The Matchup Minnesota Has Been Waiting For
College basketball fans across the Twin Cities have been asking for this since St. Thomas made the jump from Division III to Division I back in 2021. Now it's official. The University of Minnesota Gophers and St. Thomas Tommies will meet in both men's and women's basketball during the 2026-27 season, with both games scheduled at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
The men's game is set for November 6th, and the women follow on December 1st. These will be the first meetings between the programs since St. Thomas began competing at the D-I level.
A 92-Year Gap on the Men's Side
For the men's programs, this matchup carries serious historical weight. The Gophers and Tommies haven't played since 1934, and Minnesota holds a 6-1 all-time record with every previous game taking place between 1907 and 1934. Niko Medved enters his second season leading the Gophers after a 15-18 campaign, while Johnny Tauer guided St. Thomas to a 24-10 record and a second-place finish in the Summit League last season.
The Tommies earned an NIT bid in 2025-26, showing they can compete well beyond their conference. Bringing that energy into Williams Arena against the Gophers should make for one of the most anticipated nonconference games in the state.
Women's Programs Meet for the First Time
The women's game is a first-ever meeting between the two programs. Dawn Plitzuweit's Gophers are coming off a Sweet 16 run and finished ranked 15th in the final AP Top 25 with a 24-9 record. St. Thomas enters a transition year after longtime coach Ruth Sinn retired following 21 seasons and a 417-169 record. Former Minnesota Duluth coach Mandy Pearson takes over after leading the Bulldogs to the Division II Elite Eight last season.
Why This Matters for the Twin Cities
Having two Division I basketball programs in the same metro area creates a unique dynamic for the Minneapolis-St. Paul sports landscape. This is the kind of event that brings casual fans off the couch and into the arena, and it signals continued growth in the visibility and energy around college athletics in the region. For neighborhoods near the University of Minnesota campus and across the east metro, strong athletic programs contribute to community identity and local engagement.
Season tickets are available through the Gophers ticket office, with single-game tickets to be released later.
Let's Talk
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk. Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
