University of Minnesota Athletics
Monday, November 2
8:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
North Dakota
Photo by: Kelly Lynn
10/29/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: B1G+
Tip Time: 8:01 p.m.
Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 266
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DOUBLEHEADER MONDAY
The University of Minnesota men's and women's basketball programs will host a doubleheader on the opening day of college basketball, Monday, Nov. 2. Gopher women's basketball is set for a 5 p.m. start, while the Gopher men's program is slated for an 8 pm. tipoff. Men's basketball ticket holders are welcome to arrive early and attend the women's basketball game. Seating will be available in Sections 110 and 112, Row 16 and above, until the Gopher women's game concludes. Fans may then move to their assigned seats for the men's game. Women's basketball fans are invited to stay for the men's game by utilizing bench seating in Sections 212, 213, or 224. In addition, student tickets are FREE for both men's and women's basketball for this game by using your Gopher Student Sports Pass.
OPEN GATE AND BAG POLICY
Entrances in The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will now utilize Open Gate screening technology to expedite entry into the venue. This innovative system is designed to screen individuals for prohibited items without requiring people to remove everyday items like phones or keys. Fans are still encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated BAG POLICY. The updated bag policy is designed to provide a safer environment and significantly expedite fan entry into the building.
SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series: 20-2
Minnesota vs. North Dakota at the Barn: 19-2
Medved vs. North Dakota: 1-0
Last Meeting: Exhibition, 2025 (MN W, 82-62);
Official Game: 2020 (MN W, 76-67)
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball opens the 2026-27 campaign when it hosts North Dakota, Monday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. The game will be streamed on B1G+ and be available on the Gopher Radio Network. Gopher women's basketball also plays at home on Nov. 2 when it hosts Harvard at 5 p.m. The last time both teams opened the season at home on the same day was Nov. 7, 2022.
• Minnesota split a pair of open exhibitions prior to the start of the season. The Gophers opened season 132 with a 72-52 win over Omaha on Oct. 15 as Malick Kordel led all scorers with 13 points. Bobby Durkin and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson followed with 11 and 10, respectively. The Gophers traveled to Omaha, Neb., and went double overtime with Creighton, 89-86 on Friday, Oct. 23. Minnesota rallied from an 18-point deficit, but fell in double overtime. Isaac Asuma scored 32 points, 30 of which came after halftime. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Kai Shinholster each had a double double in the game.
• Niko Medved returns for his second year at the helm of Gopher men's basketball after leading the team to a 15-18 overall record and 8-12 in Big Ten play, good enough for 11th in the league.
• Minnesota welcomes back 53 percent of its scoring from last year's squad with the returners of Asuma, Crocker-Johnson, Durkin, Shinholster and Grayson Grove. The Gophers welcome nine newcomers to the 2026-27 edition, including Kyan Evans, who played for Niko Medved at Colorado State.
• The home of Golden Gopher basketball is now known as the Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, which was introduced on June 12, 2026.
CROCKER-JOHNSON NAMED TO KARL MALONE AWARD WATCHLIST
• Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has been named to the 2027 Karl Malone Award preseason watch list, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Oct. 29. Crocker-Johnson is one of five Big Ten athletes to make the list.
• Crocker-Johnson, a 6-foot-8 forward, returns to the Golden Gopher program for his second year after being the team's second-leading scorer last year. Crocker-Johnson averaged 13.4 points and started in 24 games last season before being sidelined with a foot injury. Crocker-Johnson also led the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8. Last year, Crocker-Johnson scored three double-doubles, five 20-point games, 19 double-figure games and four double-digit rebound games. In addition, Crocker-Johnson had 43 assists and shot .415 from the field.
• Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota is 20-2 all-time against North Dakota, dating back to 1914. Minnesota played an an exhibition game against the Fighting Hawks last season and won, 82-62. The Gophers faced UND in the regular season in 2020, when they won, 76-67, also at the Barn. UND's two wins over the Gophers came in 1914 and 1928, both on the U of M campus.
ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA
• North Dakota finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-17 overall record. UND finished third in Summit League action (10-6) and advanced to the Summit League title game a year ago. The Fighting Hawks were predicted to finish sixth in the 2026-27 preseason coaches poll.
• The Fighting Hawks lost four of their top five scorers from a year ago either by graduation or transfers. Sharpshooter Zach Kraft returns to UND for his senior season after leading the team in three-point shooting (.399), makes (73) and attempts (183). Also returning for UND is Josh Jones, who started in 21 games and averaged 17.8 minutes.
• North Dakota welcomes seven transfers and four freshmen to this year's roster, including Division I transfers Tyler Wagner (Austin Peay) and Samuel Hincapie (Le Moyne).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
• With Nov. 2 signifying opening day of college basketball, 16 Big Ten teams, including the Gophers, open the season that day. Iowa opens the season on Nov. 3, while Rutgers opens the season on Nov. 6.
• Of the 18 schools in the Big Ten, 15 teams open with games at home. Purdue opens the season vs. Gonzaga, while UCLA faces Arizona, both of which games are a part of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. Ohio State travels to BYU for its opening game.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota hosts its second game of the week when it welcomes in-town foe St. Thomas to the Barn on Nov. 6. It will be the first match up between the two teams since St. Thomas transitioned from Division III to Division I. Game time is set for 7 p.m., and will be available on Peacock as well as the Gopher Radio Network.
Stream: B1G+
Tip Time: 8:01 p.m.
Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 266
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DOUBLEHEADER MONDAY
The University of Minnesota men's and women's basketball programs will host a doubleheader on the opening day of college basketball, Monday, Nov. 2. Gopher women's basketball is set for a 5 p.m. start, while the Gopher men's program is slated for an 8 pm. tipoff. Men's basketball ticket holders are welcome to arrive early and attend the women's basketball game. Seating will be available in Sections 110 and 112, Row 16 and above, until the Gopher women's game concludes. Fans may then move to their assigned seats for the men's game. Women's basketball fans are invited to stay for the men's game by utilizing bench seating in Sections 212, 213, or 224. In addition, student tickets are FREE for both men's and women's basketball for this game by using your Gopher Student Sports Pass.
OPEN GATE AND BAG POLICY
Entrances in The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will now utilize Open Gate screening technology to expedite entry into the venue. This innovative system is designed to screen individuals for prohibited items without requiring people to remove everyday items like phones or keys. Fans are still encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated BAG POLICY. The updated bag policy is designed to provide a safer environment and significantly expedite fan entry into the building.
SERIES INFORMATION
All-Time Series: 20-2
Minnesota vs. North Dakota at the Barn: 19-2
Medved vs. North Dakota: 1-0
Last Meeting: Exhibition, 2025 (MN W, 82-62);
Official Game: 2020 (MN W, 76-67)
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball opens the 2026-27 campaign when it hosts North Dakota, Monday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. The game will be streamed on B1G+ and be available on the Gopher Radio Network. Gopher women's basketball also plays at home on Nov. 2 when it hosts Harvard at 5 p.m. The last time both teams opened the season at home on the same day was Nov. 7, 2022.
• Minnesota split a pair of open exhibitions prior to the start of the season. The Gophers opened season 132 with a 72-52 win over Omaha on Oct. 15 as Malick Kordel led all scorers with 13 points. Bobby Durkin and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson followed with 11 and 10, respectively. The Gophers traveled to Omaha, Neb., and went double overtime with Creighton, 89-86 on Friday, Oct. 23. Minnesota rallied from an 18-point deficit, but fell in double overtime. Isaac Asuma scored 32 points, 30 of which came after halftime. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Kai Shinholster each had a double double in the game.
• Niko Medved returns for his second year at the helm of Gopher men's basketball after leading the team to a 15-18 overall record and 8-12 in Big Ten play, good enough for 11th in the league.
• Minnesota welcomes back 53 percent of its scoring from last year's squad with the returners of Asuma, Crocker-Johnson, Durkin, Shinholster and Grayson Grove. The Gophers welcome nine newcomers to the 2026-27 edition, including Kyan Evans, who played for Niko Medved at Colorado State.
• The home of Golden Gopher basketball is now known as the Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, which was introduced on June 12, 2026.
CROCKER-JOHNSON NAMED TO KARL MALONE AWARD WATCHLIST
• Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has been named to the 2027 Karl Malone Award preseason watch list, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Oct. 29. Crocker-Johnson is one of five Big Ten athletes to make the list.
• Crocker-Johnson, a 6-foot-8 forward, returns to the Golden Gopher program for his second year after being the team's second-leading scorer last year. Crocker-Johnson averaged 13.4 points and started in 24 games last season before being sidelined with a foot injury. Crocker-Johnson also led the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8. Last year, Crocker-Johnson scored three double-doubles, five 20-point games, 19 double-figure games and four double-digit rebound games. In addition, Crocker-Johnson had 43 assists and shot .415 from the field.
• Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota is 20-2 all-time against North Dakota, dating back to 1914. Minnesota played an an exhibition game against the Fighting Hawks last season and won, 82-62. The Gophers faced UND in the regular season in 2020, when they won, 76-67, also at the Barn. UND's two wins over the Gophers came in 1914 and 1928, both on the U of M campus.
ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA
• North Dakota finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-17 overall record. UND finished third in Summit League action (10-6) and advanced to the Summit League title game a year ago. The Fighting Hawks were predicted to finish sixth in the 2026-27 preseason coaches poll.
• The Fighting Hawks lost four of their top five scorers from a year ago either by graduation or transfers. Sharpshooter Zach Kraft returns to UND for his senior season after leading the team in three-point shooting (.399), makes (73) and attempts (183). Also returning for UND is Josh Jones, who started in 21 games and averaged 17.8 minutes.
• North Dakota welcomes seven transfers and four freshmen to this year's roster, including Division I transfers Tyler Wagner (Austin Peay) and Samuel Hincapie (Le Moyne).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
• With Nov. 2 signifying opening day of college basketball, 16 Big Ten teams, including the Gophers, open the season that day. Iowa opens the season on Nov. 3, while Rutgers opens the season on Nov. 6.
• Of the 18 schools in the Big Ten, 15 teams open with games at home. Purdue opens the season vs. Gonzaga, while UCLA faces Arizona, both of which games are a part of the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas. Ohio State travels to BYU for its opening game.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota hosts its second game of the week when it welcomes in-town foe St. Thomas to the Barn on Nov. 6. It will be the first match up between the two teams since St. Thomas transitioned from Division III to Division I. Game time is set for 7 p.m., and will be available on Peacock as well as the Gopher Radio Network.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballThursday, October 29
Friday, October 16
Wednesday, October 14
Wednesday, October 14