The Wisconsin Badgers take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their game tonight on Peacock at 6 pm. It's another opportunity for Wisconsin to earn a Big 10 win and a favorite win over the rival Golden Gophers. It should be a battle that comes easy for Wisconsin, as much as you never know in college basketball.
According to rankings, Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the Big 10. They are 152nd in NET rankings, 110 in KenPom, and 0-4 so far in Big 10 play. According to one bracketologist, JBR Bracketology, they are (essentially) eliminated from at-large contention.
Minnesota Golden Gophers become our 8th power conference school eliminated from at-large contention, and our first from the Big Ten.
— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) January 7, 2025
At 8-7 (0-4), 0-6 vs Quad 1+2, a Quad 3 loss, predictive metrics outside the top 100, and projected underdogs in all 16 remaining games, I feel… https://t.co/NYQbNZFOJF
Bracketologist has already determined that Minnesota's record is too bad to come back from and has elminated the Golden Gophers from March Madness.
JBR Bracketology works throughout the season to figure out who's in and who's out of the NCAA Tournament. Based on the resume already that Minnesota has put forth, this bracketologist has reasoned that they dug the hole too deep to come out of. Here's what he said, if you can't read the whole social media post:
"Minnesota Golden Gophers become our 8th power conference school eliminated from at-large contention, and our first from the Big Ten.JBR Bracketology
At 8-7 (0-4), 0-6 vs Quad 1+2, a Quad 3 loss, predictive metrics outside the top 100, and projected underdogs in all 16 remaining games, I feel confident the Golden Gophers will not be dancing in 2025.
This will be Minnesota's 6th consecutive season missing the NCAA Tournament, including 0 appearances in all four years under HC Ben Johnson."
It's a sad state of affairs over in Minnesota, and Wisconsin has to capitalize tonight against a floundering rival. Greg Gard won't want his team to take their foot off the gas; in many ways, neither will the players. There is a chance that Wisconsin will be missing their starting guard, Max Klesmit, but that won't be a good excuse to play poorly. There was room for improvement in the win over Rutgers, and tonight is the night to see it before the schedule gets much tougher.