Gophers Women to Open 2026-27 Basketball Season Monday
The No. 17 ranked Minnesota Gophers will host Harvard in Minneapolis to kick off their new basketball season.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball
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The Minnesota Gophers women's basketball team begins its 2026-27 campaign on Monday with a home opener against Harvard. Coming off a Sweet 16 finish in the NCAA Tournament last spring, the squad enters the season ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press preseason poll.
Why it matters
The program looks to sustain momentum after returning to the NCAA Tournament last spring for the first time since 2018. Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit continues her leadership of the team as they integrate three new transfers into the rotation.
The Gophers enter the season ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press preseason poll. This marks the program's highest preseason standing since the 2005-06 campaign.
The players
Dawn Plitzuweit
She is in her fourth season as the head coach of the Minnesota Gophers women's basketball program.
Tori McKinney
She is a junior guard for the Minnesota Gophers who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.
Mara Braun
She is a returning starter for the Gophers who provides continuity for the team's backcourt.
Grace Grocholski
She is a returning starter for the Minnesota Gophers who will be a key contributor this season.
The details
Junior guard Tori McKinney will miss the entire season following a knee injury diagnosed on October 17. Despite this loss, the team features returning starters Mara Braun and Grace Grocholski as they aim to build on their performance from last spring.
Timeline
The Gophers host Harvard for the season opener on November 2, 2026.
Tori McKinney was diagnosed with a knee injury on October 17, 2026.
The team reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament in the spring of 2026.
The team last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2018 prior to 2026.
The team previously held a similar AP ranking during the 2005-06 season.
Season Trajectory
The Gophers aim to validate their current ranking by building on the momentum from the 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run. Their performance in this opening stretch will determine if they can maintain status as a top-tier contender despite the absence of key players like Tori McKinney.
With Tori McKinney sidelined for the year, the Gophers will need immediate production from their three incoming transfers to maintain their rotation. Fans should monitor the starting lineup during Monday's home game to see how coach Dawn Plitzuweit adjusts the backcourt distribution.
The takeaway
The Gophers enter this season with high expectations after their deep tournament run last spring. Establishing early chemistry with new transfers will be critical for success, especially following the injury to their backcourt rotation.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Tribune.
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