For decades, the Twin Cities have worn the badge of a premier professional sports market. Ever since the arrival of the Twins and Vikings in the 1960s, the local identity has been inextricably linked to the success of the pro teams. Yet, despite being a state with a deep, passionate and immensely talented basketball culture, college hoops in Minnesota has far too often sat on the back burner.
Outside of the Clem Haskins era — specifically from 1989-99 — and the Lindsay Whalen era, Gophers men’s and women’s basketball has been an afterthought. The women’s program under Dawn Plitzuweit has shown progress and recently made it to the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but overall has failed to deliver on sustained success of their neighbors to the south.
The announcement that the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas will square off in men’s and women’s basketball games during the 2026-27 season could be the start of a change in perception and local interest in college basketball in the state of Minnesota.
This isn’t just a non-conference game — it’s a necessary correction.
Bringing the Rivalry Culture Home
Look at the most vibrant college basketball markets in the region and you see a common thread: high-stakes and regional rivalries that capture the local imagination. Iowa vs. Iowa State, Wisconsin vs. Marquette, Cincinnati vs. Xavier — these are the games that kick off the season with a palpable energy. Even Tom Izzo and Michigan State annually face local mid-major, Oakland, based on mutual respect. These matchups force casual fans to pay attention. They turn a Tuesday night in November into a must-see event.
The numbers tell the story: Last season, the Gophers averaged 7,560 fans for non-conference home games in a building that holds over 14,000. Meanwhile, St. Thomas averaged nearly 2,900 fans per game after opening the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena last season. It doesn’t take an analytics expert to see the ceiling here. A marquee matchup between these two, at The Barn, isn’t just another game — it’s an event. When you factor in the proximity of the two campuses and the depth of the local basketball community, it’s not hard to imagine this rivalry pushing the crowd well into the 10,000+ range.
By bringing the Tommies and the Gophers together, we are finally getting a matchup of the only two Division I teams in the state.
The Strategic Landscape
From a competitive standpoint, this is a fascinating dynamic. For the Gophers, this is an opportunity to assert their role as the flagship program in the state — a necessary stance as they face a surging Division I opponent in their own backyard.
Perception is often reality. And by not scheduling St. Thomas in the regular season has left some fans wondering what Minnesota was afraid of. This notion wasn’t put to bed last season when common opponent Green Bay lost to St. Thomas by 19 and took Minnesota into overtime.
2025-2026 Season Performance Summary
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Conference Finish | Postseason Results |
| Minnesota MBB | 15–18 | 8–12 | 11th (Big Ten) | College Basketball Crown (First Round loss to Baylor) |
| St. Thomas MBB | 24–10 | 12–4 | 2nd (Summit) | NIT (First Round loss to Seattle U) |
| Minnesota WBB | 24–9 | 13–5 | 4th (Big Ten) | NCAA Sweet 16 (loss to eventual champion UCLA) |
| St. Thomas WBB | 16–16 | 7–9 | T-5th (Summit) | Summit League Semifinals |
For the Gophers, it’s a no-win situation for sure. However, filling seats on a random November night is a win for Gopher athletics. Scheduling a top-150 KenPom team in the nation who resides five miles from your campus doesn’t just bring competitive non-conference game, but also helps you fill the seats.
For the Tommies, the upside is massive. Securing a game against a team in the Big Ten Conference — especially if it’s annual game — is the exact kind of high-profile exposure needed as they continue their ascent. St. Thomas is no stranger to going on the road to high major programs. They’ve played at Creighton, St. Mary’s (CA), Marquette and others.
It’s pretty well-documented that St. Thomas is trying to build a legitimate case for a future Big East expansion team. Games like these are the building blocks. Looking to the future, an annual Big Ten/Big East collision in the Twin Cities isn’t just good for regional fans — it’s the kind of game that moves the needle nationally.
The “Local” Factor
| Feature | University of Minnesota (Gophers) | University of St. Thomas (Tommies) |
| Undergrad Enrollment | ~32,000+ | ~6,000 |
| Estimated NIL Budget | $7M+ | $2-3M |
| Players from MN | 13 combined on men’s and women’s rosters | 12 combined on men’s and women’s rosters |
Perhaps the most compelling narrative, however, is the roster composition. With the talent pipeline in Minnesota continuing to produce elite-level players, both of these squads are going to be filled with men and women who grew up playing against or with each other in high school gyms across the state. The men’s teams have 13 players total from the state, and the women combine for 12.
These aren’t faceless opponents from across the country — these are local kids who know the history, the culture and their opponents. Those natural storylines are what drive interest, build attendance and bring the local community into the fold.
This series is a win for the fans, a win for the state’s basketball profile and a long-overdue step forward for local college hoops. For Minnesota basketball fans, Nov. 6 and Dec. 1 can’t get here fast enough.