The Gopher basketball team is back in the postseason. No, it's not the NCAA Tournament, but after the struggles of the last few years, an NIT bid is something they can build on.
The last time the Gophers (18-14, 9-12 Big Ten) made the NCAA was back in 2019 and they haven't received a bid to the lower NIT Tournament since winning it all in 2014.
The Gophers will take on Butler who went 9-12 in the Big East (18-14 overall). The game will be in Indianapolis Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
"We're really excited to be invited into the prestigious NIT," said Gophers coach Ben Johnson in a statement. "It's a great opportunity for our team to continue to build, grow, get better and compete. Our guys are excited and looking forward to preparing for it this week. It's the next great step for our program, and we're ready to get back on the court."
Johnson's third season in Dinkytown saw a lot of success after struggling to just 13 wins and 9 wins overall his first two season. The Gophers got to 9 Big Ten wins and had an outside shot of sneaking into the NCAA Tournament, but faded down the stretch losing five of the last six and then losing to Michigan St. in the Big Ten Tournament.
BOTTOM LINE: Butler takes on Minnesota in the National Invitation Tournament.
The Bulldogs’ record in Big East play is 9-12, and their record is 9-2 against non-conference opponents. Butler is 2-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Golden Gophers’ record in Big Ten action is 9-12. Minnesota is 9-2 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 11.3 turnovers per game.
Butler is shooting 45.2% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 44.7% Minnesota allows to opponents. Minnesota averages 8.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than Butler gives up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Pierre Brooks averages 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulldogs, scoring 15.0 points while shooting 41.1% from beyond the arc. Jahmyl Telfort is averaging 13.6 points and 3.1 assists over the past 10 games.
Dawson Garcia is shooting 48.1% and averaging 17.7 points for the Golden Gophers. Cam Christie is averaging 11.8 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 3-7, averaging 67.7 points, 32.2 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 5.4 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points per game.
Golden Gophers: 3-7, averaging 74.8 points, 30.8 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 5.6 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
GOPHER WOMEN: Joining the men in the NIT are the Gopher Women who accepted a big Sunday night. The matchups for that tournament have not been announced yet. First round games will be played Wednesday-Friday.