MADISON, Wis. – The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (19-6, 10-4 Big Ten) continues its pursuit of a third consecutive 20-win season as it heads 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 on the call. Fans can also tune in via radio on KFAN+ 96.7 FM or the iHeartRadio app, featuring Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist.
The Golden Gophers are riding a seven-game winning streak, most recently defeating Nebraska 84-67 on Thursday at Williams Arena. This marks Minnesota’s longest winning streak since opening the 2024-25 season with 10 consecutive victories, and their second-longest within the Big Ten conference.
Thursday’s victory saw a balanced offensive attack, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Amaya Battle led the way with 21 points and six rebounds, followed by Mara Braun (15 points), Sophie Hart (14 points), Grace Grocholski (12 points), and Tori McKinney (11 points). It was 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.
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.
Gophers Dominate Series History
Minnesota holds a commanding 50-40 lead in the all-time series against Wisconsin. The Gophers have been successful on the road, posting a 21-20 record in Madison, and are 25-16 at home against the Badgers. Earlier this season, on January 25th, Minnesota secured an 88-53 victory over Wisconsin at The Barn, led by 20 points from Tori McKinney and 18 points each from Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski. The Gophers have won the last three matchups against Wisconsin, including two victories last season.
Strong NET Ranking and National Recognition
Minnesota currently boasts a NET ranking of No. 10, placing them among the top 25 teams in the nation and third in the Big Ten, trailing only No. 2 UCLA and No. 6 Michigan. While not currently in the AP or WBCA USA Today Coaches polls, the Gophers received votes in both, receiving 42 and 39 votes respectively, positioning them as the first team outside the Top 25.
The Gophers’ efficient offense is highlighted by their 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking fourth nationally and second in the Big Ten, behind UConn (1.88), UCLA (1.7), and Iowa State (1.64). Defensively, Minnesota allows just 56.4 points per game, the best in the Big Ten and 20th-best in the country. They lead the Big Ten and are third in the NCAA with 11 games this season holding opponents to 50 points or fewer, trailing only Connecticut (13) and Fairleigh Dickinson.
Key Players to Watch
Grace Grocholski currently leads Minnesota in scoring with 328 points and an average of 13.1 points per game. The guard-forward is shooting efficiently from the field (50.6%), from three-point range (46.3%), and from the free-throw line (82.8%). She has 208 career three-pointers, ranking eighth in program history, and is currently sixth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in three-point percentage.
Amaya Battle stands out as the only active NCAA player (since 2022) with over 1,000 career points, 700 career rebounds, and 500 career assists, currently totaling 1,425 points, 713 rebounds, and 575 assists. She is four assists away from surpassing Lindsay Whalen (578) for second all-time in Minnesota’s record book.
Tori McKinney has been a key contributor in recent games, averaging a team-leading 16.5 points over the last six contests, along with 19 assists and 11 steals. She recently recorded back-to-back 20-point performances, scoring 23 against Penn State on January 28th and 20 against Wisconsin on January 25th. Mara Braun has also been a spark on offense, averaging 13.3 points in the last six games, including a season-high 22 points at Penn State on January 28th.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will look to continue their strong form and secure a 20-win season as they face the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday. The game promises to be a competitive matchup between two Big Ten rivals.
What are your thoughts on Minnesota’s chances against Wisconsin? Share your predictions in the comments below!
