Gophers Set to Face St. Thomas in First Division I Matchup
The rivalry game moves to The Barn, where head coach Niko Medved explains why the low-major opponent poses a unique scheduling risk.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team prepares for a historic fixture Friday night, marking the first meeting between the Gophers and the University of St. Thomas in Division I competition. The St. Thomas Tommies, who joined the Summit League in 2021, will cross the Mississippi River to take on their local rivals at The Barn.
Coach Niko Medved acknowledged the crowd size and the atmosphere surrounding the event during a practice session on Thursday. He estimated that approximately 10,000 fans would attend, calling the turnout a positive development for the sport in the region. Medved described the game as fun and significant for early in the season, though he cautioned against overstating its importance on the national stage.
The scheduling choice reflects a calculated risk for the Gophers. Medved stated that the Tommies offer no resume benefit in a Division I context because they remain a low-major program in the Summit League. A victory would do little to improve the team's early NCAA Tournament profile, whereas a defeat could severely damage their standing. He emphasized that the primary motivation for the matchup is to generate local enthusiasm for basketball in the Twin Cities.
Medved addressed the debate surrounding annual rivalries, noting that the game must be classified as a Quad 1 or Quad 2 matchup to justify a yearly commitment. He compared the situation to the Cincinnati and Xavier rivalry, which carries that weight. The coach expressed hope for receiving credit for prioritizing local interest over statistical metrics, arguing that the decision is about doing what is best for the Minnesota program rather than following emotional cues.
The Gophers enter the game following an 85-50 victory over North Dakota on Monday night. Five players reached double figures in scoring, and the team recorded 29 assists on 34 made field goals. Medved praised the ball movement and unselfish play displayed in that opener.
The coaching staff will continue to evaluate the team's performance through the following week. A trip to Cincinnati on Nov. 9 is scheduled to provide a clearer indication of the roster's competitive level as the non-conference slate progresses.
