Minnesota Hosts St. Thomas in First Matchup in 92 Years
The Gophers host the Tommies Friday night in the first men's basketball meeting between the two schools since 1934.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Minnesota men's basketball hosts St. Thomas on Friday night in the first men's matchup between the schools in 92 years. Minnesota expects around 10,000 fans for the game at its 14,000-seat arena.
Why it matters
The game brings a rare in-state matchup to Minneapolis and draws attention to St. Thomas, a sixth-year Division I program that made a direct jump from Division III. Extra ticket sales do not factor into NCAA Tournament selection, and because St. Thomas competes in the Summit League, the game will not boost Minnesota's strength of schedule.
Minnesota expects around 10,000 fans in its 14,000-seat arena, after topping 10,000 twice last season against Wisconsin and Nebraska. St. Thomas won 48 games over the last two years and ranked 113th last season, compared with Minnesota's 82nd.
The players
University of Minnesota
The Big Ten university whose men's basketball program hosts the game at its arena in Minneapolis.
University of St. Thomas
A private university based in St. Paul whose men's basketball program is in its sixth year as a Division I team and competes in the Summit League.
The details
The game is the first men's basketball matchup between the two schools in 92 years, and the campuses sit just 3 miles apart, separated by the Mississippi River. The arena is officially named The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Timeline
Friday night: Minnesota vs. St. Thomas men's basketball game.
Last season: Minnesota drew over 10,000 fans twice.
March: The NCAA selection committee is expected to label the game a third-tier contest for Minnesota.
Season Trajectory
Under the NCAA quadrant system, which ranks all 365 teams and sorts results into four groups for at-large bids, this game will likely be classified as a third-tier contest for Minnesota once the committee convenes in March. Because St. Thomas plays in the Summit League, the result will not move Minnesota's strength of schedule.
Fans attending Friday's game will see a crowd that could approach the arena's 14,000-seat capacity, with the Gophers having topped 10,000 twice last season. For fantasy and roster watchers, the game offers a look at how Minnesota handles a non-conference opponent ranked well below its own standing.
The takeaway
The game is a one-time in-state meeting, and because St. Thomas sits in the Summit League, its result will not shape Minnesota's tournament resume. Fans should treat it as a regional attraction rather than a signal of future scheduling.
What happens next
The NCAA selection committee will evaluate the game when it convenes in March.
Further reading
For more on the program, see Basketball coverage of Minneapolis teams.
