BIG Game 13: Gophers @ Rutgers, Feb 8th

[DietCokeFan]

Where will the Gophers appear in the rankings?? They should be no less than 17-18 (I'd still say under ranked) but my guess is probably 22-23

#22-#25

 

[WinMinGophers!]

Where will the Gophers appear in the rankings?? They should be no less than 17-18 (I'd still say under ranked) but my guess is probably 22-23

Google AI says 21-24. Projected spot is 23.

Minnesota is projected to enter the
AP Top 25 rankings for the first time this season in the poll to be released on Monday, February 9, 2026. Following a massive road upset of then-No. 10 Iowa on February 5 and a subsequent 63–52 victory over Rutgers on February 8, the Golden Gophers have now won six consecutive Big Ten games.

Ranking Outlook

• AP Poll Prediction: While currently unranked, Minnesota received nine votes (30th overall) in the February 2 poll. Their top-10 road win is expected to catapult them into the No. 20–25 range.
• Advanced Metrics: Minnesota already boasts elite status in other rankings, currently sitting at No. 9 in the NCAA NET rankings as of February 7, 2026.
• Conference Standings: The Gophers are 18–6 overall and 9–4 in the Big Ten, placing them 6th in one of the nation's toughest conferences.

The bottom of the current Top 25 is vulnerable, creating a clear path for Minnesota's entry:

• Washington (No. 24): While they beat Wisconsin in overtime on February 8, they suffered consecutive home losses to Illinois and Ohio State earlier in the week. This inconsistency, paired with Minnesota's high-profile win over Iowa, makes them a prime candidate to be leapfrogged.
• Maryland (No. 22): The Terrapins took a significant 6-spot tumble in the last poll and remain on shaky ground.
• Princeton (No. 23): They fell 4 spots last week and could slide further if voters prioritize Minnesota's Big Ten success.

Based on their recent performance and the current poll landscape, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are projected to break into the AP Top 25 for the first time in 2026, likely landing between No. 21 and No. 24 in the poll to be released on February 9, 2026.

• Top 10 Upset: On February 5, the Gophers secured a massive 91–85 road win over No. 10 Iowa, shooting a school-record 71.4% from three-point range. This was the program's first top-10 road victory since 2003.
• Continued Momentum: They followed the upset by defeating Rutgers 63–52 on the road on February 8, extending their winning streak to six games.
• NET Gains: Minnesota's metric profile is elite; they currently rank 9th in the NCAA NET rankings, which heavily influences AP voters as the season progresses.

Minnesota Recent Performance (Last 5 Games)

Date	Opponent	Result	Key Stat
Feb 8, 2026	@ Rutgers	W 63–52	Sophie Hart: 17 pts, 10 reb
Feb 5, 2026	@ No. 10 Iowa	W 91–85	Team shot record 71.4% from 3PT
Feb 1, 2026	vs Purdue	W 88–55	Fifth straight conference win
Jan 28, 2026	@ Penn State	W 87–66	21-point road victory
Jan 25, 2026	vs Wisconsin	W 88–53	35-point blowout win

Minnesota's next opportunity to solidify their new ranking will be at home against Nebraska on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM CT.

 

[Gophers112233]

today's +/-

Tori 11
GG 11
Mara 9
Sophie 8
Glenn 6
Kena 6
Nia 4
Amaya 1
Tonga -1