University of Minnesota Athletics
Monday, November 16
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Western Illinois
11/14/2026 3:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus - pbp, Parker Fox - analyst)
Time: 7:04 p.m. (potential 5-minute slide)
Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 257
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, 4-0
Minnesota at Home vs. Western Illinois: 4-0
Medved vs. Western Illinois: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Dec. 6, 2003 (MN win, 86-64)
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back home Monday for the final time in the next 22 days as the Golden Gophers host Western Illinois at 7 p.m. The Gophers will be televised on Big Ten Network and broadcast on KFAN FM 100.3.
• The Gophers enter the Western Illinois contest with a 4-0 record after a win over Southern on Nov. 12. The 2026-27 season marks the first 4-0 season start since 2021-22.
• Isaac Asuma has led the Gopher offense with two 20-point games already this year. He had a career-best 20 vs. St. Thomas on Nov. 6 and established a new career-high 23 points in the win over Southern. He also made nine field goals in the win, another career high. Through four games, the junior averages a team-best 16.5 points. His 47.6 percent from beyond the arc ranks second in the Big Ten.
• The Gophers have allowed just 58.5 points to their opponents through four games this season. That ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally. Only Iowa, Rutgers, Wisconsin and UCLA are allowing fewer points than the Gophers this season. In addition, the Gophers are averaging 43.3 rebounds through four games this season. That's tied for fourth in the Big Ten, while Minnesota's defensive rebounds (30.8) rank third in the league.
• Minnesota has connected on 42 three-pointers in 112 attempts. That ranks fifth in the Big Ten. On the flip side, the Gophers have allowed just 24 threes in 106 attempts and rank tied for second-lowest among Big Ten Teams. The Gopher opponents have scored just 22.6 percent of threes through four games. Asuma, Bobby Durkin and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson have combined for 27 of the team's 42 threes.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota and Western Illinois are meeting for the fifth time in school history and the first since 2003. Minnesota is 4-0 against the Leathernecks, dating back to 1948. All games have been played at the Barn.
• In 2003, Ben Johnson's game-high 23 points led Minnesota to an 86-64 win at the Barn. Kris Humphries posted his fourth double-double in five games with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
• Minnesota is 9-0 against current Ohio Valley teams.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Home: 4-0 • Away: 0-0
1948 12/4 H W 68-46
1972 12/2 H W 111-66
1987 11/30 H W 84-52
2003 12/6 H W 86-64
ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS
• Western Illinois enters the Minnesota contest with a 1-3 record after dropping a 91-83 decision to CSU Bakersfield on Thursday. The Leathernecks opened the season against Valparaiso and fell, 90-58. After a 74-67 loss to Houston Christian, WIU earned its first win of the year against Simpson College, 90-48 on Nov. 9. Western Illinois was predicted to finish seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference. Minnesota is one of three Big Ten teams on the WIU nonconference schedule this season, which also features Indiana and Iowa.
• Makai Kvamme and Danny Stephens return for the Leathernecks this year. Kvamme started 16 games at point guard last season for WIU and averages 11.8 points with a team-best eight steals. Stephens also returns after an injury-interrupted season. He averaged 13.0 points and is shooting 57.6 percent from the field. Southeastern transfer Daivion Traylor leads the team in points (14.3) and rebounds (6.5). Returner Jack Riley has a team-best six three-pointers.
• As a team, the Leathernecks average 74.5 points, but allow 73.3. They are shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota travels to South Carolina to compete at the Charleston Classic, Nov. 20 & 22 against Oklahoma State and Utah. Both games will be televised on ESPN2, with Mike Grimm calling the game on KFAN FM 100.3 and the Gopher Radio Network.
ABOUT THE CHARLESTON CLASSIC
• Minnesota is one of six teams participating in the 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, now in its 18th year at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. The 2026 edition features three standalone games each day, with each team playing one game on November 20 and one on November 22. The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech.
Stream: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus - pbp, Parker Fox - analyst)
Time: 7:04 p.m. (potential 5-minute slide)
Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius Radio: 257
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, 4-0
Minnesota at Home vs. Western Illinois: 4-0
Medved vs. Western Illinois: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Dec. 6, 2003 (MN win, 86-64)
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back home Monday for the final time in the next 22 days as the Golden Gophers host Western Illinois at 7 p.m. The Gophers will be televised on Big Ten Network and broadcast on KFAN FM 100.3.
• The Gophers enter the Western Illinois contest with a 4-0 record after a win over Southern on Nov. 12. The 2026-27 season marks the first 4-0 season start since 2021-22.
• Isaac Asuma has led the Gopher offense with two 20-point games already this year. He had a career-best 20 vs. St. Thomas on Nov. 6 and established a new career-high 23 points in the win over Southern. He also made nine field goals in the win, another career high. Through four games, the junior averages a team-best 16.5 points. His 47.6 percent from beyond the arc ranks second in the Big Ten.
• The Gophers have allowed just 58.5 points to their opponents through four games this season. That ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally. Only Iowa, Rutgers, Wisconsin and UCLA are allowing fewer points than the Gophers this season. In addition, the Gophers are averaging 43.3 rebounds through four games this season. That's tied for fourth in the Big Ten, while Minnesota's defensive rebounds (30.8) rank third in the league.
• Minnesota has connected on 42 three-pointers in 112 attempts. That ranks fifth in the Big Ten. On the flip side, the Gophers have allowed just 24 threes in 106 attempts and rank tied for second-lowest among Big Ten Teams. The Gopher opponents have scored just 22.6 percent of threes through four games. Asuma, Bobby Durkin and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson have combined for 27 of the team's 42 threes.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Minnesota and Western Illinois are meeting for the fifth time in school history and the first since 2003. Minnesota is 4-0 against the Leathernecks, dating back to 1948. All games have been played at the Barn.
• In 2003, Ben Johnson's game-high 23 points led Minnesota to an 86-64 win at the Barn. Kris Humphries posted his fourth double-double in five games with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
• Minnesota is 9-0 against current Ohio Valley teams.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Home: 4-0 • Away: 0-0
1948 12/4 H W 68-46
1972 12/2 H W 111-66
1987 11/30 H W 84-52
2003 12/6 H W 86-64
ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS
• Western Illinois enters the Minnesota contest with a 1-3 record after dropping a 91-83 decision to CSU Bakersfield on Thursday. The Leathernecks opened the season against Valparaiso and fell, 90-58. After a 74-67 loss to Houston Christian, WIU earned its first win of the year against Simpson College, 90-48 on Nov. 9. Western Illinois was predicted to finish seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference. Minnesota is one of three Big Ten teams on the WIU nonconference schedule this season, which also features Indiana and Iowa.
• Makai Kvamme and Danny Stephens return for the Leathernecks this year. Kvamme started 16 games at point guard last season for WIU and averages 11.8 points with a team-best eight steals. Stephens also returns after an injury-interrupted season. He averaged 13.0 points and is shooting 57.6 percent from the field. Southeastern transfer Daivion Traylor leads the team in points (14.3) and rebounds (6.5). Returner Jack Riley has a team-best six three-pointers.
• As a team, the Leathernecks average 74.5 points, but allow 73.3. They are shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota travels to South Carolina to compete at the Charleston Classic, Nov. 20 & 22 against Oklahoma State and Utah. Both games will be televised on ESPN2, with Mike Grimm calling the game on KFAN FM 100.3 and the Gopher Radio Network.
ABOUT THE CHARLESTON CLASSIC
• Minnesota is one of six teams participating in the 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, now in its 18th year at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. The 2026 edition features three standalone games each day, with each team playing one game on November 20 and one on November 22. The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballFriday, November 13
Thursday, November 12
Wednesday, November 11
Wednesday, November 11