The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team returns to non-conference action after a single game dip into Big Ten play when they host Alabama A&M at Williams Arena Wednesday night. It should be another blowout non-conference win for Minnesota who will be looking to shake the bad taste out of their conference opener last Sunday out of their mouths.
Minnesota lost to #7 Maryland last Sunday 100-99 in double overtime. The Gophers led by 14 point at half and blew that lead, then led by five points with 13 seconds left in the first overtime and blew that lead, and finally were up nine with 53 seconds to play in the second overtime period—and let Maryland close out on a 10-0 run to pick up the win. The less we say about that game the better, but it was just as bad a loss as you can imagine.
Minnesota now looks to Alabama A&M who come in with a 3-6 record this season. The Bulldogs played in the WNIT last season and have won their last two games beating Miles College 77-55 and Tuskegee 64-44 but both are DII schools. The Bulldogs have yet to defeat a DI opponent losing big to #12 Ole Miss, Alabama, Ball State, UAB, Cincinnati and Nevada Three players in Kaila Walker, Coriah Beck, and Moses Davenport are averaging in double figures, but the Bulldogs should be no match for Minnesota.
However, weirder things have happened. Alabama A&M is 1-0 in their oly meeting with the Gophers. The teams met in 2010, with the Bulldogs winning 75-68.
Minnesota has a pair of players looking to eclipse scoring milestones over the new few homes games. Following Sunday’s game, Mara Braun sits at 994 career points, while Grace Grocholski sits at 981. Grocholski scored 31 in the loss to Maryland making a career high nine three-pointers in the loss.
While it is still early, if the Gophers can be competitive in the Big Ten, they should have a decent chance to be NCAA Tournament bound. Minnesota comes in at No. 17 in this week’s NET rankings, one of nine Big Ten teams in the Top 25 in that ranking.
Tip is set for 7 PM and will stream on B1G+.
Minnesota closes out the home portion of the 2025 schedule on Sunday when they host Wyoming at 5 PM.
