The No. 18/18 University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) returns to The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota on Tuesday to host defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, the Southern University Jaguars (0-2, 0-0 SWAC), for its Military Appreciation Night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:01 p.m. CT.
No. 18/18Minnesota (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) vs. Southern (0-2, 0-0 SWAC)
Tip Time: 7:01 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+ (Marisa Cate, Blythe Whealy)
Radio: KFAN+ 96.7 FM and the iHeartRadio app (Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist)
Location: The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Promotions: Gopher Women’s Basketball honors all veteran and active duty service members!
Vet Tix: Through a partnership with Vet Tix, we are able to provide complimentary tickets to active military personnel and veterans. A small fee associated helps Vet Tix distribute tickets to all service members. Sign up for an account and become verified to receive your tickets today!
Vet Tix Link: z.umn.edu/WBBVetTix2627
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.
MINNESOTA’S CAMO UNIFORMS
• In honor of Military Appreciation night, the Gophers will be wearing special camo uniforms that were requested from Nike and designed by the team’s equipment manager, Emily Oberlander.
• Minnesota is the only Power 4 program to have special camo uniforms for the 2026-27 season.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Tuesday’s game marks the fourth all-time meeting between Minnesota and Southern in a series that started in 2003.
• The Gophers lead the series 3-0.
• The last time the two teams met was Nov. 25, 2014, at The Barn. Minnesota won 107-62.
STARTING FIVE
• Minnesota picked up its first road win of the season over Marquette, 87-79, on Saturday at the Al McGuire Center. The victory over the Golden Eagles saw five Gophers score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski’s 25-point, 11-rebound double-double. Leah Harmon scored 17, while freshmen Natalie Kussow and Tori Oherlein each had 12. Mara Braun rounded it out with 11 points on the day.
• As of Nov. 9, 2026, Minnesota ranks No. 18 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
• Grocholski ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game (4.0), third in 3-pointers (8) and 3-point percentage (.615), and fourth in points per game (22.5).
• Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit enters her fourth season at the helm of the Gopher women’s basketball program. Last season, Plitzuweit guided the Maroon and Gold to its best season in more than 20 years with a run to the Sweet 16.
• The home of Golden Gopher basketball is now known as The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, which was introduced June 12, 2026.
NOTES TO KNOW
• Junior Leah Harmon had a career-high four steals against Marquette on Sunday.
• Freshman Natalie Kussow had six assists against the Golden Eagles, marking a Gophers’ team high and career high.
• Last week, Grace Grocholski had two 20-plus-point performances, scoring 20 against Harvard and 25 against Marquette. She’s the first Gopher to score 20 or more points in back-to-back games since Tori McKinney did so against Wisconsin (20) on Jan. 25, 2026, and at Penn State (32) on Jan. 28, 2026.
• Saturday’s win at Marquette saw five Gophers score in double figures. It marked the first time happening since Feb. 12, 2026, against Nebraska (Amaya Battle (21), Mara Braun (15), Sophie Hart (14), Grace Grocholski (12), Tori McKinney (11)) that Minnesota had five players hit the mark.
• Junior Tayla Thomas had 10 rebounds against the Crimson and 10 rebounds against the Golden Eagles. She’s the first Gopher to pull down 10 or more rebounds in two consecutive games since Sophie Hart did so against USF (10 on Nov. 24, 2025) and Alabama (11 on Nov. 26, 2025).
• The Maroon and Gold’s 20 assists marked the first time the Gophers had 20 or more since dishing out 21 against Wisconsin on Jan. 25, 2026.
GRACIE MERKLE LISA LESLIE AWARD
• It was announced that Gracie Merkle was named to the 20-player watch list for the 2027 Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award.
• The Lisa Leslie Award, now in its 10th year, recognizes the top center in NCAA Division I women’s college basketball. It is named after the three-time All-American, 1994 National Player of the Year, and Class of 2015 Hall of Famer.
• The winner of the 2027 Leslie Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Awards (Small Forward), and the Katrina McClain Awards (Power Forward).
ABOUT SOUTHERN
• The Jaguars enter year nine under head coach Carlos Funchess. Under Funchess, the Jaguars are 136-116 and have won two regular-season SWAC titles and four SWAC tournament titles.
• The 2025-26 season marked the second year in a row that the Jaguars won the SWAC tournament and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
• Southern also enters the season with two players receiving preseason recognition from the conference. Jocelyn Tate was named the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while DeMya Porter earned a spot on the All-SWAC preseason first team.
• Minnesota is Southern’s third consecutive Power Four opponent. The Jaguars played at Oklahoma State on Nov. 2 and at Illinois on Nov. 7.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
