The Gophers open against #13 Northwestern on Wednesday
With the Big Ten regular season complete after their 75-67 loss in overtime at Rutgers on Sunday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers can now look ahead to extending their season as long as possible through the Big Ten Tournament. After the large 5-way tie at 7-13 in the Big Ten standings was broken, the Gophers came out on the top of the pack and will be the #12 seed in the Big Ten Tournament which begins Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Minnesota knew they were in the tournament prior to their game against Rutgers on Sunday, but knew the game would have a direct result in the seeding. With the win, the Scarlet Knights jumped ahead of the large pack tied at 7-13 to 8-12 and will be the #11 seed. Minnesota had the best record against the five teams tied at 7-13— Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern and USC and thus won the tiebreaker and was awarded the #12 seed. The Cornhuskers were the big loser on Sunday losing at home Ito Iowa, and with their five consecutive losses to end the regular season lost the tiebreaker and will be the 16th team—missing the Big Ten Tournament. They saw their season come to an end along with Penn State and Washington who also will sit the inaugural 15-team tournament out.
Minnesota will face #13 seeded Northwestern at 2:30 PM Wednesday in the first game of the Tournament. Minnesota lost their lone game to the Wildcats this season 75-63 in Williams Arena just a few weeks ago. Dawson Garcia led the team with 26 points but the team shot just 41% from the field and gave up 29 to Nick Martenelli. Northwestern took a 10-0 lead in the first 2:15 of the game and Minnesota was chasing from the very start.
The winner of Wednesday’s game will advance to face #5 Wisconsin on Thursday at approximately 1:45 PM. Wednesday’s game will stream on Peacock. The full Big Ten Tournament bracket is below:
