The Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team, led by coach Ben Johnson, enters the Big Ten tournament aiming to regain momentum despite a late-season slide. The team faces Michigan State in a crucial matchup, with Dawson Garcia expressing optimism about the season. The tournament is hosted at the Target Center for the first time, creating a home-game atmosphere for the Gophers. Minnesota has a historical advantage over Michigan State in the tournament, having won 3 out of 4 previous matchups.
#Gophers are 3-1 vs. Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament, including the last two meetings in 2010 and 2017. Minnesota went to the NCAA tournament in both those seasons.
#Gophers starting lineup vs. Michigan St: Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., Cam Christie, Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne #B1GMBBT
#Gophers band playing with some Minnesota fans cheering as players come out for warmups. Feels a little like a home game. @StribSports @GopherMBB https://t.co/yEf5KUdzsW
First time covering the Big Ten men's basketball tournament in Target Center. #Gophers #Spartans @StribSports @GopherMBB @B1GMBBall #B1GMBBT https://t.co/hcUqfpzO1d
Dawson Garcia hasn't decided on his future, but he believes the #Gophers have a lot left to play for this season in the Big Ten tournament and beyond. It starts today against Michigan State at @TargetCenterMN @StribSports @GopherMBB #B1GMBBT https://t.co/vmEhl9Q6Ch
The Big Ten bracket after tonight here at the Target Center. https://t.co/eSjS6ZS8ey
#Gophers, Michigan State both riding skids into Thursday's Big Ten hoops tourney matchup. Defense will be the difference @StribSports @GopherMBB @MSU_Basketball https://t.co/2Rb45LdNRz
Dawson Garcia believes the #Gophers aren't done winning this season entering the Big Ten tournament. But will he be back once this year is over? That and more on his legacy @StribSports @GopherSports @B1GMBBall #B1GMBBT https://t.co/KYroXOv4VK
Picked up a copy of today's @StarTribune to see our Big Ten men's basketball tournament package. Cool to have this event in town for the second straight week at @TargetCenterMN 🏀💯 @StribSports @B1GMBBall #B1GMBBT https://t.co/HsHV4b4Wef
Picked up a copy of today's @StarTribune to see our Big Ten men's basketball tournament package. Cool to have this event in town for the second straight week at @TargetCenterMN 🏀💯 @StribSports @B1GMBBall #B1GMBBTT https://t.co/1Ty9lrWoyO
The improvement for the #Gophers this season has been obvious -- even amid a late slide entering the Big Ten tourney. Ben Johnson is proud of his program's overall direction, but "we've got to find a way to build on that" @StribSports @GopherMBB @bigten https://t.co/c24na9CUty
Minnesota hosts the Big Ten tournament for first time this week https://t.co/jCeb6Q9NLT
We’ll see you tomorrow, @targetcentermn. 🤩 #B1GMBBT https://t.co/sKgw7cIW64
The #Gophers men's basketball team enters the Big Ten tournament on a 1-4 skid, but coach Ben Johnson is still pleased with the program's momentum @StribSports @GopherMBB https://t.co/c24na9CUty
#Gophers' Ben Johnson sees program's trajectory despite late-season fade. Big Ten tournament gives his team a chance to finish year with momentum: "I want it for these guys so bad. I know they want it." @StribSports @B1GMBBall https://t.co/c24na9Dsj6