The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. This marks a significant achievement for the program, which made its first NCAA appearance in 1994. The Gophers have been on a remarkable run, winning 11 of their last 13 games leading up to the tournament.
Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Plitzuweit, the Gophers have secured 13 wins in Big Ten play, a feat they have accomplished only three times in the program’s history. Plitzuweit has also made her mark by achieving 26 league wins in her first three seasons, ranking third in the program’s history.
As the Gophers prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, they are currently ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25 and No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. This ranking reflects their strong performance throughout the season, including a nine-game winning streak from January 18 to February 18, 2026.
Key players have stepped up this season, with Grace Grocholski leading the team with 380 points. Additionally, Amaya Battle has made headlines by surpassing Lindsay Whalen to become Minnesota’s No. 2 all-time assists leader. Tori McKinney has also been a standout, averaging 13.5 points per game over the last 12 games.
In their NCAA Tournament history, the Gophers hold a record of 13-10 and have only hosted the tournament twice, in 2004 and 2005. This year, they are looking to make a deeper run and build on their past successes.
Observers are optimistic about the Gophers’ chances, especially given their strong defensive performance, allowing only 57.9 points per game. As they gear up for the tournament, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable, with fans eager to see how far they can go.
With the tournament set to begin, the Gophers are focused on their game plan and ready to compete at a high level. The upcoming match against Ole Miss will be a crucial test for the team, as they aim to advance further in the tournament.
As the Gophers look ahead, the combination of talent, teamwork, and coaching could lead to a memorable NCAA Tournament run. The anticipation is building, and the basketball community is watching closely to see how this season unfolds for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.