The Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s basketball team is gearing up for a busy week, facing off against No. 25 Iowa on Tuesday after securing an 84-78 victory over Northwestern. This marks the Gophers’ third game in six days as they continue their Big Ten campaign. Following the matchup with Iowa, Minnesota will host No. 24 USC on Friday before playing Wisconsin on January 13.
The Gophers are riding high after their recent win, which snapped a three-game losing streak against Northwestern. The team demonstrated resilience, rallying from a 67-60 deficit in the final minutes to outscore the Wildcats 24-11 in the closing stretch. Minnesota showcased impressive shooting, hitting 54.9% of their shots from the field and an even more remarkable 84.6% from the free-throw line, their third-best performance of the season.
Several players stood out in the Northwestern game, with one athlete tying a career-high of 18 points and connecting on four three-pointers. Another contributor notched a career-high 13 assists, which ranks among the top performances in Minnesota history, while another went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field for 12 points. Additionally, one player has been a consistent scoring threat, reaching double-figures in all 14 games this season and averaging 22.1 points per game, placing second in the Big Ten.
As Minnesota prepares to face Iowa, both teams will feature first-year Big Ten coaches, with Minnesota’s head coach in his 13th season and Iowa’s in his 17th. The all-time series favors the Gophers 103-96, with the last meeting resulting in a 72-67 victory for Minnesota, breaking a six-game winning streak in the series for Iowa. The Gophers are also looking to reclaim a home win against the Hawkeyes after their last triumph over Iowa at home in 2020 during a thrilling overtime matchup.
On the other side, Iowa comes into the game with a 12-2 record and a recent victory over UCLA, marking the best start for the program since the 2020-21 season. They have displayed strong offensive capabilities, averaging 80.7 points per game, while boasting the top defense in the league allowing only 60.1 points. The Hawkeyes will be led by their leading scorer, who averages 17.8 points per game, along with a roster filled with skilled transfers.
Looking ahead, the Gophers will remain at home when they take on USC on Friday, aiming to continue their winning momentum. This series of challenging matchups offers an exciting opportunity for the Golden Gophers to solidify their standing in the Big Ten and build momentum as they progress through the season.