All articles tagged with #minnesota gophers
Minnesota is pursuing two transfer guards—Kyan Evans (North Carolina) and Nolan Groves (Texas Tech)—with clear rivalries: Evans faces UNC as the main competitor, plus potential interest from Iowa, while Groves appears in a two-horse race between Minnesota and Wisconsin as both seek to bolster the backcourt; the outcome could hinge on late offers and Medved’s ability to sell Minnesota as the best fit.
No. 1 UCLA pulled away in the second half to defeat Minnesota 80-56 in the NCAA women's Sweet 16, ending the Gophers’ season at 24-9. UCLA outscored Minnesota 46-27 after halftime, led by Kiki Rice with 21 points and Lauren Betts with 16 points and five blocks, while Minnesota struggled to attack the Bruins’ size and received limited bench production. Minnesota also heads into offseason with Amaya Battle and Sophie Hart set to graduate, though key returners such as Mara Braun, Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney remain.
Minnesota hired Brett Larson as its new men's hockey coach, betting on his early-St. Cloud State success and believing the Gophers’ resources, donor support, and fan base can help him reset a program that faded in recent years. While Larson’s tenure at St. Cloud State showed strong starts followed by a downturn amid NIL and transfer portal shifts, endorsements from alums like Brock Faber and leadership from AD Mark Coyle suggest a strategic move to return Minnesota to national prominence in a changing college hockey landscape.
Minnesota named St. Cloud State’s Brett Larson as its new men’s hockey head coach, replacing Bob Motzko. Reactions on social media have been largely negative, with critics questioning his resume and recent Huskies performance. Larson will need to win over a demanding fan base by quickly building his roster and staff—rumors point to Cory Laylin and Matt Cullen as potential assistants—as the Gophers chase national prominence.
Minnesota’s hunt for a new men’s hockey coach after Bob Motzko’s firing is ongoing, with Pat Ferschweiler of Western Michigan reportedly not yet contacted despite being a Minnesota native; reports say AD Mark Coyle has interviewed candidates Brett Larson and Grant Potulny, while Garrett Raboin remains at Augustana and a second, mystery candidate could also be in the mix.
Minnesota upset No. 10 Michigan State 76-73 at Williams Arena, snapping a seven-game skid and earning their third win over a ranked opponent this season. The Gophers started strong, got a breakout 13-point, 8-rebound performance from transfer Bobby Durkin, and got 17 points from Cade Tyson as they limited Jeremy Fears Jr. to 10, all while missing four rotational players—a showing of progress for first-year coach Niko Medved and a useful proof-of-concept for Minnesota.
Wisconsin erased an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Minnesota 67-63 at the Kohl Center, aided by a defensive turnaround and a second-half surge from Nick Boyd (21 points) and John Blackwell (23), after the starters struggled in the first half.
Former Minnesota safety and return specialist Koi Perich committed to Oregon, keeping his career in the Big Ten after entering the transfer portal. A top safety in this cycle, Perich posted 128 tackles and six interceptions over two seasons with the Gophers and chose Oregon over Texas Tech. He’ll be eligible for the 2027 NFL draft and won’t face Minnesota in the regular season unless a postseason meeting occurs; Minnesota has added safety depth this offseason with Kerry Brown, Aidan Gousby, Mekhai Smith, and Parker Knutson as the Ducks push for another title under Dan Lanning.
Minnesota aims to extend its record 8-game bowl winning streak when it faces New Mexico in the Rate Bowl, highlighting the team's strong bowl tradition and the Lobos' rising performance under new coach Jason Eck. The game emphasizes the players' love for football and the significance of bowl games despite their often secondary status in college football.
Former Minnesota Gophers basketball player Mallory Heyer unexpectedly entered the transfer portal and committed to Oregon, where she will play starting in the 2026-27 season as a graduate transfer, after playing 102 games for Minnesota.
Minnesota's women's basketball team convincingly defeated Marquette 90-47 in their season opener against a Power Conference opponent, demonstrating depth and resilience despite key injuries, and showcasing their versatile team play and strategic planning.
After a 41-3 loss to Iowa, the Minnesota Gophers face uncertainty as they seek to improve and reach bowl eligibility, reflecting on a game where they were thoroughly outplayed and outcoached, with key players and strategies falling short.
Minnesota's Gophers narrowly defeated Purdue 27-20 in a sluggish game, highlighting their strong recruiting class and key players like Lindsey, Perich, and Taylor, while also revealing coaching and defensive struggles against a better-coached Purdue team.
The Minnesota Gophers, underdog by 23.5 points, are preparing to face the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in a challenging game, with offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. expressing excitement about the opportunity and highlighting the unique defensive scheme of Ohio State, which has been historically strong this season.
Minnesota Gophers beat writer Randy Johnson assesses the team's performance as good but not great, with a season goal of at least eight wins. The Gophers rank top 10 in total defense but face challenges against Ohio State's potent offense. Johnson predicts Ohio State will take control early in their upcoming game, with the Gophers pushing back before the Buckeyes pull away after halftime.