Winless Big Ten starts

The Gophers never have made the modern NCAA tournament after starting the Big Ten with a three-or-more-game losing streak. Here’s a look at those seasons since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985:

Big Ten

Season start Final record Season notes

1985-86 0-3 15-16, 5-13 Opened with three road losses in a row.

1987-88 0-5 10-18, 4-14 Clem Haskins’ second season started badly and crashed.

1997-98* 0-6 20-15, 6-10 Team recovered, but was 13-14 at end of regular season.

2003-04 0-8 12-18, 3-13 First Big Ten victory didn’t come until Feb. 11.

2005-06 0-6 16-15, 5-11 Streak included triple-overtime loss at Iowa.

2011-12 0-4 23-15, 6-12 Team recovered but later lost six in a row to fall off bubble.

2014-15 0-5 TBD They will need a big winning streak to reach NCAAs.

* Season later vacated because of academic scandal