Tag: Minnesota basketball

Minnesota basketball loses its top guard to the transfer portal

Wisconsin and Minnesota can agree on one thing:

Wisconsin basketball isn’t the only program getting hit hard by the transfer portal. The Minnesota Golden Gophers just saw their floor general and team leader Elijah Hawkins enter, in a move that Minnesota writer Tony Liebert calls ‘heavily driven by NIL.’

Hawkins averaged 33.3 minutes, 9.5 points and 7.5 assists for the 2023-24 Gophers. He is the program’s all-time record holder in assists in a game (17), assists in a single season (247) and assists in a postseason game (15). His transfer is tough news in what has otherwise been a positive offseason for head coach Ben Johnson and the Gophers.

Related: An updated list of Wisconsin basketball’s transfer portal targets

Wisconsin fans can draw a bit of a parallel. Three-year starting point guard Chucky Hepburn entered the portal last week after saying he’d return, and after recruiting top transfer wing Frankie Fidler to join the program.

Hawkins has apparently done the same. Just two weeks ago he said “I’m definitely coming back next year.” Now, like Hepburn, he’s in the portal weighing his options.

The current state of college athletics is challenging to grapple with. The worst part are examples like this one: a multi-year starter and program leader reportedly leaving for a big paycheck.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Wisconsin basketball pursuing former Minnesota transfer forward

Wisconsin basketball pursuing former Minnesota transfer forward

Wisconsin basketball has expressed interest in Minnesota transfer forward Pharrel Payne.

Payne entered the transfer portal on March 28 in what was called a huge loss for the Golden Gophers. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 10 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks on 60% shooting as a sophomore in 2023-24, improving on nearly every stat from his productive freshman season.

Related: An early look at the Wisconsin basketball roster entering 2024-25

The up-and-coming forward scored nine points on 3 of 10 shooting in Wisconsin’s 61-59 win over Minnesota this season. His best performance was a 21-point, 11-rebound outburst in the Golden Gophers’ 81-70 win over Rutgers.

The Portal Report notes Wisconsin is among the schools that have expressed interest in Payne along with Texas Tech, Texas, Indiana, Syracuse, Iowa State and Illinois.

Greg Gard’s team has a vacancy at power forward after Tyler Wahl’s graduation. Payne is one of the several forwards Wisconsin is reportedly in pursuit of.

For more on Wisconsin’s roster and transfer portal activity, check out Badgers Wire’s ongoing 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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This strange Minnesota missed dunk in the Big Ten tournament defied all logic and physics

This is as close to two points as you can get without getting two points.

During the men’s Big Ten tournament, Minnesota big man Pharrel Payne went to throw down an alley-oop dunk but somehow didn’t connect.

Payne was one of the conference leaders in dunks this season, per Bart Torvik, throwing down 37 and previously missing just one on the season. Somehow, however, luck was not on his side on this possession during this brutal loss against Michigan State.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

Despite a seemingly perfect opportunity for Payne, the ball ricocheted off the rim and didn’t go through the net. The field goal would have given Minnesota a lead in the game but was instead called basket interference on the offense.

All of the announcers on the broadcast, as well as Payne, were flabbergasted about how this was even possible.

Seriously: Take a look at this GIF! None of it makes any sense at all.

The ball just got stuck and refused to go through the rim for a bucket. It was as close to going in without actually going in. But as confusing as it was and while there is no logical explanation, it happened.

This was real life, even though it seemed like the result of divine intervention or a Buffalo Wild Wings advertisement.

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Still Alive: Badgers beat Minnesota 71-67 on Sunday

With postseason expectations on the line, Wisconsin travelled to Minnesota and beat the Gophers 71-67 on Sunday.

With postseason expectations on the line, Wisconsin travelled to Minnesota and beat the Gophers 71-67 on Sunday. The victory keeps the Badgers’ March Madness hopes alive.

With the team already locked into the 12 seed at the Big Ten Tournament this week (March 8-12), Greg Gard and his squad knew that they still needed a win over their arch-rival to bolster their chances of making the National Tournament.

Minnesota natives Tyler Wahl (Lakeville) and Steven Crowl (Eagan) led the way for Wisconsin, scoring 21 points each. Coincidentally, they both also compiled seven rebounds and two assists as well.

Paired with a clutch step-back three from Chucky Hepburn (11 points) with 47 seconds left to give the Badgers a 65-62 lead, Wisconsin was able to escape with the win after a series of free throws for both teams. The Badgers were able to go 2-0 versus their border rival this season.

Looking forward, #12 Wisconsin will take on #13 Ohio State on Wednesday night in Round 1 of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. The Badgers beat OSU 65-60 on Feb. 2 and are 2-0 against the Hawkeyes this season, so it’s possible they’ll be able to make some noise in the conference tournament.

As of right now, the team is far from a guarantee to be a part of March Madness, but if they can put together a couple more wins, they’ll be in a very solid sport ahead of the National Tournament.

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Wisconsin vs Minnesota Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Wisconsin vs Minnesota prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Wednesday.

Wisconsin vs Minnesota prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Wednesday, February 23

Wisconsin vs Minnesota How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, February 23
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: Williams Arena, Minneapolis, MN
How To Watch: BTN
Record: Wisconsin (21-5), Minnesota (13-12)
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Wisconsin vs Minnesota Game Preview

Why Wisconsin Will Win

The Badgers beat the Gophers 66-60 in late January, and it hasn’t worked out well for the Maroon and Gold ever since.

Minnesota has lost seven of its last nine games because the offense isn’t scoring enough, there aren’t enough rebounds at either end, and there isn’t enough ball movement.

Wisconsin hasn’t been steady, but it’s been able to find ways to win, getting through a literal fight with Michigan after rolling by Indiana on the road thanks to an offense that’s doing a nice job from the field.

Minnesota is last in the Big Ten in total rebounds, last in defense field goal percentage, and the extra passes and assists come and go, but …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Minnesota Will Win

Come up with a lot of assists, and things work out well for the Gophers.

They made 20 assist against Penn State, and won. They came up with 22 against Northwestern, and won. They have a hard time from three, they don’t generate enough takeaways to come up with transition points, and offensive rebounds are a rumor. But pass the ball around well and good things happen.

Wisconsin might not turn the ball over, but it doesn’t come up with any steals and it’s last in the Big Ten in assists. The D has allowed 11 or more assists in five of the last six games, but …

– Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Yeah, the rebounds.

Wisconsin isn’t great at cranking them up, but Minnesota is a disaster at times on the boards. It has come up with double-digit offensive rebounds just once, and it’s not going to do enough on either end to take care of the misfires.

That, and the Minnesota offense just doesn’t score enough – 2022 has been rough.

Wisconsin vs Minnesota Prediction, Lines

Wisconsin 73, Minnesota 63
Line: Wisconsin -4.5, o/u: 135
ATS Confidence out of 5: 4

Must See Rating: 2

5: A shorter baseball season with more games that matter
1: Baseball season during football season

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2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams

Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Minnesota vs Ohio State prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Tuesday.

Minnesota vs Ohio State prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, February 15

Minnesota vs Ohio State How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, February 15
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
How To Watch: BTN
Record: Minnesota (12-10), Ohio State (15-6)
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Minnesota vs Ohio State Game Preview

Why Minnesota Will Win

Well there we go.

Minnesota wasn’t playing all that poorly, but it wasn’t winning. It finally got things to fall, the free throw shooting was finally great, and the team came up with a win over Penn State.

It’s good enough from the outside to stay around, but it has to crank up the rebounding to stay in the game. Ohio State doesn’t get a whole lot of rebounds – Minnesota needs to own the offensive boards and needs a whole lot of second chance points.

Ohio State doesn’t pressure enough to generate steals for easy points, Minnesota doesn’t turn the ball over, and …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Ohio State Will Win

The Gopher defense doesn’t force mistakes, either, and it’s going to need them.

Why can’t Minnesota win? It gets destroyed in rebounding margin, and now, it doesn’t get enough offensive rebounds. Again, Ohio State is hardly a demon on the glass, and it came up with 44 rebounds in the first meeting – at 75-64 Buckeye win.

To make this easy, it’s going to be all about Ohio State’s shooting. It’s been great over the last six games – even in the losses – both inside and out, and Minnesota isn’t making enough shots.

Worse than that, the Gophers aren’t manufacturing points by getting to the line – they haven’t made double-digit free throws in any game since 2021.

Ohio State won’t help them. It doesn’t commit enough fouls.

– Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Ohio State is unbeatable at home.

It’s only had ten games in Value City so far thanks to weather issues and timing, but it has made the most of them going 10-0.

It’s not destroying teams at home, and it’s a painfully inconsistent team at times, but it’s good for close to 50% from the field every time out in the familiar surroundings.

Minnesota has its moments when it shoots really, really well, but not on the road.

Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction, Lines

Ohio State 76, Minnesota 62
Line: Ohio State -13, o/u: 140.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Aaron Donald
1: Those who pretend to be offended by the Super Bowl halftime show

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2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams

Purdue vs Minnesota College Basketball Prediction, Game Preview

Purdue vs Minnesota prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Wednesday.

Purdue vs Minnesota prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Wednesday, February 2

Purdue vs Minnesota How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, February 2
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Williams Arena, Minneapolis, MN
How To Watch: BTN
Record: Purdue (18-3), Minnesota (11-7)
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Purdue vs Minnesota Game Preview

Why Purdue Will Win

Minnesota can’t seem to get the scoring punch going. It’s struggling to get to 70 points – doing that just once over the last seven games – without enough happening from three and without the offensive rebounds to generate second chances.

And on the opposite side is Purdue. It’s been able to find its outside groove over the last few games nailing 33 three over the last three games, and when it wasn’t quite on against Ohio State, the rebounding made up for it.

Kentucky is the only team hitting the glass better than the Boilermakers – this is going to get ugly whenever the ball is available. But …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Minnesota Will Win

Can the Gophers be more efficient when their offensive possessions?

They’re not scoring in bunches and they’re not great at making the extra pass, but they do a whole lot of things right. They don’t turn the ball over, they don’t commit fouls, and they’re fantastic at getting to the arc and bothering outside shooting teams.

Purdue has a good inside game, but it blows teams out by being among the best teams in the nation from three – again, especially lately. Minnesota can slow that down, but …

– Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Minnesota just doesn’t score enough. It’ll hit from the outside when it takes its shots, but it’s too cautious and careful.

The losses haven’t been all that ugly, and the team is able score on the inside, but Purdue is playing too well, it’s too strong on the outside, and it’ll go on a run that should break the Gophers early in the second half.

Purdue vs Minnesota Prediction, Lines

Purdue 75, Minnesota 66
Line: Purdue -10.5, o/u: 142.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: Nadal – Medvedev Australian Open Final
1: The shirts Nadal and Medvedev wore in the Australian Open Final

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2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen. Early Entrants
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Edge | DEs/DTs | LBs | CBs | Safeties | P/Ks
Top 30 2021 NFL Draft Early Entrants
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Previewing No. 11 Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (16-3, 7-2 Big Ten) play host to the Minnesota Gophers (11-6, 2-6 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center on Sunday.

The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (16-3, 7-2 Big Ten) return to the court Sunday for a matinee game against the Minnesota Gophers (11-6, 2-6 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers have won eight of their last nine games, most recently beating Nebraska 73-65 on the road on Thursday, and are currently tied for first in the Big Ten.

The Gophers on the other hand have dropped four of their last five games, and have yet to win a match-up against a top 25 opponent this season (0-3). Additionally, Minnesota has only won two games in Madison since 1994 (2009, 2019).

The Badgers are led by National Player of the Year candidate Johnny Davis, along with veterans Brad Davison and Tyler Wahl. The trio currently accounts for 66% of the team’s overall scoring output.

 

Notable KenPom Rankings:

Wisconsin: 26th ranked team, 31st in ADJ Offense, 1st in turnover%.

Minnesota: 93rd ranked team, 323rd in ADJ tempo , 9th in turnover%.

 

Minnesota projected starters:

Guard: Payton Willis (16.2 ppg, 4.6 apg)

Guard: Luke Loewe (7.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Guard: Eylijah Stephens (11.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Forward: Jamison Battle (17.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Forward: Eric Curry (8.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

 

Wisconsin projected starters:

Guard: Chucky Hepburn (7.4 ppg, 2.1 apg)

Guard: Brad Davison (15.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Guard: Johnny Davis (21.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg)

Forward: Tyler Wahl (10.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Center: Steven Crowl (9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

 

Wisconsin is (16-1) when scoring 61 or more points, while losing both of the games that they failed to reach that mark.

UW currently has six quad one wins, which is the second most in the country right now. They’re also 9-1 this season in games decided by six or fewer points, and 3-0 in one possession games.

The Badgers tip off at noon CT. on BTN.

 

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Minnesota vs Wisconsin prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Saturday.

Minnesota vs Wisconsin prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 30

Minnesota vs Wisconsin How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 30
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
How To Watch:
Record: Minnesota (11-6), Wisconsin (16-3)
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Game Preview

Why Minnesota Will Win

The Gophers have to make this a bit of a grind.

They don’t make mistakes – they turned the ball over just two times in the loss to Ohio State a few days ago – and they’re fantastic at getting out and pressuring the three.

Wisconsin leads the nation in fewest turnovers per game, but it doesn’t force takeaways and it’s lousy at consistently hitting from the outside.

As long as Minnesota can keep this close, hit the offensive boards from time to time- just a few would be a plus – and hit its own threes – it makes them when it takes them – it’ll stay alive.

However …

– NFL Mock Draft: First 1st round mock

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Minnesota doesn’t do much on the boards.

There are plenty of good parts to the Gopher team despite the ugly losing slide, but it really doesn’t force teams to screw up and it’s last in the Big Ten on the offensive glass.

There isn’t enough of an inside presence, and there’s not enough happening from outside, and there aren’t a whole ton of transition points.

Wisconsin isn’t a monster on the glass, but Minnesota should be one-and-done way too often.

– AP college basketball top 25

What’s Going To Happen

This should be a clean game. The two teams don’t turn the ball over and they don’t get hit with a ton of fouls.

It should be a bit of a battle for a while, but Minnesota just doesn’t have the scoring punch to go on the run needed to push through. It won’t be a total wipeout, but the Badgers should be relatively comfortable late.

Minnesota is 8-0 when scoring 71 or more and 3-7 when it doesn’t. Wisconsin won’t give up 71.

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Prediction, Lines

Wisconsin 75, Minnesota 67
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

Must See Rating: 3

5: Championship Sunday
1: No football on Saturday

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2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen. Early Entrants
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Edge | DEs/DTs | LBs | CBs | Safeties | P/Ks
Top 30 2021 NFL Draft Early Entrants
2022 NFL Draft Early Entrants By College

Ohio State basketball vs. Minnesota: How to watch and listen to the game Thursday

Ohio State heads to Minneapolis to take on the Golden Gophers in “The Barn”. Here’s how to find the game.

Ohio State basketball has been on a bit of a break after Nebraska had to pull out of their scheduled contest due to COVID-19 protocols late last week. The Buckeyes will be back in action as they head to Minneapolis to take on the Golden Gophers in Williams Arena on Thursday.

Minnesota boasts a solid record of 11-5, but land toward the bottom of the Big Ten standings with just a 2-5 record. The Gophers only two wins in the conference have come against Michigan early in the season and a recent defeat of Rutgers.

This will be a good challenge for Chris Holtmann’s squad as Big Ten road games are never easy. If you’re looking for the game, we have everything you need to know to find it.

NEXT … Television, streaming, and radio information

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