, another team is stepping into the spotlight: the University of Minnesota women's basketball team.
The Gophers have secured home court advantage for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, boasting a 23-8 record and a national ranking of 18th. It's a throwback to the 2004-05 season when Lindsay Whalen led them to host tournament games.
The excitement has drawn out some notable figures. Among the crowd were PJ Fleck, head coach of the Gophers football team, and Men’s basketball coach Niko Medvid.
Even Governor Tim Walz was spotted in the stands. Rachel Banham, the WNBA guard and Gophers' all-time points leader, watched from a suite alongside former Gophers coach and Lynx assistant Lindsay Whalen.
Adding to the star-studded attendance were Lynx standouts Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride. Collier, a UConn national champion and two-time MVP runner-up, chose to support the Gophers over her alma mater, while McBride was seen engaging with fans before the game.
For local fans like Wayzata native Mara Braun, the presence of these basketball icons meant the world. "It’s so cool, we love watching them, we look up to them," Braun shared, reflecting on the support from her idols.
Gophers starter Tori McKinney echoed this sentiment, expressing awe at the WNBA players attending their game. "It was insane... having everyone come back and just see the support," she said.
Sophie Hart, a senior guard from Farmington, added her thoughts on the impact of having Lynx players in attendance. "It showed a lot of us Minnesota girls what’s possible," she noted, highlighting the inspiration drawn from watching these stars.
The energy in Williams Arena was electric, proving Finch's point about Minnesota's basketball fervor. Nearly 10,400 fans packed the venue to witness the Gophers' first tournament win since 2017-18, a moment that left Braun overwhelmed with emotion.
As they prepare to host Ole Miss in the Round of 32, the Gophers are already riding high, with ticket sales soaring. Head coach Dawn Plitzuit shared that Lindsay Whalen confirmed the Lynx will be back to cheer them on. For Minnesota's basketball fans, there's no such thing as too much of the game they love in this thriving basketball town.