University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, November 12
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Southern
Photo by: Mac Brown
11/11/2026 12:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: B1G +
Time: 7:01 p.m.
Radio: KTLK 103.5 FM, 1130 AM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 263
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: Minnesota leads, 1-0
Minnesota at Home vs. Southern: 1-0
Medved vs. Southern: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Dec. 10, 2014 (MN win, 85-57)
* excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back home Thursday when it faces Southern at 7 p.m. The Southern matchup is the first of two Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchups this year for the Gophers. Minnesota 15-0 all time against current SWAC members.
• The Gophers enter the Southern contest with a 3-0 record after a dramatic come-from-behind win over Cincinnati on Monday, 63-61. The 2026-27 season marks the first 3-0 season start since 2021-22.
• Bobby Durkin drained a game-winning three with .4 remaining as the Gophers went on a 9-0 run to win the game Monday in Cincinnati. It was Minnesota's first last-second shot since Dawson Garcia's game-winning three over Michigan, Jan. 16, 2025. It was the first nonconference win over a P4 opponent since Mississippi State on Dec. 5, 2021. Minnesota committed 17 turnovers against Cincinnati and still won. It was the first time since Nov. 6, 2023, against Bethune-Cookman that the Gophers committed 15+ turnovers and won, and the first time since March 10, 2021, they committed 15+ turnovers and beat a P4 opponent (Northwestern).
• Kyan Evans had a breakout game against Cincinnati when he scored a career-high 26 points and added a career-high 10 rebounds. He also had the most field goals made (11) and attempted (19) of his career. His 26 points bettered the 23 he set against Memphis in the NCAA Tournament in 2025. This season, the senior averages 12.7 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds after Monday's performance.
• Minnesota is home for back-to-back games on Thursday and again Monday (Western Ill.)before playing away from the Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota until Dec. 8.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota and Southern are meeting for the first time since 2014 as the Gophers hold a 1-0 all time lead over the Jaguars.
• The last time these two teams faced each other, the Gophers earned a 85-57 win at the Barn. Former Gopher Andre Hollins scored 24 points in the win, while Mo Walker and Carlos Morris each had 11.
• Minnesota's last SWAC opponent was Alcorn State on Nov. 8, 2025 in a 95-50 win at the Barn.
ABOUT SOUTHERN
• Southern was predicted to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this year, earning three first-place votes. Bethune-Cookman took the top billing in the preseason coaches poll, announced Oct. 17. The SWAC is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the nation's elite in terms of HBCU alums playing on professional teams.
• The Southern Jaguars enter the Minnesota contest 0-4 and are currently on a five-game road trip. After falling in its opener to SMU, 85-72 on Nov. 2, Southern fell to TCU (106-54), Drake (75-68) and Iowa State Tuesday night (84-47). The Jaguars will play their first home game of the season on Nov. 17 after the Minnesota game, then head back on the road for two at Nebraska (Nov. 25) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 27).
• Malik Ferguson and Daniel Dormu lead the Jaguars in scoring, averaging 8.0 points, while RChaun King is at 7.8 ppg. King leads the team in assists (16) and rebounds, while Dormu leads the team in steals (8).
GOPHERS ADD SANTOS TO 2027-28 ROSTER
• University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Niko Medved has announced that Isaiah Santos (Katy, Texas) has officially signed with the Golden Gophers and is set to join the program in June of 2027.
• Santos, a 6-foot, 5-inch forward, plays for Seven Lakes High School, AB Elite and Team Brazil. As a junior with Seven Lakes, Santos averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game en route to a 35-1 Spartans season. For his efforts, Santos earned All-Greater Houston Player of the Year honors.
• Santos has been involved with Team Brazil since 2023. This past June, Santos was a member of Brazil's FIBA U18 AmeriCup Team and helped them win a bronze medal, averaging 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds. On the 2024 FIBA U17 team, he played in the South American Championship, where he averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds for first-place Brazil.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota returns to the Barn on Monday, Nov. 16, when it hosts Western Illinois at 7 p.m. The game will televised on Big Ten Network, while and Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will call it on KFAN FM 100.3 and the Gopher Radio Network.
Stream: B1G +
Time: 7:01 p.m.
Radio: KTLK 103.5 FM, 1130 AM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 263
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: Minnesota leads, 1-0
Minnesota at Home vs. Southern: 1-0
Medved vs. Southern: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Dec. 10, 2014 (MN win, 85-57)
* excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back home Thursday when it faces Southern at 7 p.m. The Southern matchup is the first of two Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchups this year for the Gophers. Minnesota 15-0 all time against current SWAC members.
• The Gophers enter the Southern contest with a 3-0 record after a dramatic come-from-behind win over Cincinnati on Monday, 63-61. The 2026-27 season marks the first 3-0 season start since 2021-22.
• Bobby Durkin drained a game-winning three with .4 remaining as the Gophers went on a 9-0 run to win the game Monday in Cincinnati. It was Minnesota's first last-second shot since Dawson Garcia's game-winning three over Michigan, Jan. 16, 2025. It was the first nonconference win over a P4 opponent since Mississippi State on Dec. 5, 2021. Minnesota committed 17 turnovers against Cincinnati and still won. It was the first time since Nov. 6, 2023, against Bethune-Cookman that the Gophers committed 15+ turnovers and won, and the first time since March 10, 2021, they committed 15+ turnovers and beat a P4 opponent (Northwestern).
• Kyan Evans had a breakout game against Cincinnati when he scored a career-high 26 points and added a career-high 10 rebounds. He also had the most field goals made (11) and attempted (19) of his career. His 26 points bettered the 23 he set against Memphis in the NCAA Tournament in 2025. This season, the senior averages 12.7 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds after Monday's performance.
• Minnesota is home for back-to-back games on Thursday and again Monday (Western Ill.)before playing away from the Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota until Dec. 8.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota and Southern are meeting for the first time since 2014 as the Gophers hold a 1-0 all time lead over the Jaguars.
• The last time these two teams faced each other, the Gophers earned a 85-57 win at the Barn. Former Gopher Andre Hollins scored 24 points in the win, while Mo Walker and Carlos Morris each had 11.
• Minnesota's last SWAC opponent was Alcorn State on Nov. 8, 2025 in a 95-50 win at the Barn.
ABOUT SOUTHERN
• Southern was predicted to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this year, earning three first-place votes. Bethune-Cookman took the top billing in the preseason coaches poll, announced Oct. 17. The SWAC is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the nation's elite in terms of HBCU alums playing on professional teams.
• The Southern Jaguars enter the Minnesota contest 0-4 and are currently on a five-game road trip. After falling in its opener to SMU, 85-72 on Nov. 2, Southern fell to TCU (106-54), Drake (75-68) and Iowa State Tuesday night (84-47). The Jaguars will play their first home game of the season on Nov. 17 after the Minnesota game, then head back on the road for two at Nebraska (Nov. 25) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 27).
• Malik Ferguson and Daniel Dormu lead the Jaguars in scoring, averaging 8.0 points, while RChaun King is at 7.8 ppg. King leads the team in assists (16) and rebounds, while Dormu leads the team in steals (8).
GOPHERS ADD SANTOS TO 2027-28 ROSTER
• University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Niko Medved has announced that Isaiah Santos (Katy, Texas) has officially signed with the Golden Gophers and is set to join the program in June of 2027.
• Santos, a 6-foot, 5-inch forward, plays for Seven Lakes High School, AB Elite and Team Brazil. As a junior with Seven Lakes, Santos averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game en route to a 35-1 Spartans season. For his efforts, Santos earned All-Greater Houston Player of the Year honors.
• Santos has been involved with Team Brazil since 2023. This past June, Santos was a member of Brazil's FIBA U18 AmeriCup Team and helped them win a bronze medal, averaging 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds. On the 2024 FIBA U17 team, he played in the South American Championship, where he averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds for first-place Brazil.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota returns to the Barn on Monday, Nov. 16, when it hosts Western Illinois at 7 p.m. The game will televised on Big Ten Network, while and Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will call it on KFAN FM 100.3 and the Gopher Radio Network.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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