The Minnesota golden gophers' team represents the University of Minnesota. The golden gophers have played in the big ten since the conference began sponsoring basketball in 1905. The team plays its home games in William Arena and is currently coached by Tubby Smith, the coach of their team. The Gophers had great success in the early years of basketball, but have been largely overshadowed by other programs since the end of World war .In total; the Gophers have won nine Big Ten Championships, but only four since 1919. College basketball research organizations have retroactively awarded Minnesota national championships in 1902, 1903, and 1919.The team has also had several instances where NCAA put sanctions on the program that have affected recruiting and performance. In the 1970s, the Gophers were in a violent brawl with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The more severe one was the mid-1990s academic scandal under the coach Clem Haskins that resulted in the forfeiture of a Final Four appearance.



Gophers at the Northwestern, ending a fifteen year losing streak at the Wisconsin with an impressive and thrilling 78-74 overtime win, Thursday night is no doubt one of the highest point of Tubby Smith's tenure as a coach at Minnesota. Though this was one of the biggest win in many years for the basketball team, Big Ten Conference title talk is on still. It is still not that easy, even for 18-Ranked Minnesota in second position in the league behind the Michigan basketball team.

Junior Lawrence Westbrook, who scored a career-best 29 points says, "I think it was the biggest win, especially because here it's a conference game at the Wisconsin. I am happy and we were going to enjoy and celebrate it. But we have to take it hard against northwestern". Gophers director (athletic) Mr. Joel Maturi marveled at how Gophers team fought back from a 14-point second half and became only the 3rd Big Ten School to win at Wisconsin in last eight seasons. But still he wouldn't yet call a Big Ten title contender.

The women's basketball team has become much more successful recently and has been a constant participant of the NCAA in the last 5 seasons, namely in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and also in 1994. The team appeared in the Sweet 16 in 2003, 2004, 2005, and advanced to the Final Four in 2004. With five fall sports teams advancing to postseason competition, the University of Minnesota ranks 13th in the final fall standings, which measure the nation's top overall athletics program. The Gophers totaled 239.5 points during the fall to rank third among Big Ten schools. Points were given to them based on the finishes in NCAA postseason competition.

The Gophers are moving towards another firm start during the winter season with nationally-ranked teams in men's basketball. Gophers take another road trip to one of the toughest places to play in the Conference. The Golden Gophers has a history of many great players coming through the program throughout its history. Back in the early years of basketball, when the Gophers had success, they had some of the best players in the country.