Our “10 for 20” series on the questions or challenges facing non-Wisconsin Big Ten basketball programs in the 2020s begins with the enemy in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Golden Gophers made the Final Four in 1997, but they did so under a wayward Clem Haskins regime which wasn’t NCAA-compliant. They haven’t been back since. More than that, they haven’t made a single Sweet 16 in the past 22 years. They have won two NCAA Tournament games total.
When Tubby Smith landed Royce White, he seemed to have found the breakthrough player who could make Minnesota basketball a top-tier power — or at least a strong second-tier program — in the Big Ten. However, White never did play for the Gophers due to off-court troubles. He eventually transferred to and played for Iowa State, where he won an NCAA Tournament game and showed how well he could play. Royce White is the biggest “what if?” for Minnesota basketball from the 2010s.
As the scene shifts to the 2020s and the future of the Gophers, the big question seems to be this: Can Minnesota ever stack together consecutive quality seasons? It is noticeable how elusive back-to-back good seasons are — and have been — in Williams Arena. Get this, part one: Minnesota has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances ONCE in the past 24 seasons, in 2009 and 2010. Get this, part two: The last time Minnesota made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances as a single-digit seed was 1994 (a 6 seed) and 1995 (an 8 seed). When the Gophers made the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Tournaments, they were a double-digit seed both years. Under Tubby Smith and now under Richard Pitino, the refrain remains the same for Minnesota basketball: The Gophers might have one relatively good season, but they lose the momentum the following year. This program ping-pongs back and forth between hope and mediocrity.
Minnesota would love to sustain momentum as a program, but it never can seem to do just that. It’s wonderful from a Wisconsin fan’s point of view. We will see if the 2020s create a more consistent Minnesota basketball program. Badger fans hope the Gophers never find the magic formula.