The Minnesota Golden Gophers, currently ranked No. 16, are set to kick off their conference play with a highly anticipated match against the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers. This exciting matchup will take place tonight at 8 p.m. CT at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, marking the first time the Gophers have hosted the Badgers at home since 2022. Fans are encouraged to participate in a ‘Gold Out’ event to show their support for the team.
Television coverage of the match will be provided by Big Ten Network, featuring commentators Sloane Martin and Emily Ehman. Additionally, Tanner Hoops will be on the airwaves with the radio broadcast available on GopherSports.com.
Game Overview
Matchup: No. 16 Minnesota vs. No. 7 Wisconsin
Date: Wednesday, September 25
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Location: Maturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, Minn.
Historical Context
In their historical rivalry, Minnesota leads Wisconsin with a record of 53 wins to 38 losses. However, the Badgers are coming into this match with momentum, having won their last two encounters. The teams have faced each other since their first meeting in 1975, with the most recent clash occurring in 2023.
Key Player Milestones
The Gophers have several standout players making headlines this season:
- Melani Shaffmaster: The redshirt senior setter recently surpassed the impressive milestone of 4,000 career assists, becoming only the eighth player in Gopher history to achieve this feat. Additionally, she is one of three players in the program to accumulate over 4,000 assists, 1,000 digs, and 300 kills.
- Phoebe Awoleye: Awoleye reached the 500 career blocks mark in a match against Auburn, making her one of only four active Division I players nationwide to achieve this milestone. Currently, she has a total of 510 blocks.
- Zeynep Palabiyik: The libero has been a defensive powerhouse, recording a career-high of 29 digs in a match against No. 23 Baylor. She leads the Big Ten with an average of 4.42 digs per set and has had five matches this season with over 20 digs.
- Triple-Double Achievements: Melani Shaffmaster is among only 21 players in the nation to have registered a triple-double this season, showcasing her versatility on the court. In a match against TCU, she recorded 10 kills, 47 assists, and 21 digs.
Recent Performance
The Gophers have shown impressive form leading up to this match, having achieved six consecutive sweeps to conclude their preseason schedule. This strong performance has set the stage for an exciting start to their Big Ten campaign.
Historically, Minnesota has a solid track record against Wisconsin at home, boasting a 31-12 record at the Pavilion. The Gophers have won 11 of the last 15 matchups against the Badgers at home, including a straight-sets victory in their last home meeting in 2022.
Streaks and Records
- Minnesota has won its last 12 home openers, with the last loss occurring in 2011 against Illinois.
- The Gophers have consistently performed well in NCAA tournaments, having won at least one postseason match in 14 consecutive tournaments.
- Of the 31 home wins against Wisconsin, 14 have been achieved via a clean sweep.
- Phoebe Awoleye ranks 9th among active Division I players with an average of 1.23 blocks per set and holds the 4th position for total blocks in the nation.
As the Gophers prepare to take on the Badgers, fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling match that promises to showcase the talent and determination of both teams. With the home crowd’s support and the players’ recent performances, Minnesota aims to continue its winning streak and make a strong statement in the Big Ten conference.
